Finding Forever
Stand Alones
Rule number one of co-parenting: Don’t fall for your ex’s new lover’s ex.
Too late.
I’m Gina — single mom, peacekeeper, and reluctant participant in a beach vacation with my unreliable ex for the sake of our son. I wasn’t planning on meeting Maverick — confident, magnetic, and maddeningly attentive.
Even worse? He’s my ex’s new girlfriend’s ex-husband.
When our exes take off together, Maverick and I are left juggling two disappointed kids and a simmering attraction neither of us expected.
He believes we deserve a shot at something real. I think we’re playing with fire.
He thinks our pasts don't define our future. I think the mess we're creating might destroy us all.
But when custody battles and family drama threaten what matters most, we have to decide:
Is this the start of forever—or a disaster we won’t come back from?
“You’re special, Gina,” he whispered, his breath warm against my face.
His statement left no room for argument. His voice was filled with conviction, and for once, I silenced the voice in my head, the one that always told me I wasn’t good enough, and let myself believe the good things someone said.
“Maybe we can get a sitter and have a grown-up dinner. Just the two of us?” Maverick suggested, his voice hopeful, his fingers playing with the soft curls at the nape of my neck.
As much as I wanted to lose myself in the fantasy of a romantic dinner with Maverick, I had my doubts. And I voiced them. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Victoria and Chris are in a relationship, it would seem...” I trailed off. Our ex-spouses had already called shotgun on any chance of happiness for us.
“I don’t care,” Maverick said firmly, his grip on my neck tightening slightly, his eyes flashing with determination. “I want more of your time. No one controls our life but us. They have their thing, and it has nothing to do with us.”
“It has everything to do with us, Maverick. Can’t you see? They’re the reason we met in the first place. They’re the reason our kids knew each other before this trip. They’re the reason we spent so much time together these last two weeks. It all comes back to them. Please tell me you see that,” I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion.
“The only thing I care about is getting more of your undivided attention,” Maverick said softly, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped my eye, his touch gentle and comforting.
I sputtered, trying to make him understand, my mind racing with all the reasons why this couldn’t work. “But it’s not that easy,” I said, my eyes searching his for any sign of doubt or hesitation.
“Who said anything about easy? I’m a grown man, Gina. I don’t shy away from a challenge,” Maverick said, his voice filled with confidence, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
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