My 2nd chance do-over

Prologue

Shadow's pov

Being a single mother was hard. I loved my kids more than anything. I just wish I had a good man in my life. Then again, I never have time to find one. All I do is work and stay home with my kids. It's not like prince charming hangs out at a library. If he did, he wouldn't want an old frumpy plus size single mom like me.

My husband left me because he said I was hideous so why would I ever expect another man to want me. I looked in the mirror and cried. I hated myself. He killed any self-esteem I had. His new plaything was only 20 and was like a size 2. Yep, he rubbed my face in it every chance he gets.

He hasn't seen his kids in almost a year. I hated how much he hurts them. He broke my heart, but I can handle it they can't. They think they did something wrong.

I loved the library because it was so quiet. Except for today. They were doing construction across the street. They were remodeling for a new night club. I hated that this town was changing so much. I went outside to see how the remodeling was going.

I just wish it was done already so I can get some peace back. I caught sight of the sexiest man to walk this earth. I couldn't help but stare. He looked over my way, so I hurried back into the library. How was I going to get any work done with a sexy man like that being right across the street?

I got back to my laptop. Since it was a slow day, I decided to get back to my writing. I didn't want to be a librarian forever. Actually, I wanted to be a writer. I was on this amazing site called Moboreader to see if I was even any good at writing.

I had all these dreams before I got married, but I put them all on hold. I was done doing that. I will never let another man take over my whole life. It was time I lived for me and my kids. I was so busy writing that I didn't hear anyone come in.

"Hello, I am Ryder I am opening the club across the street, and just wanted to introduce myself."

I jumped not realizing he was there. I just looked at him not knowing what to say.

"Um hi I'm Shadow I run things here."

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

He actually kissed my hand and I almost fainted. This man was deadly. I needed to stay far away from him. Men like this never went for women like me so there is no point in even trying.

"It's nice to meet you, but I really need to get back to work."

"No problem I need to head back. I will see you around Shadow."

He left and I still felt like I couldn't breathe. It seemed like he was flirting with me, but that couldn't be. I wasn't good enough for any man let alone one that looked like that.

Ryder's pov

I saw the sexiest woman looking at me from across the street. I hurried to go talk to her, but she ran into the library. I wanted to go over there and introduce myself anyway, so this was the perfect time.

Maybe I could talk to the beautiful woman I had just seen. I wanted to know my neighbors. I was opening a club in this neighborhood. My father gave me as well as my brother's money to invest in what we wanted. He wasn't happy about me starting a club.

He feels that I have more potential than that. Maybe it's because my younger brother Jacob followed in my father's footsteps and became a lawyer. I walked into the stuffy little library and saw the beautiful woman from before. She was a librarian?

She does not fit in here at all. I said hello and she jumped. I didn't mean to scare her. Great first impression I was making. I couldn't stop staring at her. She was incredibly sexy.

When I went to leave, I kissed her hand. What this wasn't the 20's? I made a complete fool of myself. Hopefully I get a chance to start over. She was defiantly someone I would love to get to know better.

She didn't seem too interested in me though. Maybe she had someone. There was no way a woman like her was single. I was always unlucky in love. My last relationship ended when I caught my fiancée in bed with my best friend. I just walked out and never looked back.

I didn't want the house because it would only remind me of the pain. I moved into a small home far away from her. I have forgiven them both for that, but we don't talk anymore. It's not the first time I have been cheated on.

I dated a younger girl after that, and she left me. She ran off with some married man that was way older than her. The guy left his wife and kids for her. I would never do that, yet I always get hurt. Maybe I should just give up on ever finding love.

Besides I'll be too busy with my new club. I need to stay away from one very sexy librarian otherwise I might just catch some feelings.

Chapter 1

Shadow's pov

I got home from work and started to cook super for the kids. The babysitter left so I popped in a movie. Hopefully that would keep them busy until I was done cooking. All I really wanted to do was go to bed. I was so exhausted. Sometimes being a single mother was just plain hard.

I hurried to make them food so we could try to have an early night. I really didn't like this new babysitter. She gave the kids long naps during the day making it, so I had a hard time to get them to bed at night.

At a year old and three years old they were a handful. It made me angry that my ex did nothing for them. He's off with his mistress starting a new family. I guess she's everything I'm not. I looked down at my frumpy clothes. I dressed like a very old woman.

I still hadn't lost the baby weight yet, so I am a big girl. I guess I can't blame my husband for leaving me. He was a gorgeous man and deserved to be with a beautiful woman. I was never a beautiful woman. I always wondered what he saw in me.

I mean if he never loved me than why did he marry me, and have children with me? These are the questions I ask myself every day. I fed the kids and myself then cleaned up. I needed to get them to sleep so I could shower.

I put my son in his crib and gave him kisses. I put my daughter in her "big" girl bed. I was happy when they went to bed without a fuss. I loved me kids so much. I was just exhausted.

I wish I didn't have to work so much so I could be home with them more. Sadly, I had no money. My husband took everything when he left. I didn't even have money to get a lawyer to fight him. I didn't want anything from him. All I wanted was for my kids to be happy.

He should be a father to them. I don't care if he hurts me, but if he hurts them, I will make him pay. I am tired of seeing my kids hurt. They deserve better. They were innocent. I get that I was a terrible wife, but they shouldn't be hurt because of me.

He didn't need to be with me to be a father. Hearing my kids ask for daddy breaks my heart. I would do anything for my kids. I just hope one day they realize the reason I work so hard is for them.

Chapter 2

Ryder's pov

My ex-girlfriend had the nerve to call me today. She told me she's pregnant. I know it's not mine, so I don't see why I needed to know. She told me her and her new man are having "issues." I wanted to laugh, but I didn't. I mean come on like no one saw this happening. He left his wife and kids for her.

That doesn't exactly scream "good guy" now does it? I felt bad because she did sound really upset. I didn't know what I could do though. She made her choice now she has to deal with it. He cheated once he will do it again. I mean hell she cheated on me with him. All I can say is man I love karma.

I told her I had to get back to work. I just didn't have time for her. I caught myself looking across the street hoping to get a glimpse of the sexy librarian. I'm sure by now she is at home. I wondered if she was single.

I haven't stopped thinking about her since I made a complete fool of myself. She was unlike any woman I have met before. When she smiled it was as if I could breathe easier. Just being around her made my day better. I wanted to know more about her.

I asked around, but no one seemed to know her. Maybe she just kept to herself. I decided tomorrow that I would send her flowers. Everyone deserved to get flowers to brighten their day. If she had a boyfriend, then she could tell me never to send her flowers again. If she was single hopefully, she would see it as a sign that I liked her.

Maybe it would give her the courage to come and thank me. If she did then I would ask her out for lunch. I just knew I wanted a chance with her.