Page 5 of Faking the Book Boyfriend

Ava shakes her head. “It would be more personal if we met the clients face-to-face.”

Libby toggles her head and finger around at all of us. “Y’all are talking like we’re actually going to do this.”

JoJo challenges, “Why shouldn’t we? Who better to help men become book boyfriends than romance authors? We know all the tricks. And just think about how many women it would help.They could turn their man into theirdream manwith a little advice from four authors who know a thing or two about what women want.”

Libby considers it for a moment. “True. We all get tons of messages and reviews from readers saying they wish they could find a man like the ones in our books.”

I nod. “And though we write our men as uber attractive, I guarantee ninety percent of those women are more interested in how the book boyfriendsactthan their physical appearance.” I feel tears welling in my eyes as it becomes a bit more personal for me. “Every woman wants to be treated with the respect she deserves.”

Something Aiden never truly gave me. Libby knows this and offers me a hug before asking, “You really think we can do it?”

I swallow back my tears and smile. “Fuck yeah we can. I think it could be something really great. We all bring unique talents to the table. Lib, you can whip us up a website in minutes.” I look at Ava. “You’re a marketing genius. You and JoJo,” who’s in PR, “can get our business seen on every cell phone in this country. In the world!”

I see the corners of JoJo’s lips raise. “Gem, you can make sure everything is legal. This is fucking brilliant. I’m all in. Let’s do this.”

Ava blows out a breath. “Are you guys cool showing your faces?”

We all nod that we are.

“Good. Cause, TBH, we’re kinda hotties, and I think we should record a few videos about this new endeavor. We’ll spread them around on social media. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get them seen right away. And JoJo makes amazing videos. We’ll both make a few.”

I mumble, “Then make my fucking books hit on TikTok, dammit.”

Ava giggles. “Not even Einstein could crack the BookTok code. But this? This is right in my wheelhouse.”

We scramble for a long while, each working copiously on our respective roles. I look around at my friends and smile. They’re so into it.

At some point, we’re ready to go live. JoJo looks at Libby and nods her head. “Activate the website.”

Libby makes a slow show of pressing the button on her laptop.

We all immediately share our various creations across our social media accounts. I can’t believe we actually did this. “That may have been the most idiotic thing we’ve ever done.”

Libby scowls at me. “It was your idea.”

She does make a good point.

We continue to laugh about the advice we’d give men and drink until we can’t see straight. The last thing I remember before passing out is us all clinking glasses and yelling, “To the Book Boyfriend Builders!”

Chapter

One

TREY

I smileinto my phone as I look at my niece, Maggie’s, adorable little freckled face and messy brown hair. “Sorry I had to leave your T-ball game early today, but I saw your homerun. You’re a chip off the old block.”

“Uncle Twey,” she can’t pronounce her blended R’s yet, “Mommy said I hit like her, not you.”

I hear my sister, Diana, laughing in the background before she yells, “It’s true, Magpie. I was always a better hitter than Uncle Trey.”

I twist my lips. “Hmm, that might be a little true, at least when I was four, like you, Magpie. Your mommy was six, so she was bigger and stronger than I was. She was a very good ballplayer.”

Maggie gives me one of her sweet smiles. “Will you come to another game? All the parents on the team were excited you were there. My fwiend Jenna said you’re famous. I told her it wasn’t twue, but she asked if she could have your autogwaph.”

I chuckle. She’s so freakin’ cute. “Of course your friend can have my autograph. I’ll bring Bombers’ stuff for everyone onyour team. If you want me at your next game, I’ll be there, baby girl.”

“Yay! Thanks, Uncle Twey. I gotta go eat my veggies so I can have ice cweam tonight. Mommy wants to talk to you.”

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