In the courtroom, I pride myself on how many times I can get the judge to bang the gavel and threaten me with contempt. Outside of work, I don’t have time for extra drama, which is why I’m perfectly happy with the no-strings arrangement I have with my bang buddy, Zac.
Unfortunately, my old-school colleagues consider a single woman a risk and are dragging their feet to make me partner. In order to effectively smash the patriarchy and survive the summer of couple-type events, I could use a fake fiancé. Zac’s also in a bind—his brother’s upcoming nuptials are filled with complications galore—so we strike a deal involving plus-one benefits. At first, all we can agree on is that we’d never actually work as a couple. But discovery is an important part of every case, and the more I try to blow off our growing connection, the louder my heart yells “I object.”
Zac is simply adorable…
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
Catalina,
From the moment we got caught getting handsy at your work function, our relationship has been one wild ride. Playing your fiancé has been eye-opening in so many ways. I’m so lucky to know a badass lawyer who can always get me off 😉
For years, I thought we had the perfect arrangement. A simple peach emoji would pop up in my texts, and I’d race to reply with my big ol’ eggplant. Our booty-call game was seriously strong. But when I needed someone by my side so I wouldn’t ruin my brother’s wedding, you were there. I worried that adding benefits to our arrangement would complicate things—and it has—but in the best possible way. Give me complicated. Give me smart and determined. Give me Catalina Mendes all day every day.
I’m so proud of you for making partner, kitty-cat. But because I’m a selfish bastard, I’m even more excited you’ve agreed to be my partner for life. Because while I adored my bang buddy, I’m even more in love with the woman I discovered hiding beneath her court-room shark exterior.
Yours always,
Zac
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the YA author of DEMONS OF THE SUN & ALL THE BROKEN PIECES, and the adult author of FALLING FOR HER FIANCE, ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME and CINDERELLA SCREWED ME OVER.
