I thought we had everything under control—a simple, no-strings-attached plan to keep our families happy.

Pretend to date during the holidays, escape the endless questions about our love lives, and go back to our successful careers in the city. Easy, right?

But pretending with Jeff, my billionaire boss, was a lot harder than I thought.

He’s charming, annoyingly handsome, and hiding a softer side I wasn’t ready for. And now, one fake kiss at his family’s Christmas party turned into something neither of us can walk away from.

Now, I’ve got a few big problems on my hands:

1. My heart races every time we’re together.
2. I can’t stop thinking about how real this is starting to feel.
3. His family loves me—and mine loves him too.

We were supposed to fake it until New Year’s and go back to our separate lives. But now that I’ve seen the man behind the sharp suits and city skyline, I can’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, we could make this real.

But Jeff’s world is far from simple, and falling for him means risking everything—my heart, my career, and the perfectly safe life I thought I wanted.

I swore I wouldn’t let love in, but you’d never expect what happens next because I certainly didn’t.

Jeff

The waves crashed gently against the shore as we gathered at my friend Michael’s wedding in Virgin Cove. The beachfront mansion, with its stunning views of the Atlantic, had been transformed into a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights adorned every surface and the air was filled with the scents of pine and cinnamon, wafting through the salty sea breeze.

As I stood by the lavish bar, sipping on a glass of twelve-year-old scotch, I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider among the lively chatter and clinking glasses. My fair complexion and blonde hair stood out amidst the dark-haired relatives, a constant reminder of my adopted status. Don’t get me wrong – I love my family deeply and they have always treated me as their own. But moments like these, surrounded by the boisterous laughter and rapid-fire Farsi conversations, always stirred up a mix of emotions within me.

“Jeff joon!” My maman’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

Roxanne Nourizi glided towards me, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She wore a stunning emerald, green gown that illuminated under the sparkling chandeliers. As she reached me, she enveloped me in a warm hug, and I couldn’t help but inhale the familiar scent of her signature perfume mixed with the comforting aroma of ghormeh sabzi.

“You look so handsome in your suit, my darling,” she said, patting my cheek affectionately.

“Thank you, Maman,” I replied with a smile.

Her mischievous eyes twinkled as she leaned in closer. “You know, you’re starting to resemble your pedar more and more each day.”

I chuckled at her comment, grateful for her playful teasing. But then came the question I had been dreading all evening.

“So, when are you going to settle down?” she asked with a sly smile. “You’re not getting any younger, mon cher.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my tailored suit, running a hand through my hair – a nervous habit I couldn’t seem to shake. “I’m focused on my career at the moment, Maman. The right person will come along when the time is right.”

She made a disapproving sound with her tongue. “But Jeff joon, you’re quite an eligible bachelor! A successful lawyer, handsome, and kind-hearted…” She started counting off my supposed traits on her fingers, as if they were ingredients for one of her famous recipes.

“I appreciate the praise, Maman. But these things can’t be rushed, you know?” I attempted to steer the conversation away from my love life. “How is Pedar doing? I heard his latest business venture is taking off.”

But Maman wasn’t so easily deterred. “Your father is doing well. Always busy, that man. Now, about you – have you considered meeting Shirin’s daughter? She’s a doctor, you know. Very beautiful and intelligent.”

I nodded politely while scanning the room for an escape route. And then I saw her – Miley, my colleague at work. Her chestnut hair was styled in an elegant bun, and bright red highlights caught the light as she moved around the room. She seemed just as out of place as I felt, standing awkwardly with a group of chattering bridesmaids.

“Excuse me, Maman,” I interjected eagerly. “I believe I see a colleague over there. I should go say hello.”

My dress shoes clicked against the polished floor as I made my way through the crowded room. The sounds of chatter and clinking glasses filled the air, but one voice stood out to me. Miley’s. She was standing near a cluster of potted plants, looking uncomfortable in a sea of designer gowns and tuxedos.

I navigated through the guests until I reached her side, offering her a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. Her red, green dress caught my eye, a bold choice compared to her usual office attire of crisp suits and sensible shoes.

“Jeff, hey,” she said with relief, taking the glass gratefully. “I was hoping to see you. Michael and Britney looked so happy at the altar.”

“They did.” I took a sip of my scotch, savoring the warmth in my throat. “How are you holding up?”

Miley sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Honestly? I feel like a fish out of water. These high-society weddings aren’t really my scene. I’m more of a backyard BBQ kind of girl.”

A laugh escaped me, surprised by her honesty. “Tell me about it. I may have grown up in this world, but I never quite fit in. There’s always this… I don’t know, this sense of being an outsider looking in.”

Miley’s gaze softened as she leaned in closer, her hand reaching out to gently touch my arm. “That makes sense,” she said, her voice filled with understanding. “Being adopted must have its own challenges and emotions.”

I nodded, grateful for her empathy. “Yeah, it’s a complex mix of gratitude and curiosity.” I paused, unsure how to put my feelings into words. “I love my family, but there’s always this lingering that someone is looking for me.”

Miley squeezed my arm reassuringly. “I can imagine that must be tough.”

“It can be,” I admitted, feeling a weight lift off my chest as I opened up to her. “It’s mostly silly as I have a great life.”

“Nothing is silly.” Miley nodded sympathetically. “I can see how that would bring up a lot of emotions.”

“Yet I’d not trade my family for anything.” I smiled gratefully at her before changing the subject. “But let’s talk about something more cheerful. Any plans for the holidays?”

Her sigh was overdramatic, her eyes rolling so hard I thought they might get stuck. “Ugh, don’t even remind me. I have to go back home next week for the Wintervale Holiday Festival. It’s like a scene out of a cheesy Hallmark movie, complete with fake snow and mistletoe.”

I arched an eyebrow, intrigued. “Sounds like fun?”

Miley laughed bitterly, but there was a flicker of genuine dread in her expression. “You have no idea. My family uses this festival as an excuse to parade every single eligible bachelor in front of me.”

“Ah, the joys of small-town life,” I chuckled.

“It’s a nightmare,” Miley admitted with a wince. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but their attempts at matchmaking are relentless. My mom has this whole ‘vision board’ for my ideal man, and she’s recruited half the town to help find him.”

“A vision board? That’s some serious dedication.”

“You have no idea,” Miley shook her head with a rueful smile. “Last year, she even tried to set me up with my high school ex. And I think it’s her plan again this year. As if our disastrous prom night wasn’t enough.”

I winced sympathetically as Miley let out a heavy sigh and took a long sip of her champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose. “Ouch. That’s… intense,” I said. “Sounds like you need a Christmas escape plan. How do you usually fend off the matchmaking attempts?”

She gritted her teeth like she would in court when she needed a second, looking tired already even though the party had just begun. “Honestly? I usually just grin and bear it. Make polite conversation, walk the fair with Tom, the ex’s name, and count down the days until I can escape back to the city.” She took another sip before continuing, “But this year… I don’t know, Jeff. I’m dreading it more than usual.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

She hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether or not to share. Finally, she spoke with a hint of vulnerability in her voice, “Well, my little sister just got engaged.” She smiled fondly at the thought but then quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled for her. I wish she’d go to college, but for me, now the pressure’s really on, you know? It’s like there’s this ticking clock over my head, and everyone’s watching, waiting for me to ‘catch up’.”

I nodded in understanding. As a successful lawyer in a prestigious firm, we both knew the expectations placed upon us by society and our families. “The joys of being the last single one standing, huh?”

“Exactly,” Miley said with a grateful smile, relieved to have someone who understood the struggle. “It’s nice to talk to someone who gets it though math wise you still have single brothers. Sometimes I feel like I’m crazy for not wanting to settle down right away. Like there’s something wrong with me for wanting to focus on my career.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I assured her firmly, feeling fiercely protective of my friend. “We’ve worked hard to get where we are. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to prioritize that.”

Miley’s smile was genuine, her eyes sparkling with gratitude as she leaned in for a hug. Amidst the chaos of the wedding reception, we found solace in each other’s company.

As we stood there, surrounded by hundreds of people rushing around us, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We laughed and reminisced about our friends and our lives. The warmth of our friendship made the cold December air feel less harsh.

“So, what are your plans for the holidays?” Miley asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us.

I chuckled, knowing exactly what she meant. “Probably like you just dodging questions from my relatives about when I’m going to settle down and start a family,” I replied.

Miley let out a sympathetic sigh. “I know how that feels. Sometimes I think about skipping out on all the chaos and booking a trip to some tropical island instead. No awkward family gatherings or nosy relatives.”

“Why don’t we?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“We huh?” She shrugged, a wistful expression crossing her face. “As crazy as they can be, I love my family. And Wintervale… it’s home. Even with all its quirks and matchmaking attempts, there’s something magical about this town during the holiday season. The twinkling lights, the smell of freshly baked gingerbread, and everyone coming together for the festival… it’s home.”

As Miley spoke, her bright brown eyes sparkled with excitement, and I couldn’t help but be captivated. She fiddled with her grandmother’s antique necklace, a small gesture that revealed her nervousness. Despite her outward complaints, there was a flicker of love for this town and its traditions in her voice. My heart ached with envy as she described the deep-rooted connection, she felt to Wintervale and its people.

Just then, a group of bridesmaids called out to Miley, interrupting our conversation. She rolled her eyes playfully, but I could sense the underlying exhaustion and obligation in her response.

“Duty calls,” she said to me with a rueful smile. “It was great talking to you, Jeff. Maybe we’ll catch up at work?”

I nodded, already feeling reluctant to end our interaction. “Yeah, see you there.” A thought popped into my head, fueled by our conversation about family pressures and expectations. I blurted it out without thinking.

“Hey, what if we both come back engaged after our respective trips? Maybe we can start a trend in Wintervale.”

Miley laughed, the sound light and melodic. “That would definitely change things. Maybe I’ll come back engaged to the town’s most eligible snowman.”

We exchanged one last smile before she turned and walked away, leaving me alone with my impulsive idea. As I watched her go, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of curiosity and longing that had been stirred by our conversation.

I watched Miley and her friends dance in a circle, their laughter filling the air as they gathered for the bouquet toss. As the bride threw the flowers into the excited crowd, I couldn’t help but imagine how different my life would be if Miley and I were a real couple.

But it was just wishful thinking. Miley was my best friend, and business partner. I trusted her implicitly.

As the bouquet flew through the air, narrowly missing Miley who had expertly dodged it, a thought hit me.

What if we could solve both of our problems by pretending to be each other’s significant others for the holidays? We could fend off our families’ pressures together and maybe even have some fun experiencing small-town festivities.

Who knows, maybe it could actually benefit us both. I could enjoy attending the Wintervale Holiday Festival and walking next to her.

With my heart racing, I walked over to Miley who had just returned to the bar after her narrow escape from the bouquet. This was my moment. Time to make a move.

“Hey, Miley,” I called out confidently, trying not to show how nervous I really was. “Do you have a minute? There’s something I’ve been thinking about.”

As she turned towards me with curiosity in her eyes, I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for what might come next. Whatever happened, one thing was for sure – this holiday season was going to be anything but ordinary.