Liz Tomforde

RYAN

She’s a distraction, that’s what she is.

I’m the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago’s NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister’s best friend, to move into my apartment. She’s messy, emotional, and way too tempting.

But when the team’s General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can’t think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate.

The only problem? Faking it feels far too natural.

Having a fake girlfriend wasn’t supposed to be messy but having Indy under my roof and in my bed is complicated, especially when she wants all the romantic parts of life that I could never give her.


INDY

I never imagined I’d be living with my best friend’s brother, NBA superstar Ryan Shay. Even more unbelievable? He needs me to act as his loving girlfriend who’s suddenly changed him into a friendly and approachable guy.

Because, well…he’s not. He’s controlling of his space and untrusting of others.

Our arrangement isn’t one-sided, though. I’m in a wedding coming up, one where every one of my childhood friends, including my ex-boyfriend, will be in attendance, and there’s no better date than my ex’s celebrity hero.

Blurred lines make it almost impossible to separate real from fake. Falling for my roommate was never part of the deal, especially when Ryan is quick to remind me that he doesn’t believe in love.

I’m a romantic and can’t help fantasizing that he’ll change, but soon enough, I find myself questioning if sharing a roof with my best friend’s brother was the right move after all

Windy City #2

The Right Move

grayson gruber

“I’m a romance reader. I have a thing for assholes.” 

Sophia

I've been to this apartment a handful of times since I met Stevie, but it never looked this empty and...lonely. Stevie is as bright as I am. I guess all the colour left when she did.

Oh I'm going to enjoy this book so much haha

"Oh, it's all him. Sweetest man I've ever met. And emotional! Did you know he was so emotional?"

"I had no idea. Shay is always so composed around here."

"Oh, he's emotional all right! Huge crier too. He sobbed the first time we made lo-"

"Do you know how to flare your nostrils in anger?"

My breakfast almost comes back up. "What?"

"If you see me across the room, talking to another man, I need you to stare intently then flare your nostrils. Or grind your molars together and tic your jaw."

"Yeah, I don't really know what that's supposed to sound like, but every one of my book boyfriends is big into growling. Oh! And can you darken your eyes?"

"Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?"

"No, I can't fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?"

Zanders folds over his steering wheel in laughter. "Ryan, my guy, you're so completely fucked, and you can't even see it."

At some point, I should probably tell her that my love language is whichever one she wants it to be so she can stop guessing. I'll make sure that girl feels loved however she needs.

"You know that jersey you've got with my last name on it? When you see it hanging there in your closet, let it serve as a reminder to you, that soon enough, it'll be her last name too."

I click my glass with his because sometimes I'm an asshole, and then I go find my girl.

Amelia

"To be honest, Ind, I don't know who I'm more jealous of. If this were any other guy, I'd hate them, but this is Ryan Shay we're talking about. I wish I were you." I turn back to Zanders. "To answer your question, he made me cry." “I’ll kill him,” Rio declared.

raia – inactive

"Ryan, your house was like a prison cell. It needed some life.” 

“There’s a fucking tree in my living room!”

:I tried! I really tried to keep them alive, but I think I watered them too much and drowned them. Then when I went down to the flower stand today to buy the same ones in hopes you wouldn’t notice, they didn’t have them. So I bought you some called Black-eyed Susan? Which is the weirdest fucking thing to call a flower.

The Right Move quotes

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