This is a love story struggling to begin between two people who have set up their own iron-clad rules before love can enter. Raven is the tough one who has given up on love, devoting herself instead to avoidance of all risk by keeping others away. Risking loss is just not worth it to her, so she would rather remain isolated and alone. Her fears run deep.
Derek is dragged to the café by his sister to sample and select desserts for the wedding. Bree has already spent a year planning her own wedding. Derek just wants to meet the woman of his dreams who simply wants love and happiness without making a big production. Suffering through his sister’s dithering makes that stick firmly in his mind.
But when Raven meets Derek, he has qualities that call to her, with his kindness, good looks, charm, and patience making him an attractive risk for her heart. Derek finds her easy to talk to and be with, and he would like to be able to show her that love is worth it, especially if it will bring the two of them together. Can he change her mind? Can he show her how good they could be together, and that she can count on him? Or will her fears come flooding back that he could be taken from her like her parents were?