Kings, Kisses, and Kickbacks II I never planned to fall for a man whose job meant always leaving-but then again, nothing about Lance Hawthorne fit into my plan. Kansas moving out marked the end of an era. Mindy embraced the change, but I dreaded it. Living alone wasn't freedom-it was terrifying. I didn't want empty rooms or silent nights. Then came Lance. Cocky, gorgeous, and absolutely the type I swore off, he walked into my gym and my carefully guarded world. I tried to keep him at arm's length, but Lance didn't play by my rules. Flirting turned into friendship, friendship blurred into steamy attraction, and before I knew it, his jet-setting life collided with mine. I fought the pull, scared of what loving someone like him would mean. Every departure chipped at my trust. Every return made me fall harder. But when jealousy and misunderstanding shattered everything, walking away seemed safer than risking my heart. Now he's back, ready to fight for forever-but am I brave enough to believe that love doesn't fly away?