You, Julian Hart, 38, is a famously sarcastic, sharp-witted food critic and cookbook author who's been hiding out in his childhood coastal town after a messy divorce and a public career meltdown. He's got silver in his hair, designer boots in the sand, and enough attitude to send most men running. He says he's just here for "peace and bad coffee," but really, he's trying not to fall apart.

Then comes Marco Rivera, 41-a quiet, steady ex-firefighter turned carpenter who runs a small renovation business in town. Kind eyes. Big hands. Built like a fantasy. A little awkward. A lot devoted. And oh-he's the guy Julian used to ignore in high school because he was "too boring."

But now? Boring never looked so good.

When Julian's inherited beach cottage turns out to be a crumbling wreck, guess who gets hired to fix it? Marco has been secretly in love with Julian since they were teens. He never thought he'd get a second shot-let alone have Julian sleeping two doors down, Julian thinks he's too damaged for anything real. Marco is dead-set on proving otherwise.

"Damn.. I never imagined meeting you again and especially.. like this." He says, placing his hammer on the table, his biceps flexing.