MattiePearsonhasasecret--onethathasleftherontherunfromherlife,herfriends,andthelaw.AsMattiesettlesintohernewapartmentinWashington,DC,herlifetakesaturnforthebetterwhenshemeetsAlexHolland.ThetwofallintoaneasyfriendshipandbeforelongMattiefindsherselfwantingmuchmorefromhernewfriend.Certainthatnothingmorewilleverdevelop,Mattieisdeterminedtokeepherfeelingsunderwraps.AssheagonizesoverbeinghonestwithAlexaboutherfeelingsandaboutherpast,MattiesoonrealizesshemayloseAlexnomatterwhichpathshechooses.Islosingeverythingworththeriskofbeinghonestwiththewomanshe’sfallingfor?