I never saw this Christmas gift coming

When my ex-wife lands in rehab, I get a surprise for the holidays. A 7-year-old girl whos got no place to go. I love my former stepdaughter like shes my own, but I have no idea how to give her everything she needs.

In a holiday-crazed town like Christmas Falls, it seems inevitable Ill let her down.

Unless I finally let go of my pride an accept help from the new director of the Holiday Hope Foundation. Mason West is eager to lend support however he can. And when I let him, he goes above and beyond.

For Charlies sake. Not mine. Even if I maybe, kind of, wish that it was for me.

Ive never been into men before, but Mason is so sweet, so giving, soperfectly sized to snuggle in against my holiday sweater. Maybe if I can figure out what all this means, I can gain more than a daughter for the holidays.

Maybe I can keep the gift I’ve always wanted most—a family of my own.

He was my best friend, and now I hate him. So why do I keep kissing him?

There was a time Ash and I were inseparable.

When I moved high schools, we went from friends to rivals. I could deal with that. But when he hooked up with my ex-girlfriend? We became enemies overnight.

The Ozarks is a big lake, but somehow hes always in my way. First at a flashy rival boat company, where were always knockin boats on booze cruises. Sometimes literally.

Now at the newly redeveloped Swallow Cove resort where Im based.

Ash has some hair-brained idea to run a food boat for the resort. Its a silly fad that will never last. All flash and no substance, like him.

But now theres no avoiding the guy. Or his annoying face and perfect hair and cocky smiles always flashing my way.

Ash has always gotten whatever he wanted. My sports trophies. My ex-girlfriend. A job with *my* friends.

But as tension mounts between us and the heat of anger boils over into lust, I start to wonder:

What if the thing he wants most is me?

I've been in love with Hudson Nash for years, but he's too stubborn to admit he wants me too. For a whole bunch of stupid reasons.

Like the fact I'm too young. (What's a twenty-year gap? Age is just a number, am I right?)

And a virgin. (Which he could easily fix!)

And maybe not the best choice, given he and my dad hate each other. (It's not that ba— Okay, it is that bad, but our love could totally rise above, right? It would be epic!)

I see the way he watches me like a starving man. The heat in his eyes when I flirt with him. The longing that he feels too.

If Hudson won't stop pushing me away, I'm just going to have to show him what he's missing.

I'll flirt with the pretty boy tourists who come my way. Or maybe the gruff but sexy boat tour operators. Heck, I'll flirt with the dang fish if that's what it takes for Hudson to make a move.

I'll be a total dock tease—until Hudson makes me his.

Because I'm not a tease at all. Not for the right man.

My friends are all about the romance. Me? I've got other things to worry about.

Carrying on my uncle's little record store–his legacy–means everything to me.

Too bad a big entertainment store is opening across the street. The owner, Chase Fox, is too friendly, too smooth–too annoying. He knows I'm straight, and his competition besides, and still he flirts with me.

My only comfort is the new friend I met on the SeattleLife site. We never exchanged real names, and I don't know if they're a guy or a girl, but there's a freedom in that. I can say anything to them without holding back.

But as time goes on, I get more curious. And more confused.

Could my online pal be more than a friend? Even if they're not a woman?

And why are Chase's flirty smiles suddenly giving me flutters and making me wish for the impossible–that my business rival and my closest online friend might actually be the same guy.

A guy meant to be mine.

Hes only playing boyfriend to protect me, but Brooks Riggins is everything I need.

After leaving my toxic boyfriend, I flee to my family vacation home in Swallow Cove. Which takes me directly into the path of broody bar manager Brooks Riggins.

Hes large and intimidating, but with a protective streak that I didnt see coming. When my ex gives me trouble, Brooks tells him to take a hike. Not only that, he also claims to be my new man.

Brooks is as straight as they come, but hes ready to step up and play the part.

In fact, it may not just be pretend, judging by the way Brooks looks at me. Especially when he catches sight of me in the lingerie I sometimes wear.

My ex said the lingerie made me too feminine. Too weak.

Just a pretty boy.

But as Brooks hands me all the power I need to heal and be intimate again, I can finally see the truth.

I am apretty boy, and it doesnt make me weak at all.

In fact, I never have to be weak again.

But can I be strong enough to trust another man with my heart?

Sometimes you have to fight for true love.

When my boyfriend dumps me to find someone more serious in law school, Im devastated but not defeated. I just have to show him I have brains as well as brawn, right?

Thankfully, my best friend Jordan is ready and willing to help me get into law school and prove myself. Only when I get there, ready to reclaim my man, Clays move on.

To the snarkiest gay boy Ive ever met.

And theyre engaged!

Its a terrible shock, but Jordan keeps me going. When Im ostracized from a study group, he helps me prepare for exams. When Im set up to make a fool of myself at a college party, hes there to rescue me.

I land an internship to work on a real legal case, so it seems its all paid off. And most surprising of all? I love this lawyering thing!

Clayton, on the other hand, is looking less appealing by the day.

Jordan is the one I want to talk to morning and night. The one I can count on to support me. The one whoI really want to kiss?

Whoa. Maybe its time to review the evidence and decide once and for all.

Have I been fighting for the wrong man? And will Jordan forgive me that justice has been so blind?

Because Im pretty sure of the verdict now.

Ive fallen in love with my best friend.