After Aliana Marshal watched the man she loved walk down the aisle and vow eternity–to her sister–she set out to create her own happily ever after. Putting her heart and soul into her steel-art, Ali opened Steele & Magnolias, a premiere garden art shop, and all of her hard work is about to finally pay off. Only her sister’s idea of eternity ended when Hawk’s hockey career went down in flames. Now Hawk is single, back home, and he owns the bar right next door. Even worse, Ali’s feelings for him are far from just friendly.

Former NHL superstar, Bradley Hawk spends his nights in The Penalty Box serving the best hard cider in Washington–and his after hours serving the beautiful ladies of Destiny Bay. His days, well, those he spends thinking up new ways to infuriate his ex-sister-in-law. Between her rules of business conduct and neighborly advice the woman needs to learn how to enjoy life a little. And he’s just the guy to help. So when he hears she needs a date for a party, his hero complex kicks in and he volunteers. Only, it isn’t just any party–it’s an engagement party for his ex-wife. And the only way to get through the night is to convince Bridget he’s over her.

Flirting with Ali feels too good to stop, and when they fall into bed together they take the faux right out of their fauxmance. But just as things start to get real, Bridget calls off the wedding and Hawk is stuck between the woman he’d dreamed of winning back … and the one he can’t imagine letting go.