She said as much to India when they all met for the Christmas parade later that day. It was hugely fun for the kids, waiting for the hometown processional to pass by. Everyone was bundled up, faces aglow in the twinkling lights.

Darcy kept sneaking glances at Logan, who was like a human jungle gym crawling with nieces and nephews. He looked impossibly sexy to her, even covered in small children. At his side, Charlie was a smaller, cherub-faced version of him, reveling in the excitement of the holidays. In his own way, Charlie was as dangerous to her heart as his father, because when she looked at him, something happened inside her. She yearned to reach out to him, to make him laugh, to gather him into her arms—just as she had done with her ex’s kids.

“Remember the definition of insanity?” she asked India, who was taking pictures on her smartphone. “Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.”

“Your point being?” asked India, framing a shot of the glittering pillars of the Avalon Free Library.

“Look, I really like your brother—I think you knew I would. But being with him...it’s got disaster written all over it.”

“You guys are great together. I’m not seeing how that’s crazy.”

“He’s a single dad—like Huntley. He wants more kids—like Huntley. It’s crazy of me to think going down that road again will lead to anywhere but disaster.”

“It’s not the same. Huntley is a tool,” she said simply. “Logan isn’t.”

“Why does it not make me feel better to know I was married to a tool? I think I was right to swear off any kind of relationship. I’m simply not any good at it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is not like you, Darce. You don’t shy away from things just because they might be difficult.”

“I do now.” She wondered if she would ever get over the searing pain of betrayal, the sense of loss.

“Look, if you refuse to let yourself go with a guy—a good guy, like my brother—then guess what you’re doing?”

“Protecting myself. India, I’m doing the best I can.”

“But if you hold back, then you’re letting Huntley win. You’re letting him walk away with everything he got in the divorce, and he’s taking the most vital part of you. He’s taking your heart, your soul, your sense of joy and optimism, your belief in love. So ask yourself—do you really want to give him that? Do you really want to surrender and give up on things that used to be so important to you?”

“Jeez, when you put it that way...”

“Don’t let him win this one. Don’t let him spoil something special.”