Let me just say this upfront: I have zero plans to fall for Ian Kendrick. Not after my recent breakup. Not with all the embarrassing memories I’m sure he still has of me from when we were kids. And definitely not while we’re living a few feet apart, because if it doesn’t work out, things will get super awkward.

My mom’s last gift came with two surprises: an unexpected inheritance from the father I never knew, and one unforgettable summer in Aspen Lake. Her only request? Complete the bucket list she left for me. Simple enough—until I saw that one item written in bold: HAVE A SUMMER FLING.

Every Tuesday, my best friend and I get together to watch spy movies, and I dream of a secret agent sweeping me off my feet. Imagine my surprise when a) one actually does, b) I don’t realize he’s a spy (even though “secret” is in the job title, so I should’ve seen that coming), and c) his mission is to protect me. For the record: I don’t need protecting. But if I did, Jace would be my top pick. I have more fun and feel more connected during the 10 minutes when he’s rescuing me from a blind date than I’ve had in the past several years of dating combined.

Shaw Daniels is the bane of my existence. Always has been. Always will be. When we were kids, he annoyed me to no end by being good at everything. He didn’t have to study or really even try. Meanwhile, I tried too much and still lost to him. Then when we were teenagers, our rivalry became twisted. He started sabotaging all my relationships. I retaliated by doing the same to him. Now, we’re adults and we should be able to move on. But when I become a physical therapist for his professional hockey team, it seems as though we can’t let go of our rival tendencies.

Being a professional hockey player means I'm no stranger to fights. But when a run-in with a fan threatens my spot on the Atlanta Glaciers, everything is on the line. Enter Nila, the social media guru my managers hired to combat this PR crisis. The fiery bombshell has a clever little plan to "salvage my reputation." And now I'm forced to play nice on the platforms I've always avoided. Her sunny disposition clashes with my gruff exterior. Yet her fierce resolve intrigues me more than I care to admit. Given my reputation, she keeps me at arm's length.