Love Him But Didn't Mean To

She already had her forever. He wasn't part of the plan.

Maggie O'Connor had a marriage most people only dream about. Then she lost her husband. Now she has a classroom full of kids who almost always listen, a book club that feels like family, and a coffee shop that knows her order by heart.

Evan Asher spent twenty years playing professional baseball. Steady. Reliable. The kind of player teams counted on. Retirement brought him back to Pennsylvania. A kayaking trip to Maplemoor brought him to The Brewhouse, where a quiet Wednesday stop wasn't supposed to mean anything.

Until it did.

Maggie isn't looking for a second chance. Evan isn't sure he believes in coincidence.

What they had was a long time ago, when they were different versions of themselves.

But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to pretend this is just two people catching up.

Because the year Maggie lost the love of her life, Evan retired from his.

And she's not sure she can risk building something new when she knows exactly how easily it can end.