He’s only a friend.

Those words had haunted him from the moment Jessie James had noticed them muttered from the lady who kept his heart, and whom he thought had his back again.

Fourteen years later, he still feels those words just like a brand on his soul.

Lucky for him he has a son to spotlight, a full-time job that demands his attention all of those other day, and not a single minute to extra for a female who won’t stand up for him when he needs her the most.

He’s only a pal.

The words had slipped about The Beard Made Me Do It out of Ellen’s mouth area, and before she could recall them, or better yet, explain them, Jesse is gone from her lifestyle for good, taking her heart with him.

She tries to move on, to climb her way out of the pit of despair, but not a unitary person-regardless of how badly she wants to make it work-can fill the void that was left in his wake.

Period heals all wounds.

Or at least that is how the stating goes.

It’s a crock of crap, though.

Fourteen years move when Jessie and Ellen see each other again without the influence of the city and bad memories encircling them, and it’s as if not a day has passed.

Ellen knows the moment that her eye see her old love that she’s still just as deeply in love with him today as she was those years ago.

The problem is that Jesse wants nothing in connection with her. Or at least that’s what he maintains telling himself.

Contains mature themes.