The Men

After the stunt my ex pulled, no one would blame me if I swore off men forever, especially one like Mr Jay Anderson, Hollywood’s sexiest heartthrob. Maybe undressing me with his striking blue eyes as I perform the safety demonstration on a flight to LA is normal behaviour for him. Maybe not. But I know one thing for sure, he should come with a warning label. Because once you meet a man like Jay Anderson, there is no going back.

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness has never sold their worn stockings. Selling every pair to an anonymous buyer whilst working as a long-haul flight attendant means my lifelong dream is in reach. A home to call my own. It’s so close I can almost feel that front door key in my hand. Until a giant ego in an overpriced suit steals that dream. He’s smug, cocky, infuriating…everything I hate. I do what I must: I declare war. But no one ever truly wins on the battlefield. There will be casualties. He believes he has me. I think I know him. We are both wrong.

I meet him when he admires my artwork at a hotel opening. He’s older, he's sophisticated, he's a gentleman. At least he is with his clothes on. Out of them…well, that’s a masterpiece in itself. But even a connection as strong as ours means nothing once the champagne wears off. A promise to call me. Then…nothing. When he turns up as my new boss on the biggest project of my career, I try my hardest to turn the page and leave him in the past. Only, he isn’t a memory I can simply erase, no matter how hard I try.

There are men. Then there's Blake Anderson. He was my best friend—until I left. Ten years apart have turned him into a handsome, rugged, tattooed wall of muscle. He even has his own fan club following the success of his smash-hit TV survival show. They call him Mr. Wild. One night he shows me just how wild. For a moment, I almost believe in magic again. Almost. But those years away have changed me too. I'm not the girl he once knew.

They say, don't mix business with pleasure. I bet they never had to work with Griffin Parker. He headhunts me to manage the spa in his iconic New York hotel, the Songbird. It's a dream opportunity, but he's a nightmare in a designer suit. We clash spectacularly when he refuses to give up control. He doesn't trust me. I don't like him. Until one day, we manage to work together, and an idea grows wings. And the things he says… Oh God. I've spent my life fighting back against the repercussions of pleasing other people. Yet, I find myself doing exactly that.

Reed Walker, notorious playboy, is running for New York mayor. He wants to deflect attention away from his less-than-wholesome image. The past has no place when you're trying to win the people's vote. So he propositions me: Pretend to be his girlfriend until election day. Help him to look dependable, trustworthy, and loving someone people can relate to. It should be easy. I've spent years playing a role. What's one more? But slowly, I begin to glimpse the man beneath the suit and perfect smile. And what I discover takes my breath away.