Life has a way of throwing a curveball — no, a whole pitching machine — when you least expect it.

I was 26, finally feeling like I’d gotten over my last terrible relationship, when Ethan walked into my life.

It was a friend’s rooftop party in late spring. The city lights were twinkling, the music was just loud enough, and I was just fine being alone. Then he walked up to me.

He was tall, with warm, crinkly eyes and a dazzling smile.
He looked me up and down and said, “You’re gorgeous.”