Fifty-two year old Tess Holden likes dogs better than people. The widowed mom to a teen on the autism spectrum has sworn off men. After all, menopause, grief and single-motherhood do not make the sexiest cocktail. Her life revolves around her son, Gavin, a musical savant battling demons, their rescued pit bull, and her second-act career as a dog masseuse...until she finds herself drawn to Everett Rosenberg, the owner of Tess' favorite client-a giant, elderly "Heinz 57" rescue. Everett is never home, instead his dog-hating blonde bombshell girlfriend greets Tess with a scowl at every session. Still, Everett and Tess' connection is sparked during their regular wrap-up phone calls. The girlfriend is history when they finally meet, and Tess can't shake the feeling she knows Everett from long ago. She's shocked to discover their connection runs deeper than she ever imagined. And although Everett has been living in anonymity in his suburban Long Island "McMansion," Tess did know him well once...at least in her fantasies. Will their tragic pasts and Everett's growing bond with Gavin bring them together or will one mistake rip them apart forever?