Faking a Second Chance: A Best Friend’s Brother Next Door Neighbor Sweet Romance

Forgive my ex next door? Not a chance.
Fake date him? That’s a whole new level of insanity.

Freshly off a divorce, I just want a simple life with my son and my bookstore.
No complications. No distractions.

But then Leo Carter, my high school sweetheart, moves in next door.
Years ago, he left without a word. And I hate him for it.

My best friend? She’s never mentioned her grumpy brother.
She knows he’s the guy I’ve spent years trying to forget.

Then strange things happen at my store.
Power outages. Fire alarms. Threatening notes.
He becomes the protector I never knew I needed.

We fake date for protection.
But those pretend kisses and lingering touches feel way too real.
I can’t deny the feelings creeping back.

I tell myself I’m supposed to hate him.
But my heart doesn’t listen.
Even worse? My son adores him.

Letting Leo back in means risking everything.
And if he leaves me again… I won’t survive another heartbreak.