No fooling around. No falling in love. What can possibly go wrong?
Note to self: When your boyfriend dumps you on your thirtieth birthday, it's probably not the smartest idea to drink so much that you wake up in the same bed as the mysterious hottie wearing the gorgeous suit who you noticed sitting across the bar.
The only silver lining in my obvious lack of judgment is the promise of never seeing Mr. Suit again, not in a city the size of New York.
Or so I thought, until a story I'm working on about the country's most sought-after and elusive escort lands me in the same café as Mr. Suit. So I do what any self-respecting woman of my age would do in my shoes... Try to ignore him.
But he won't let me.
Instead he makes a proposition that leaves me questioning whether I need to have my ears checked. Be his fake girlfriend for a summer of wealth and excess in the Hamptons. In return, he'll help me win back my boyfriend's heart.
Juvenile? You bet.
Effective? Could be.
Bad idea? Most likely.
But what do I have to lose?
Apparently, a lot more than I originally bargained for.
Let the games begin...
Acknowledgments
I know I tend to say this about all of my books, but this time I mean it. Writing the first half of Wes and Londyn’s story has been the most challenging part of my author career. I’ve written twenty-something books at this point (I think 27?), and it never gets easier. I know how to write a love story. But the story contained in these pages is so much more than a love story.
There were quite a few scenes I literally had to get up and step away from my laptop because it physically hurt my heart. I’m lucky to have grown up in a very welcoming and accepting family. I never really learned what hate was or was exposed to it in any way. Like Julia teaches young Imogene, my parents taught me to treat everyone I encountered with respect, regardless of race, national origin, or sexual orientation. And these were all lessons I carried with me into my adulthood, and during my time working in the criminal justice system.
So on that note, I must first thank all my incredible sensitivity readers for taking the time to read this and offer me feedback on what it’s like being black in America — Renita, Curtis, Crystal, and Keeana. You all rock my world. I promise to have Atonement to y’all very soon. And thank you for supporting this project with everything you have.
A big thank you to my husband, Stan, for never complaining when inspiration strikes and I ramble restlessly, talking out plot points for you to help with. I couldn’t do this without you.
Thanks to my little Harper Leigh. You make me want to be a better person. It’s my hope that you never have to know hate.
To my amazing editor, Kim Young. Thanks for working your magic on these pages. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you do to fit me into your schedule.
To my incredible PA, Melissa Crump. You rock my world. Thanks for keeping me organized. I couldn’t do any of this without you. I know. I tried. And I was ready to pull my hair out. Love you.
To my BFF, A.D. Justice. Thanks for always being a quick message away whenever I need you to talk sense into me. This business would suck if I didn’t have you on my side.
To my beta team. Thank you for dropping everything to read and offer feedback for me! Joelle, Lin, Stacy, and Vicky. You guys rock my world. #BurnhamBitchesForLife
To my admin team — Melissa, Joelle, Lin, Vicky, and Lea. Thanks for keeping my social media and reader group running smoothly when I’m locked in the cave. I’m so incredibly grateful for all you do for me.
To my fantastic promo team! Thanks for always helping to share my books with the world. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you do for me.
To my review team — thanks for taking the time to review each and every one of my books, regardless of the subject matter. I appreciate each and every one of you!
To my reader group. Thanks for giving me a fun space to disappear to when I need a laugh.
And last but not least, thank you to YOU! Thanks for picking up this book. Whether it’s your first T.K. Leigh book or your twenty-something, I appreciate each and every one of you. Sorry about the cliffy. I promise to get Atonement to you as soon as possible!
Love & Peace,
~ T.K.
Books by T.K. Leigh
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Dating Games Series
Dating Games
Wicked Games
Mind Games
Dangerous Games
Royal Games
Tangled Games
The Redemption Series
Promise (A Redemption Duet Prologue)
Commitment (Redemption Duet #1)
Redemption (Redemption Duet #2)
Possession (Possession Duet #1)
Atonement (Possession Duet #2)
ROMANTIC COMEDY
The Book Boyfriend Chronicles
The Other Side of Someday
Writing Mr. Right
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
The Vault
Inferno: Part 1
Inferno: Part 2
Inferno: Part 3
Inferno: Part 4
The Beautiful Mess Series
A Beautiful Mess
A Tragic Wreck
Gorgeous Chaos
The Deception Duet
(A Beautiful Mess Series Spinoff Duet)
Chasing the Dragon
Slaying The Dragon
Beautiful Mess Series Standalones
Vanished
Heart of Marley
Heart of Light
For more information on any of these titles and upcoming releases, please visit T.K.’s website:
About the Author
T.K. Leigh is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Beautiful Mess series, in addition to several other works, ranging from fun and flirty to sexy and suspenseful. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, beautiful daughter, rescued special needs dog, and three cats. When she’s not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found training for her next marathon (of which she has run over twenty fulls and far too many halfs to recall) or chasing her daughter around the house.
T.K. Leigh is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. All publishing inquiries, including audio, foreign, and film rights, should be directed to her.
Connect with her online!
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