How to Not Fall Series

Let me just say this upfront: I have zero plans to fall for Ian Kendrick. Not after my recent breakup. Not with all the embarrassing memories I’m sure he still has of me from when we were kids. And definitely not while we’re living a few feet apart, because if it doesn’t work out, things will get super awkward.

I know exactly what I want in life—and it’s not a guy like Roman Powell. He’s rigid. Rule-following. Uptight. Basically allergic to fun. So, not my type. But when he’s on the cover of Business Success magazine as one of the nation’s Top 10 Young (and Single) CEOs, my two million subscribers want me to film a peek into his world. I can survive an interview with Mr. Serious for the sake of great content. Easy. Except…nothing about the interview goes according to plan.

I have seven days and fifteen dates with different people to find my perfect guy—and to not fall for my best friend. Again. Max Peyton is everything I want in a future husband: fun, kind, and just the right mix of responsible and adventurous. Plus, he’s my best friend. He feels like comfort and acceptance and home, all wrapped into one. But I absolutely cannot fall for him. A year ago, when I almost (accidentally!) kissed him, he said he loved me like a sister. A sister. So, yeah, friend zone it is. Besides, Max doesn’t want to get married to anyone. Ever. And I very much do.

Twelve years ago, he broke my heart. Now I’m falling for him all over again—one anonymous message at a time. I don’t see a point in dating. Relationships are messy and they never end well. Plus, there’s the part where I seem to pick guys who are only pretty on the outside. So when a friend asks me to beta test a new blind dating app—the kind where you can’t see photos—I say yes, figuring I’ll spend a week chatting with strangers and confirming that dating is still the worst.