UNKNOWN

Unlucky me. That’s what I’ve believed ever since I lost my mom at age thirteen. From then on, my life has spiraled. My two siblings, however, have managed to pick themselves up from the ruins and carry on—but I could never seem to do that. While my brother and sister inherited all my mom’s creative, loving, and charismatic genes, I didn’t get any of that. Just my dad’s bitterness. I know I’ve let everyone down, including myself, but I have gotten really good at running from my problems.

That’s why I never thought I would come crawling back to Portland, Maine, again—let alone as a pregnant, broke college dropout. By leaving California, I’m walking away from the life I built for myself—though it was never on a solid foundation to begin with—to escape a terrible relationship . . . only to be sleeping in my childhood bedroom without a plan for my future. Now at rock bottom, I’m forced to face the mistakes I’ve made, the relationships I’ve abandoned, and the people I’ve hurt.

Slowly—begrudgingly—I’m learning that I don’t have to do it alone. Even when I’m at this new low in my life, in walks the sweetest man to ever exist: Harvey Brindle. Through all the chaos, unknowns, and milestones, Harvey sticks by me when he could easily discard me like every other man I know.

But I have sworn off love—and men in general. Harvey is just a friend. A best friend. Our talks over steaming mugs of tea soothe the broken parts of me. And the way he helped me assemble a stroller, with his brilliant smile and gentle words of encouragement . . . he’s the first person to truly see me. As much as I could see myself falling for Harvey (and I have imagined it many times), it’s simply not happening. Who could possibly love a damaged, self-destructive woman pregnant with another man’s child?