Reluctantly Yours (Unexpectedly in Love, #1)

by Erin Hawkins

I find weddings and love in general to be a waste of my time.

Chloe Anderson tests my limits with every encounter.

The only reason I’m up past midnight is if I can’t put down the book I’m reading.

Barrett is a robot in a suit.

“Do you remember the power that learning to read gave you? The independence that reading a book on your own allowed? The places that reading could transport you on a rainy day when it was too wet to play outside? I would devour book after book. That’s the excitement that we want to give to kids. The ability to read and having resources that provide kids with books isn’t frivolous, it’s a lifeline.”

“Chloe Anderson,” he shakes his head, “you’ve been a bad girl.”

Be safe – B

“Was it love at first sight like with me and Fred?”

“Yes,”

“No.”

“What Chloe means is that she was not a big fan of me but I was q...

“You two make an attractive couple. You always seemed to be at each other’s throats. Chemistry, I suppose it is.”

“But I always thought there was something between you and Miss Chloe.” She smiles. “I had a feeling about it. Now I know I was right.”

“My boyfriend answer is your smile.”

“Are you going to be like the Beast and allow me access to any book in your library?”

“What beast?”

“Like in the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast where he holds her captive and she loves to read so ...

“Have you heard of WordIt? It’s some kind of word game app.”

“Find the developer. Draw up an offer.”

“No one’s called me an idiot in a while and gotten away with it. I’ll take that out on you on the racquetball court.”

“And he liked my dress.”

“Of course, he did.”

“He wants anything tha...

“You are the worst. You couldn’t give me a complime...

“That’s what this is about? What ...

“...

“Yes. Maybe if you weren’t doling out compliments left and right to anyone who wasn’t me, ...

“You want to know why I told other women they looked nice, or lovely or some other ...

“It wasn’t bullshit. They did l...

“You drive me fucking crazy.”

“Same,”

Chloe notices the moment that I realize this, her face lighting up even brighter than it did when she was snuggling Baxter. I’ve never seen her smile like that. She’s happy. The dog makes her happy. Looking at Chloe my chest feels tight, but I refuse to acknowledge what it could mean.

“I like words.”

“I can tell.”

“Why are you smiling?”

“You’re losing.”

“A...

“Yes to ...

“You should smile more,” I tell him, an idea forming in my brain. “In fact, I’m goi...

“That seems like ...

“Not at all.” I shake my head. “It’s a...

“How many times of day would be ...

“It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s always d...

“You told me I should smile more. You put it on your list.”

It suddenly feels like there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep that smile on her face.

“You.”

“I would never force myself on you. On any woman. Which maybe doesn’t ring true with the fact that you are reluctantly pretending to be my girlfriend for a business deal, but I would never physically force myself on you.”

“We’re going to find him.”

“I’ll employ a full-time search and rescue team if I have to.”

“You’d do that? For...