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I kept my nose clean. Bad publicity was the last thing you wanted, and I’d had my share since my last breakup went public. We’d also just lost our last five games.

The boys and I decided to head to the islands for a little R&R. I’d never been so happy for a break. That was where I saw her. She didn’t seem to recognize me, which made it better, so I made my move. We didn’t exchange names or numbers. We shared one carefree night, that was all I wanted and that was all it was supposed to be.

A few months later, regret from that night had almost eaten away at me. I hadn’t been able to get her out of my mind. I wouldn’t say I fell in love with her, or maybe I did. All I knew was that night was the closest I’d ever come to insta-love and I wanted more but we’d had our fun. Yet, I was still mentally kicking myself for at least not getting her name.

We're about to head into the playoffs when I return home and that is when the universe decides to bring us back together in one of the worst places ever. Only this time won’t be like the last, I decide I won’t let her slip through my fingers. This time, I’ve promised myself nothing, and all bets are off.

Series: Willow Valley Book #1

Author: S.L. Sterling

Genre: Small Town, Second Chance Romance

Release Date: October 11, 2022

Thomas was the love of my life, or he was supposed to be. Instead, he became the guy who broke my heart, crushed my spirit, the last guy I ever dated, and the reason I never wanted to date again.

All this, I decided at seventeen, right after we graduated, which coincided with the day he left. He had his truck packed. We'd talked about running off together, eloping. Instead, Thomas explained he was leaving, joining the rodeo, and I could come if I wanted.

If I wanted!

I thought we shared a dream, but it didn't include running off to join the western equivalent of a circus. Not with him. Not with anyone. I knew better.

So, he left, and I decided to make a life on my own.

I spent the next few months learning all I could about the small bookstore my aunt owned. I gradually took over as she aged, until one morning she woke and announced that she was ready to retire. She had picked a retirement community nearby, she wanted to relax, sleep in and hang out with the old people, like herself.

I'd begun to clean up the place, sorting through boxes of books she'd packed away and began setting them out. I'd let people make me an offer since I was short on space. That was when Thomas appeared. His father had passed, and the community was buzzing with rumors that he had returned to sell the property.

He'd come in looking for a good read or so he claimed. Instead I shoved a book at him and told him to take it. I hoped I'd never see him again, but I was wrong. He returned, with the book, his note told me to read the book and I'd understand. So, I read it, and I understood nothing.

It was Aunt Vi's diary. She too had never stopped pining for a cowboy who left her behind.

Maybe he thought he was saving me. Perhaps I missed what I was supposed to understand all together. All I knew was that I didn't want to face him. One look at him told me it would be all to easy to fall into those strong arms again and I knew I still loved him, even if he didn't love me in return.

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I’d never needed a week away with my brothers so bad until I’d broken up with my girlfriend. Sun, sand, surf and a few drinks to pass the nights away. The female persuasion was the farthest thing from my mind…that was until I lock eyes with the stunning brunette sitting on the other side of the bar.

You don’t realize how the small day to day struggles of family life combined with running a successful business can affect your marriage, until it’s too late. They leave you too exhausted to deal with the big things that truly matter.

Angry and bothered that I’d violated company policies more than once I was put on a two-week forced vacation effective immediately. One week into what was supposed to be peaceful solitude to get my life back on tract, I decided to cut my trip short and return to work. Instead, I end up stranded at the airport during the worst snowstorm of the year.

That was when I saw her. Mia, my best friend’s sister, all grown up and intoxicatingly beautiful. It had been twenty years since we’d laid eyes on each other, yet the chemistry still crackles between us. Soon, one thing leads to another and we find ourselves riding out the storm in the most enticing way, tangled in bed sheets.

The girl who held my attention all those years ago, now holds my heart. But when we are forced to go head-to-head in the boardroom will our second chance be over before it even begins.

Fans of steamy office romance, with a friends-to-lovers twist, will be gripping the copy machine and swooning over His to Hold by USA Today Best Selling Author, S.L. Sterling

S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs. 

An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born. 

When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters. 

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.