First, I loved, loved, loved that this story was from the hero's point of view. Adam Brody is a stand-up guy coming home after having served in the Army. His best friend, though, hadn't made it back home and Adam had been at Mike's funeral months before.
He'd been harboring a secret since high school, though, and no one but him (and the reader!) knows what it is until the very end. Nice writing, Marie Savage!
Although the circumstances might seem a bit Too Smooth to be Believed, Marie writes it so you can believe it, and feel the awkwardness and the hope all in one.
I will say that I was much more fond of Adam than of Shannon in this story, but she was operating under a ton of baggage and I've been that new mom and I KNOW how hard it can be—and that's with a loving, supportive husband right beside me. So, I'll cut her a little slack. You should, too, when you read this story.
Because you really should. :)