by Lisa Daily
He had faith that all of it would work out.
And it did.
It’s okay to let go sometimes. Sure, it’s not my strong suit. I’m more comfortable with my schedules and backup plans and my color-coded binders and my old-school label maker. But letting go, doing things that scare me, taking risks even if I might get hurt—if I can just have a little faith that things might not turn out as badly as I fear—well, the payoff can be very, very good. Crazy good.
80
I take a deep breath and finally allow myself to just let go of all the fears I’ve been grasping onto so tightly over the last year. My fears are not protecting me. They’re keeping me prisoner.
Because if real love isn’t worth risking everything for, what is?
“Say that again,” I tell him, wishing I could make out his expression in the darkness.
“I love you,” he says, in that melodic voice I could listen to forever.
“I’m in love with you too,” I say.
Daniel pulls me into his arms and kisses me tenderly.
And for the first time in a long time, it feels like everything might just be okay.
Maybe Daniel is my fish after all. And yes, maybe a bird and a fish can fall in love.
Where would they live? On a boat, of course.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’ve never been so grateful for the people who love me and support me and cheer me on as I have during the writing of this book.
Like Alex, my life was going along great until it wasn’t—and the following people helped put me back together, kept me sane, made me laugh, made me cookies, and gave me a reason to get up in the morning:
Quinn and Elle, there’s no one in the Universe I could love more than you. I’m so thankful for both of you—for your wisdom, your humor, your strength, your goofiness, your very cool take on the world, and the joy and happiness that you bring into my life every single day. You’re the best kids anyone could ever wish for. I’m so, so lucky you’re mine.
To my mom, my biggest supporter, in every way big and small. I owe you everything. I’m grateful every single day that we are family, that we have each other. You’re the best, which is why all my friends always want to adopt you. Thank you, and I love you from the depths of my being. You’re wise and kind and hilarious, and every day I aspire to be the extraordinary human being that you are. Not just another pretty face. (Although there is that.)
Lizzy, I love you to pieces. I always have and I always will. I’m so proud of you, and I’m so thankful for you. You make everything brighter just by being here.
Cassie, I love you so much.
To Brendan Deneen, my former agent and favorite editor—thank you for your patience (especially for your patience), your creativity, your superhuman energy, and the fact that you are an incredible champion for writers. Nobody gets us like you do. Maybe because you’re one of us.
To Stephany Evans, super agent and amazing friend, thank you for your tough talk, kindness, love, and unwavering support. You’re the best.
Lisa Earle McLeod, one of the most kick-ass women I’ve ever known, and one of my favorite inspirations for awesome, straight-talking female characters. To Heidi Godman, ditto for you. I consider myself lucky to know you both.
Abby Fabiaschi, who I adore, and my standing Friday lunch date. I’m so proud of you and so grateful for your friendship and wisdom and love. You’re an incredibly talented author and I just know you’re going to have a huge career.
Emily Sheets and Eric Sizzler, you know what you did. A million thanks. This book wouldn’t be a book without you.
My Daytime show family, Cyndi, Jerry, Deanna, Alyse, Rob, Chip, Ben, and the crew. You guys are the best!
And to Mike Bracken, one of the kindest, funniest, most original people I’ve ever known, and one of those writers who’s just so extraordinarily talented he makes it look easy while the rest of us are sweating it out. You encouraged me, teased me, egged me on, held my hand, made me laugh so hard I snorted, and read my pages more than once. Mostly, you made everything bright and alive and hilarious again, and I love you madly for it.
ALSO BY LISA DAILY
STOP GETTING DUMPED!
FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME
HOW TO DATE LIKE A GROWN-UP
IS HE CHEATING?
IS SHE CHEATING?
BEAUTY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LISA DAILY is the love and relationships expect on Daytime, a nationally syndicated morning TV show, and a popular media guest who has appeared everywhere from MTV Live to Entertainment Tonight, and has been quoted everywhere from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune to Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Men’s Health, The Christian Science Monitor, and Us Weekly magazine. She is the bestselling author of seven books, including Stop Getting Dumped!, Fifteen Minutes of Shame, How to Date Like a Grown-Up, and Beauty.
Lisa lives and writes at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida. Connect with her at www.LisaDaily.com, @LisaDaily on Twitter, and @AuthorByTheSea on Instagram, or sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Acknowledgments
Also by Lisa Daily
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
&nbs
p; THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
SINGLE-MINDED. Copyright © 2017 by Lisa Daily. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.thomasdunnebooks.com
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Cover photograph by Dave and Les Jacobs/Getty Images
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-06044-0 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-46686565-5 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466865655
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
First Edition: June 2017
