GUARDED BY HER FAKE BOYFRIEND

MERCEDES

Planning the town dance fundraiser is the perfect way to keep my mind off my toxic ex. But when he slithers back into Berry Ridge, I feel just as small as when we were together. Desperate, I blurt out a lie: Deacon, the radio station's grumpy sound engineer, is my boyfriend. Now, I need him to play along and keep Leo at bay. The thing is, Deacon's more than just a safe cover. The warmth beneath his gruff exterior is starting to melt my heart.

DEACON

Given my covert crush on her,  agreeing to be Mercy's fake boyfriend was a risky move, especially after my ex brutally dumped me when I transitioned. But seeing the fear in her eyes makes it impossible to say no. I've always been drawn to her kindness and vivacity. Pretending to be in love isn't hard; the challenge is keeping my real feelings in check. As we navigate this charade - and Leo's harassment - I'll show Mercy she can rely on me for more than just protection. I’ll love her like she deserves... even if she never feels the same.

Time to Read: Approx. 90 Minutes

Tropes: protector romance, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, Pansexual FMC / Trans MMC pairing

Content Warning: Light harassment from FMC's toxic ex, MMC discusses transphobic ex, explicit sexual content