After joining a new book club focusing on naughty books, Fiona Taylor reads about a female character who sounds very similar to her shyness. The character uses a dating app, but Fiona would never do that. However, her twin sister, Michelle, signs her up and she is matched almost immediately with Michael Donahue. The fact his picture showed him with his dog was also a good indication that he was the right choice.
They met at a restaurant, Fiona first checking him out through the window. He was taller than she imagined and his hair was a bit longer. But as soon as he spotted her, hit face lighted up and his smile was cheerful. They talked about his dog, Denny, and she told him how she always wanted a dog. Now that she could get one, their company was bought out and the new boss coming to town that week is a control freak, so she knows she won’t have time for a new pet. He was glad she thought it through and wouldn’t re-home a pet when it got to be too hectic. She also told him she had always dreamed of running her own animal rescue and he got a startled look on his face. He was saving money over the next 3 years to buy land to do just that! Both of them became immediately comfortable with each other, like old friends. When he asks her if she would like to go for a walk, he hears her mumble, “What would Cherry do?” Then she agrees. They stop to get Denny, and the dog gives her a loving, excited greeting. After the dog park, Michael doesn’t want the evening to end and invites her back to his loft.
Back at his loft, they kiss and she realizes he means more to her than a single night. She feels something for him and doesn’t want to walk away nor cheapen the experience. She breaks away from his kiss and claims she has to go. He has no idea what is going on, offers to slow down, and whispers quietly, “Don’t go.” But she runs out the door.
The next day at the office, Denny runs up to her in greeting. She is wondering why he is here as Michael walks through the door. She can see his now guarded expression as her boss’ boss introduces her to his new boss, Mr. Donahue. He asks Mr. Phillips if it would be acceptable to take Fiona to lunch to thank her for her hard work gathering his paperwork for review, but she says she has plans. He immediately asks about dinner instead. As she is about to refuse, her boss nudges her and Mr. Phillips glares at her over Michael’s shoulder, so she agrees. But when he arrives at her apartment, she is sick with what looks like food poisoning. He carried her to bed and she asks him to stay, admitting she should never have left him. He brought Denny over and they stayed with her while she slept. He saw the sticky note with Cherry Pop written on it and remembered her saying that word on their date. So he downloaded it to see if it gave him a clue as to what made her run from him. Will he get his answer? Will he talk with her about it when she feels better?
This was a beautiful story about the nicest guy in the world. He was so patient and caring. Would he and Fiona accept their surprising second chance? Or will she let her fear make her walk away from the best thing that could ever happen to her?