Just Act Natural

I started this pretend romance to save face, not to lose my heart.

I'm indoorsy with a capital I, but I need to fake a little outdoorsiness to get a promotion. A five-day hike sounds like my nightmare, but after upending my life and moving from the city back to my small hometown, I need a win.

I didn't expect to find someone like Grant Irwin in the wilderness with me. A cinnamon roll in mountain man form, he's freakishly competent out here, and endlessly patient with my missteps.

But after everything with my critical ex-fianc?fell apart, I'm not looking for love. Especially not with someone who's only here on vacation.

So when we get back to town and run into my ex, why do I pull Grant in as my fake boyfriend? And why does he go right along with my play-acting?

He's been burned by love as badly as I have, but he looks at me like I'm the only thing he sees. I just can't tell if his heart eyes are real or for show.

It's all supposed to be fake. But falling for Grant? Nothing could be more natural.