I never thought I’d see her again—the woman I left behind at the motel after our one-night stand.

So, when she walks into my office as my new assistant, I’m in for a shock.

But that’s just the beginning.

I come home to find her with suitcases, stranded and nowhere to stay.

Sure, I could turn her away, but my nosy aunt is visiting, and she’s itching to meet my non-existent spouse.

My assistant is ready to join the madness of pretending to be my loving wife.

Here’s our plan:

1. Top-secret marriage: This charade is classified at work. No slip-ups allowed! We’re in this purely for show.

2. No falling in love: Not even if Cupid himself shoots his arrow.

3. Fake it till we make it: We have to sell this like we’re madly in love—that means sharing a bed and putting on a stellar performance.

Little did I know what I was signing up for: extinguishing fires (note to self: keep shorts handy), testing her dubious claim as the “World’s Best Kisser” (spoiler: the results are … shocking), and discovering a newfound appreciation for cramped spaces—and running washing machines.

But then she disappears.

Now I’m spiraling through a haze of “what ifs.”

Did I just let the most remarkable woman slip through my fingers?