Marrying my neighbor wasn’t part of the plan—until it became the only way to protect my daughter.
I’m a single dad and a surgeon. My life is busy but controlled. Romance? Not even on my radar.
Then Talia Vance moves in next door.
She’s sharp, confident, and impossible to ignore. Her no-nonsense attitude gets under my skin. I can’t stand her. But my daughter, Marigold, adores her.
When my late wife’s family threatens to take Marigold, I’m out of options. Talia’s joke about a fake marriage becomes my last hope.
It’s supposed to be simple. Just a favor. No feelings.
But being so close to Talia—and working together—changes everything. Her laughter fills the house. Her warmth melts the walls I’ve built. And now, I’m falling for her.
If my in-laws find out this marriage is fake, it could all fall apart. I could lose Marigold.
And just when I think I’ve got everything under control, one unexpected moment shatters the line between fake and forever.