He needs a girlfriend for his sister's over-the-top wedding week. She needs a miracle for her struggling cafe. Now they're pretending to date—and neither is ready for what comes next.

Scarlett never planned to fake date her brother's best friend, Brendan Marco. But when the grumpy hockey coach needs a girlfriend for a week of wedding events, she suddenly finds herself playing the part at his hockey games and a long list of lavish family events.

In exchange, Brendan agrees to help her land the arena vendor contract that could save her cafe.

It's the perfect arrangement—temporary, harmless, and completely fake.

Between a dreamy week at an extravagant estate and wedding week shenanigans, their pretend relationship starts to feel dangerously real.

Scarlett is determined to keep things professional, which should be easy, right?

Except Brendan Marco has always been her weakness—ever since that kiss they shared back in high school that neither of them has ever mentioned again.

Now he's looking at her differently.

Not like a friend.

Not like a teammate's sister.

Like she's the best thing that's ever walked into the room.

When wedding week chaos brings family secrets and buried feelings to the surface, Scarlett has to face the truth:

Pretending to date her brother's best friend was never the real problem.

Falling in love with him might be.

Tropes: fake dating; friends to lovers; brother's best friend; forced proximity; wedding week chaos.

Perfect for those who love a closed-door romance with sizzle but no spice. Just crackling chemistry and a sweet, feel-good romance. This book reads beautifully as a standalone.

For fans of Jenny Proctor, Emma St. Clair, the Appies Hockey Series, Courtney Walsh, Leah Brunner, Katie Bailey, and readers who enjoy no-spice hockey romances.