Freya
Things are looking up for me in my new Minnesota home. My bestie’s husband hooked me up with a great apartment above the hockey bar where I currently work, and I’ve got a great side gig bringing in plenty of cash to help fund my patisserie cocktail lounge. Life is sweet. My new neighbor, on the other hand, is not.
When he reveals his true self, I hate what I find. Until more of him unravels, proving we have more in common than I realized, and I don’t mean we both enjoy rock climbing or outdoor concerts. No, we have the good stuff—shared trauma. The only difference is I came out on the other side, and he’s still fighting his demons. I promised myself I’d never let that negativity back into my life again, but my heart tells me Rhys is worth it. However, this time I’ll hold my ground and protect myself.
Rhys
Hockey comes first. Always has, always will. Women aren’t going to be a distraction for me in my rookie year, where every single game feels like a try-out. I’ve got a one-year contract, 365 days to prove to them I’m worth the investment—which is why I need to stay far away from my neighbor across the hall. She thinks we’re strangers, but we know each other quite well–-and I plan on keeping it that way.
Unfortunately, she’s impossible to ignore. She’s everywhere. Across the hall, on my computer screen, working at the bar where my team hangs out. Freya is like a loose thread that I can’t stop tugging. Toying with her is fun. Then one night, she steps in to do a favor for me, and all my defenses get shot to hell. She does something I wouldn’t ask of anyone, and she does it without thinking twice because she’s been in my shoes before. Now I’m showing her the real me, but it might not be enough for her.
