40 parts Complete Emory James has always known she doesn't fit the mold her family built for her.
While her parents and older sister thrive in courtrooms, Emory's heart belongs to helping animals and finding her purpose in quiet acts of compassion. Her mother and sister have always been supportive, but her father still insists she's "too smart to waste her life on animals." Now, after years of hard work, she's finally graduating as a veterinary technician and is ready to prove that following her heart was worth it.
On graduation day, she's running late while also juggling her cap, gown, and nerves as she races through the city's hockey arena where the ceremony is being held. She ends up crashing straight into Callum Bennett, the hockey star of the BrooksRidge Sparks.
Callum Bennett has never had trouble getting attention on or off the ice. With a killer smile, easy charm, and enough confidence to fill an arena, he's the kind of guy everyone recognizes and few really know. The son of a retired hockey legend and a brilliant college professor, Callum's been under pressure since he could walk. After losing his older brother years ago, he learned that keeping things light was safer than letting anyone close. Hookups? Sure. Relationships? Never. Feelings just slow you down.
A few weeks later, fate intervenes when Emory's clinic partners with Callum's team for a "Paws & Players" adoption event. One glance and neither can pretend their hallway collision was just a coincidence. Between camera flashes and undeniable chemistry, Emory and Callum find themselves breaking every rule they swore to keep.
They both don't do relationships.
But sometimes, the best kind of love is the one that wasn't in the game plan at all.
