Charade

I've been to a million parties with my crush, but he's never acted on it til now. Ford Malone could have any woman in Chicago, so why fake a relationship with me? The world knows him as the heir to a real estate fortune, but to me he'll always be my best friend, the man who saved me from my bullies as a boy. I'm as surprised as anyone when he announces our engagement, but I'll play along. Nothing has to change except the way we behave—the way we touch—in public. But his private touches change everything. Soon the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.

The world knows Ford Malone as the heir to a real estate fortune. But to me, he'll always be my best friend. The guy who saved me from my bullies back in school. The man I've secretly loved for years. When he needs me to be his plus-one at a family event, I agree without hesitation. Imagine my surprise when he announces our engagement. As usual, I'll play along. Nothing has to change except the way we behave - the way we touch - in public. But his private touches change everything. Soon, the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.

It was always going to end in heartbreak. You can't pretend-marry the man you secretly love and escape unscathed. Ford has never hesitated to ask for my help before, but this is the farthest he's asked me to go. Not that I ever say no to him. Even when I know I should. Sleeping with my husband is the best worst idea possible. It's everything I dreamed it would be. But everything to me is nothing to him. And he's not the only one I've made promises to.

My family has given everything to salvage the Zoric name and reputation from my father's tarnished legacy. I only needed a moment to destroy it all. Along with two hearts. It was supposed to be a simple charade. I never thought Ford and I would fall in love. But I can't take back what I've done. He can't change the past.