English professor Gavin Dozier hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love. When his last boyfriend cheated on him, he was driven to experiment with women. Sex with Marian, though, had its own dangers, and before he knew it, he was a father. Now estranged, the only thing Gavin and Marian have in common is their daughter Evie, a precocious seven-year-old who stays with Gavin every other weekend. While out with her daddy, Evie meets the heavily-tattooed Brody Phelps, a sketch artist with serious talent who still dresses like a brooding punk rocker, even though he’s in his thirties. Brody is instantly attracted to the sexy college professor, but knows Gavin is out of his league -- the man has a kid, which probably means he isn’t gay, and besides, Brody never even graduated from high school. Guys like Gavin don’t go for guys like him. But when Evie leaves Gavin’s cell phone behind, Brody has the perfect excuse to meet up with them again. To his surprise they hit it off, and when he asks Gavin out, the professor accepts. Even though Evie brought them together, will her demanding personality pull them apart? Is Gavin ready to trust his heart to someone else again? Can Brody overcome his own fears of inadequacy and let Gavin in? And what will Marian have to say when the father of her child starts dating again?

Never Met a Stranger

Fortunately he doesn’t have to admit he doesn’t remember her name, because when she sees Evie, the student drops into a squat and introduces herself. “Hi, there! I’m Macy. I’m in your daddy’s class.”


Macy, got it.That wasn’t even one of the names he’d remembered.


“I like your hair,” Evie says, reaching out a small hand to touch the glossy blonde braid hanging over Macy’s shoulder. “Can you braid my hair? Daddy couldn’t get it right so I got theseinstead.” She flicks one of her ponytails, obviously annoyed.


Macy glances at Gavin. “We’ll see. How about a bite to eat?” She doesn’t wait for an answer, but stands and smiles at him. “Thank you somuch for agreeing to meet with me, Professor D. Your daughter’s adorable. She looks just like you.”


“Actually, she favors her mother.” Gavin opens the door to the restaurant and holds it for Evie.


When Macy dips in under his arm, he sees her looking at his hand for a ring. Obvious, much?


Chapter 7