Since they were fifteen, Gracie and Ava have been friends. They both find themselves living on the streets of, Chicago, rather than taking their chances, at home. Drugs, alcohol, and abuse fueled their need to survive. Once they hit the shelter they found two caring households that gave them what they need, to survive, thrive, and grow. Gracie decided she wanted to go, to college and make something of herself. So, she racked up as many hours as she could for the nest egg she was working hard for. The family that took her in owns a bar so long hours, and sleazy dressing, all equal larger tips.
One of the customers has, come in a few times for a drink, but has never talked, to her only checked her out. He is back in, on this very busy, Christmas Eve. This time, however, he sits at the bar so, she gets his order for him and chit-chats, with him. Being so close, to him she can see he is older than her, with silver running through his hair on his sides, he’s older, but only by maybe ten years. But, he takes good care of, himself because he is sexy, as all get out. She finds out he has been coming into town for business, but this will be his last time, the project is completed. He is heading back, to New York, but his flight has been delayed two hours. He is enjoying their banter, but he dislikes how the other men look at her, and the way she has, to dress. But, she is not afraid, to stand up, to any of the men that piss her off. Including a guy she catches, slipping a pill into a woman's drink.
As the night goes on, and he is still there she asks if everything is alright. He says his flights have been canceled. So, his secretary is trying, to figure out a hotel for him. But, from his search, he’s having no luck. But his stress level amps up when his phone dies. So, Gracie lends him her charger, once the bar closes. When his secretary calls with no luck, but has a flight for tomorrow afternoon he says thanks. That's when Gracie offers, her old room up over the bar. And, that’s when things get interesting. The next morning after he leaves she finds a note, with his phone number and home address, she is excited. But it's a month before she uses it.
Because she is moving for, an internship because she has graduated. Yup, and guess where she is moving? Yup, New York. She wants to surprise him after many texts and sexy talking, but when she's about, to cross the street a woman and a teen girl go, to his door. When he opens it he takes the girl's hand, and the woman follows them in. Now that night at the bar they played, truth or dare. She asked questions that he answered like are you married, do you have a girlfriend. But, her bad she missed the one about baby and baby mama. But, a teen is no baby. So, now she is ghosting him. But, that all changes the next day when she is working, for the competing company. Yup, she’s an architect and works for, the other side.
This was such a good book. Being a child of divorce this pushed some buttons. Loved how the author had the characters handle it.