Beachside Kisses With My Best Friend

What’s a little marriage of convenience between best friends? Just a tasty appetizer for real love!

My life was flowing smoothly until Jordan Carmichael, the adventure tour guy I’ve known since high school, hit a rough patch.
His five-year-old son, Ryder, needs stability after losing his mother, and with her parents fighting for custody, I propose a bold plan: let’s get married for a year.
I want to help him keep his family together, and when Jordan offers to assist me in securing a loan for the local bakery, it seems like a win-win for both of us.
There’s just one tiny hitch—I’ve sworn off marriage after escaping my emotionally abusive ex-husband. I’m terrified of repeating past mistakes and dragging anyone else into my mess, especially Jordan.
But as we draft a contract with rules—including only kissing when necessary to convince the town we’re “really” married—I feel sparks rising faster than a soufflé…
Once I move in with Jordan, all bets are off as those rules crumble faster than a cookie. Late-night talks turn into stolen snuggles, and playful moments leave my heart racing.
Suddenly, we slip into a closeness that feels all too real. It seems like maybe we’ve figured out a delicious recipe for a love that just might last…
But when our secret is exposed, Jordan’s custody case hangs in the balance—and so does my heart.
Can we whisk together this tempting blend of friendship, pretend love, and true emotions without creating a hopeless mess?