Payton Osmond has been not so patiently waiting for her true mate for a thousand years. That man would break the curse keeping her chained to the lake as a mermaid for most of the month, but it wasn't even really about that. It was about finding the man of her dreams, starting a family, and beginning her happily ever after.Gabe Carter had a family once. There's no love lost for his ex, but his little girl was the light of his life. And when he lost her, he lost himself. He has no interest in happily ever after. That's why, when he sees the mermaid mark on Payton, he knows he has to stay away. Mates, true love, happiness-they'll never be in the cards for him.One sick baby and a houseful of pets later, Payton's starting to see that Gabe isn't the jerk she thought he was-and Gabe's starting to see that she just might be everything he needs. But secrets always come to light, and when Payton learns Gabe's, will she forgive him-or will she walk away forever?