Single dad with his own baggage and damage- neighbour girl next door - bonding - more than friends, more than said no strings attached arrangement between Leo and Reese, the kid Brente too bonds really well with Reese - this arrangement by the day blurring and seeming more like a real family - babysitting, dinner, evenings, shopping for the kid at the mall, baking, sleepover, steamy romance, lust and pleasure, eyes for only wach other, sharing intimate moments that only a real couple/ family in love would do, both havong these intense feelings for each other, but afraid to confide and risk, when everything was seemingly ok, but one day when Brent met with a minor fall, Leo blames himself for the accident, he doesn't want to let down his kid, although nobody blames, not even the kid, Leo but considers this whole lover arrangement was a distraction to him being a good parent, although he knows that he loves her, but can't bring himself into being into relationship because of his own fears or insecurities from his past broken relationship, he knows he's hurting the most important person, Reese, he loves her, she loves him, but he pushes her away, she respects his decision and keeps distance although deep down bothh being miserable and hopelessly in love and hurting each other.
When after some clarity he decides and runs to Reese to confess and ask for forgiveness, but little did he know he will find her on the verge of death from the fire, she's lying unconscious for a long time admist the fire, without caring he jumps into the fire to rescue, but he fears he might never be able to express his true feelings for her and he could never forgive himself for this, he too succumbed to burns, Reese wakes after recovering from the unconscious stage, she could have died in there, if it was not Leo rescuing in time.
Later he confesses and proposes her to marry him after things comes to normal. The story climaxes with Leo being happy and content with his wife Reese, their 3 kids, Brent, and their twin babies. Also his divorced wife who left him for some rich guy, both were under custody as that guy was found doing some black market illegal activities or organ trade something like that, that guy cheated Mara, Leo's ex wife, also she succumbed to having lost one kidney of hers too, served her right, how could she just leave her own kid and a good man like Leo.
I like how Reese stands up for herself gradually, also how she flipped off that Martin guy, not everyone who needs saving is her responsibility, she finally realised how her strength was also weakening her, she fixes it. She's generous, sweet, lovely, full of love and care, her resilience to hold on and protect her close ones rather than to leave, she's the best thing happened to Leo and Brente.
But Leo has the best now, everything he wished for, a home, a happy family with his cupcake girl.
Takeaway:
*When something seems like ending and crushing all the things you wished of, but it might be just a start of new beginnings and closing of a chapter of the past, universes has better plans for you.
*Stand up for yourself, protect your heart.
*Love with your eyes open.(don't be blindfolded and be in denial like Sophia)
*Don't let anyone walk over you like trash, because you're precious and deserve the best, there will people who will love and respect you for who you are, and even if there's none, you don't want to be the one doing the damage to yourself, self love/care/respect/worth is important.
*There's someone for everyone (idk about takeaway, but I like to think it like this 😛)
*As you sow, so shall you reap.
*Don't judge a book by it's cover.(Sophia seemed fake but she's good people although high maintenance but she's good overall, she helped Leo coming to clear sense)
*Loving Reese doesn't mean any less love for Brente (- clarity that Leo had finally), infact having Reese, will help Brente too have that mother figure, the friendship they share,and more love to give. Protect the important people in your life.