From the First

He thought he was ready to build something real. Then the right person showed up when he least expected it.

Kai has always stayed on the edge of other people's families—close enough to feel like he belongs, but careful enough to keep his distance. He's watched his friends fall apart and come back together, and promised himself he'd wait until he had something real to give. Now, he thinks he might finally be ready.

He didn't account for her.

Evie's guarded, and her reasons make sense once you know her story. He has his own wounds he hasn't faced. There's a child between them who needs more than either of them knows how to give, so they both have to stop waiting until they feel ready.

✓ Found-family romance ✓ Slow-burn, steady-hero energy ✓ A child who needs both of them ✓ Guarded heroine with real reasons to hesitate ✓ Two people who stop waiting to feel 'ready'