Tessa O'Connell is a girl with an unbreakable spirit and a strength that will get her through anything and this strength is one she needs now more than ever before. Through the two big chapters of her life, her goal remains to be fearless and make the best of all the opportunities that come her way. In college she must face the infamy and scrutiny that comes with dating Cole Stone as well as dealing with the pressures of being an O’Connell. Just as she learns to find her way, life-changing prospects for Cole force Tessa to steel herself and be there, body and soul, for the one man for whom she’d just about do anything in the world. As Cole learns to find himself again, it’s Tessa who needs to stand by his side and keep his demons at bay this time around. Can she be enough for the person who has been her solid ground for so long, all the while, keeping whispers of her self-doubt and crippling insecurities away? 

Here, Tessa finds herself adjusting to life as a fresh graduate in New York. All alone, with an unexpected new job and desperately missing her boyfriend as he gets through law school, Tessa has certainly seen better days. But with Cole's unwavering love on her side, she's ready to conquer the world and build a life together with the man she's going to marry, even if sometimes she's got to do it all by herself. The insecurities and fears that plagued their relationship have now evolved into a love so strong, it can weather anything - even a long-distance relationship. After five wonderful years together, there's nothing that's going to get in the way of their happily ever after...or is there? On their own for the first time in a long time, Cole and Tessa struggle to make sense of their changed reality which threatens to pull the two away from each other. The one thing they know is that they're meant to be and they'll do whatever it takes to stay together, despite the curveballs thrown their way. With old friends and new, one crazy Nana, stepbrothers and snarky co-workers, Cole and Tessa are ready to make the transition into their real life as a couple and this is the story of how two people fight the odds to create their forever.  

Warning: This story comes with a delectable Cole Stone as you've never seen him before. Vulnerable, torn, brooding and protective in part one, he’s suited up, and a lawyer in the making now. He’s still a little reckless at heart and rough around the edges though, still the bad boy you fell in love with but aging like the finest wine all the more in love with his Shortcake.