Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Have you ever wanted to prove someone wrong so badly that you could taste it?
It doesn’t matter if they’re right. The fact that they had the audacity to say it is what counts.
Hi. It’s me. I’m that person.
The man I’ve been casually seeing told me I’m not “wife material” and should “lower my expectations”. Didn’t he realize I lowered them the moment I met him for dinner?
Obviously not.
Am I petty? Maybe. Annoyed? Of course. Determined? Definitely.
I need someone to help me flaunt my new engagement—my fiancé couldn’t wait to pop the question because I’m that amazing—in his face.
The problem? I don’t have a boyfriend, let alone a husband-to-be.
Which brings us to you.
Are you handsome? Successful? A smooth talker extraordinaire?
Are you willing to do all the things that someone madly in love would do?
Putting your hand on the small of my back. Forehead kissing. Acting like I’m a treasure you can’t live without. I need you to be prepared to do all those things … and maybe more.
What do you get out of this? I’m willing to negotiate terms—especially if they include a job and a place to stay. It’s a long story.
One night. One event. Let’s put on one heck of a show.
From USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author comes a “hot and hilarious!” fake-dating tale between two frenemies that turn into roommates, coworkers, and, ultimately, lovers. Fans of close proximity, one-bed trope, and blue-collar, small-town heroes will fall madly in love with this story.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
Banks
“Do you want to hear my idea or not?”
Milk drips from the edge of my brother Maddox’s spoon, splashing into the bowl of cereal below. “No.”
“Oh, come on, Mad. This is a great one.”
He scoops a heaping pile of Fruity Pebbles into his mouth, chewing deliberately. The crunches echo around his kitchen like he’s trying to make a point. He makes the point. But that doesn’t mean I have to take it.
“They’re plastic spiders. Fifty in a bag. And—”
“Banks, no.” The spoon hits the bowl with a ding. “I’m married now. I can’t risk life and liberty every time you want to fuck with Jess.”
A slow smirk slips across my face. Maddox pales.
My shenanigans used to be split evenly between our brothers Jess and Moss. They have never been directed at Foxx. Well, aside for one or two that didn’t end well for me. I was forced to abandon Moss as a target when Brooke moved in. Jess moved Pippa in, so he’s not as fun to mess with anymore. That only leaves the last Carmichael standing as a target—Foxx.
“I don’t even want to know,” he says, holding a hand in front of him.
Too bad. “Not Jess.” My smirk grows larger. “Foxx.”
“You’re out of your fucking mind.”
“It’s time.” I move out of the way as Maddox takes his bowl to the sink like a good little husband. “We’ve never done anything to Foxx.”
“Because we don’t want to eat through a straw.”
“Whatever. He probably feels left out.”
Maddox lifts a brow. “Really, Banks?”
“I know I feel left out now that you and Moss and even Jess have all decided we don’t need to be the fearless foursome anymore.”
“We were never the fearless foursome.” He shakes his head. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m bored,” I say, opening his refrigerator and taking out his last can of Dr Pepper. “And lonely. And I have a lot of time on my hands these days.”
“Well, I don’t. I have a real estate office to run and a wife to enjoy.”
I crack open the drink and stare at my brother. “Ashley ruined my life.”
“No, she didn’t.” He laughs.
“Yeah. She did.”
Maddox looks at his phone and motions for me to wait.
I take a sip of my soda and gaze around Maddox’s kitchen. We had a lot of good times here. Late-night pizzas, football parties, and one wrestling match that almost ended in a trip to the emergency room. Thank God for Jess’s skills with permanent glue and silver tape.
But that’s all changed now. Everything is changing. No one wants to have fun anymore.
Everyone grew up.
Fools.
“Sorry about that,” Maddox says, slipping his phone into his pocket. “My appointment got moved up thirty minutes. Love when that happens.”
“Is the problem that it’s spiders?”
He laughs. “No, Banks. It’s not that it’s spiders. It’s not even that it’s Foxx. It’s that I don’t have the energy for the drama right now. The last night you got one of these big ideas, we wound up in jail.”
“But not because of the stickers.”
“The point is the same, Banks. I’m over all of that now. I’m a newlywed, for fuck’s sake. I want to spend time with my wife.” He grins. “Have you seen her? She’s hot.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen her.” I roll my eyes. “But she’s going to cost you me, you know. I’m going to replace you as my best friend, and I’m not sure you’re ready for that.”
“Go for it.”
Go for it? Go for it? “What do you mean go for it? Aren’t you jealous?”
He shakes his head.
“Not even a little bit?”
“No, Banksy, I’m not. This is good for you, buddy. You can spread your wings and fly.”
I glare at him. “I’ll fly right through your window and take back my spot on your couch.”
“Just don’t drop any glitter on the way in.”
“Fucker.”
Maddox chuckles, way more entertained with himself than I am. “How was work? Did you find anyone to rebuild that carburetor you told me about?”
“Yeah. I got a name of a guy from someone at the marina. No one works on those things anymore. Such a headache.”
He grins.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” His attention slides over my shoulder. “Hey, babe.”
My shoulders slump as the scent of Ashley fills the kitchen.
She smacks the back of my head as she walks by. “I’m happy to see you too, Sparkles.”
“I never get him all to myself anymore.”
Ashley laughs as Maddox pulls her into his chest, cupping her ass cheeks in his hands, and kisses the shit out of her.
As much crap as I give them about their relationship, I love it for them. They are two of the best people I know. Maddox is loyal and responsible. Ashley is a best friend stealer but otherwise funny and sweet—which is why I went to jail for defending her a few weeks ago. She’s family, whether I like it or not.