Zoey was even more fascinating than when he’d first met her. That initial encounter would be something he’d never forget. When he’d turned around in her bathroom, it was like she was holding out an emotional life ring meant just for him. It was an offering. A plea to connect. A gift really, and while it was laced with pain and confusion, it also held immense strength. He bet she had no idea that when she’d told him about her fear of dying and looked at him with both hope and despair over how she’d put another man’s life in jeopardy, that a frozen piece of his heart had cracked. Now, she was giving him another opportunity. Not only did Pete want to know her better, he was thrilled that she wanted to learn something about him. Him! Broken Pete Banks. For the last ten years, he’d put a lot of sweat equity into building his business. Stayed on the job site for long hours and earned a lot of money. He tried to tell himself it was for his future, but deep inside he knew it was to earn his father’s love.
