Shane



When I quit my job, my boss threatened that I'd never work as a lawyer again . . . I figured he was a fossil with an elevated sense of self-importance, but two months later, I have to admit he has reach. Only one firm is interested in giving me a job, and there's been a slight misunderstanding. One of the partners saw me with my best friend's sister, Ruthie, and her daughter, and now they think I'm a family man.



To my mind, wedding bells only lead to misery, but it seems to be the only reason they want to hire me. So I play along. Of course, they want to meet my family, so I have to ask Ruthie, who's hated me for years, if she'd like a part-time job as my wife.



Ruthie



My brother's best friend is a vain, stuffed suit of a man, and one of my favorite pastimes is teasing him. So I'm stunned when he asks me to pose as his wife.



Still . . . I can't deny it's a compelling offer. I'm trying to get my small business off the ground, but it's proven near impossible with my full-time waitressing job, lack of childcare, and terrible health insurance. Shane is offering me a chance to turn my life around. All I have to do is pretend to like him . . .



Contains mature themes.