Hail Mary

Leo F*cking Hernandez.

North Boston University's star running back, notorious bachelor, and number one on my people I would murder if I could get away with it list.

And now?

He's my new roommate.

I used to think I loved him. But that was before I hated him.

He doesn't remember who I am or how he made my life miserable for years. And before I unknowingly moved across the street from him, I couldn't have cared less. I was living my life despite him and what happened that summer, chasing my dream of becoming a tattoo artist.

"The Pit," as the university so gracefully nicknamed the house he lives in with three other football players, has served as nothing more than a pain in my ass and a constant reminder of the boy who broke my heart. Watching him parade his one-night-stands in and out of it never helped either.

But with rent this cheap and so close to the tattoo shop, I've learned to ignore him—no matter how he's tried to get under my skin.

At least until this summer. Because when a water and mould disaster leaves me with no choice but to vacate my house, I have nowhere to go. And Leo Hernandez offers me a deal I can't refuse.

Live at The Pit with him and the guys, free of charge, until my landlord fixes this mess.

Ignoring him was easy when I lived across the street, but in the same house with him shirtless half the time and watching me with his cocky grin and searing gaze? It's impossible.

Still, I have to try. I have to push him away, even when he makes it infuriatingly difficult to do so.

He's broken my heart once. I won't let him do it again.

Hail Mary by Kandi Steiner captures the turmoil of living with an old flame and navigating past grievances in this engaging and heartfelt romance.