Excerpt: Chapter 18

For the first time in a very long time I feel beautiful, sexy even, and I'm glad I wore turquoise combs in my hair.

He takes me to Vanelli's, which I love. Wonderful pasta and Puccini opera playing softly through the speakers, Greek statues and a water fountain, local boxer-turned singer Paul Thorn's funky art hanging on the wall, friendly waiters and the owner himself stopping by the table to chat. It's both upscale and casual, the kind of place that says somebody likes you enough to bring you here, but it's all about relaxing, enjoying good food and having fun, being yourself

And suddenly I can do that, relax, settle into a corner booth and be myself.