Fighting the Odds by Kristen Granata

I’d prepared myself for a life without love. Lost my parents and anyone else I got close to. Nothing good ever stays for long. I’m a statistic after all. Former foster kid. Former drug addict, alcoholic. Always thought I was destined to be alone. Always felt like I wasn’t worth a damn.
Then Carla Evans walked into my life.
One look at her in that uptight, buttoned-up outfit and I knew I had to have her. For a night, I’d indulge myself in the fantasy of a girl like her actually wanting a guy like me.
Then she moved here with no job and that ridiculous bucket list.
I knew she needed my help.
I just didn’t expect to need hers.
I spent a long time letting myself believe I didn’t deserve happiness. It took me a while (and a whole lot of therapy) to realize I’d had it all wrong.
Now I know.
And now I have to tell her.