  
Twenty four year old Olivia is trapped in her own life, not able to escape the painful scars of her past. Moving in with her best friend and old college roommate, Olivia seeks a life of independence, happiness, and love. Above all she desperately seeks a life not defined by her physical appearance.
Finn's world collapses with one shattering phone call. Seven years later, though successful in the family business, he still struggles with guilt, depression, and an unwavering need to protect what’s important to him.
A serendipitous encounter could change both of their lives, but what happens when they find out that they both have broken souls and what will happen when the ugly pieces of each other are exposed?
  
For what feels like long minutes, I lose myself in the feeling of Finn. I think about nothing but the warmth of his body enrapturing mine paired with the sweetness of his breath, the obvious mint he must’ve had on the way over here tonight mixed with the beers I had with him earlier. I feel the electricity on his fingers as he touches me, holds me, but that feeling comes crashing down as soon as I feel his hand move up my body. His fingertips are only centimeters away from the scars on my neck. The proximity scares me because I can’t remember how it feels to have someone else physically touching them. I recoil, bringing my right shoulder to my ear out of habit, squeezing my eyes closed when I realize what I just did.
Shit!
He was just kissing you Olivia!
“I’m sorry; did I hurt you? I’m sorry!” Finn exclaims holding his hands up in front of him like I’m the kissing police. The concern in his eyes is agonizing.
“No. No, you didn’t hurt me at all.” I shake my head. Crushing my eyes closed again, I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Damnit! I’m so sorry, I just…”
“Fuck.” I whisper.
Two hands are on my head softly smoothing my hair back on each side. “Olivia, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Finn’s hands are strong and comforting. He makes me want to relinquish to his soft touch. Kissing him was definitely great, until I screwed it all up.
“No, Finn you didn’t. It’s me. I just…” I take a deep breath and look down too timid to look at him; and quite frankly, I’m just not ready to have this conversation. “It’s just been a while….I guess.”
Maybe I’m really not ready for this.
Maybe I really don’t want it.
“I understand.” Finn tilts my head back to capture my attention. He studies me while stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Olivia, I get that something horrible must’ve happened to you in your past that you’re not ready to talk about, and that’s okay. Hell, it’s okay if you never want to talk about it, but if and when you do, I’m here. I’ll be here.”
How can he read me so well in just a short time?
He kisses my forehead, an affectionate show of compassion. “We all have parts of our past that we wish never happened Liv, and even though sometimes I don’t want to believe it, I have a respect for the saying ‘What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’.”
  
Susan Renee lives in Ohio with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. A music teacher for nine years, Susan is now the proud wearer of many different hats! Her favorites are Mommy, wife, and new indie writer! On a whim she decided to try her hand writing the type of novels that she enjoys reading and the rest is history. She is currently working on a new book, unrelated to Solving Us, expected to be published in the spring of 2016. Susan loves to hear from her friends and fans so be sure to look for her on social media platforms!
 
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