The Deal Maker

Lucy Jones, the maid of honor, and Hunter Bain, the best man, fabricate a romance to keep the peace at an upcoming wedding. The only thing they cannot fake are the sparks between them. Lucy is tired of being overshadowed by her sister Elizabeth, who is beautiful, serene, and engaged. At thirty and single, Lucy faces constant criticism from her mother. When Elizabeth names her maid of honor, Lucy sees an opportunity to rebrand herself as polished and sophisticated. She will prove she measures up. Hunter Bain is the best man—a business professional and self-described walking scowl. He is rude and aggravating, and Lucy finds him the most difficult person she has met. As partners planning the joint bachelor/bachelorette weekend, they clash constantly. From drunken disasters to events on Martha's Vineyard, they cannot stop arguing. One impulsive lie forces them to pretend they are dating. What is supposed to be temporary and fake becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as lingering glances, stolen kisses, and unexpected laughter blur the line between what is real and what is not. The story features sharp banter, slow-burn tension, and chaos, exploring messy families, fake relationships, and unexpected love.