Magnolia Ridge

I've always lived by one major rule, don't fall for your best friend, and this is one rule I can't break. I'm supposed to write an article about a topic so scandalous, I can't even say it. Starts with B, followed by DSM. I know nothing about the lifestyle, so I'm committed to learning the ropes—pun intended. When my best guy friend offers his help, I happily accept. Paxton Atwood might be ridiculously handsome, but we're platonic and there will be rules to follow. #1 No kissing. #2 Keep our undies on. #3 No actual boinking!

Picture this: I've got five brothers, and I'm the only girl. Standing out isn't easy. So, when I pitched my genius idea for jazzing up our family establishment, Atta Boy Brewery, you can bet he wasn't on board. Maybe he thinks I'm too much of a risk, or maybe he's just protecting his turf. The best friend? Griffin Cole, the hotshot chef and my brother's lifelong buddy. When I suggested turning a dusty storage room of the brewery into a party zone, I didn't expect Griffin to have my back. Suddenly, we're cooking up more than just great beer ideas together.

Falling for your grumpy neighbor? That's rule number one in the book of what not to do. Seriously, who could ever be into Shepherd Atwood, the king of grouchiness? Apparently, me. In a bid to prove that my love life isn't a complete disaster, fate throws me a curveball, and Shepherd offers to help. One magical night later, I thought maybe, just maybe, this prickly guy had a heart after all. But then, poof! He vanishes for months. Now, I've got a surprise of my own—a baby on the way.

My best friend is getting married in the glitzy, wild city of Las Vegas, and I'm honored to be a bridesmaid. There's just one tiny hiccup—my ex-boyfriend is also in the wedding party. I almost skip the whole thing, but then, at the airport, my knight in shining armor shows up. Well, more like Brock Atwood in scuffed Chucks. Brock offers to pretend to be my boyfriend to fool my ex into thinking I've moved on. What's in it for Brock? He gets a weekend free from his mother's relentless matchmaking, and I get the satisfaction of making my ex green with envy.