Releasing February 2, 2026!

Book 2 in the Desperate Hearts contemporary romance series from award-winning author, Twila Mason. Step by Step features workplace and best friend's sister tropes.

Now sober and stable, Chrissy is ready to take control and carve out the future she’s always wanted, one step at a time. Landing the coveted job of painting a mural for the city of Chicago is the opportunity of a lifetime. She can’t let anything distract her, not even her swoon-worthy boss, who makes her heart flutter and her focus falter.

Babysitting a mural painter is the last thing Adam Rochester wants to do, but his boss doesn’t give him a choice. With the project already a year behind schedule, Adam’s job is to make sure it gets back on track. When he meets Chrissy, the quirky yet guarded artist stirs feelings he thought he’d buried years ago.

When rumors about them begin to swirl in the media, Adam is reminded of the strict policy against dating in the workplace and the dire consequences that could follow. Unwilling to put their jobs on the line, Adam and Chrissy both push aside their growing attraction. Chrissy is determined to chase her dreams, but now she must decide if those dreams include Adam. For Adam, taking a chance on love means facing his past and the secret he’s spent years trying to forget.

One wrong step could ruin everything, but maybe a future together is worth the risk.

Amazon