THE SWEETHEART DEAL

Told in alternating voices, this exceptionally written and smart women’s fiction tells the poignant, heart wrenching, and heartfelt story of one family's grief in the wake of shattering loss, and of one man's decision to let love in.

Leo and Garrett, both in their mid-forties, have been best friends since their college days. Leo has long joked that in the event of his death, he wants Garrett, a classic serial monogamist who never settled down, to marry his wife, Audrey, and take his place in the McGeary household.

Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea for Leo to insist on putting it in writing, but hey, it was New Year’s Eve, the wine was flowing and emotions were high. But twelve years later, when Leo dies in a skiing accident, leaving behind a half-completed home renovation and a wife of 17 years who must process her loss while parenting their three sons, it's a no-brainer for Garrett: he quits his teaching job on the East Coast, ends his latest casual relationship, and buys a one-way ticket out west to do whatever he can to help his best friend's family.

Before long, Garrett finds himself falling for Audrey, her sons, and the routine he's created for himself in Portland—after-school basketball with the boys; construction on the house with Leo's pal, Kevin; late night conversations with Audrey after everyone's asleep—all while managing to keep his drunken pact a secret.

When Audrey finds out, though, the harmless promise that brought Garrett into the heart of her world quickly becomes the obstacle to remaining in it, and Garrett must determine what he wants out of life and love.

Polly Dugan lives in Portland, works at Powells Bookstore, and is a reader at Tin House magazine. She attended the Tin House Writers Workshop for the past three years where she worked with Joy Williams, Steve Almond, Elisa Schappell and Meg Storey.