When a fake dating scheme goes sideways, I do what any reasonable woman would do—convince my best friend to pretend he’s my jealous ex.

Austin James “Bond” is my ride-or-die. The guy who feels like a summer day. We’ve been best friends forever, and now he’s a firefighter-slash-baker in Huckleberry Hill with a smile that could melt butter and hugs that fix everything.

We even spend every Valentine’s Day together. Just friends. Totally normal. Completely fine. It’s not like I’ve been secretly in love with him for years.

The problem is that my fake relationship with a sketchy coworker was supposed to expose his shady dealings. Instead, he proposed; the ring is stuck on my finger, and now he’s followed me to Huckleberry Hill, demanding answers.

Without hesitation, Austin agrees to pretend we’re madly in love, and suddenly we’re holding hands at town events, slow dancing at the Fireman’s Ball, and sharing ice cream like it means something. And when he gives me that look, I feel very much like a Bond girl.

But loving Austin isn’t the risk. Losing him is. And when the truth finally comes out, will the man who’s always been my safe place see me as more than just a friend?