*DUET narration by Amanda Friday and Tyler Hyrchuk!

We were just supposed to be roommates—marriage wasn’t even a thought. Yet here I am taking his last name before I’ve ever kissed him.

When I moved to Oregon, it was for two reasons: a new job at a veterinary clinic and to be closer to my sister. In desperate need of somewhere to live, I moved in with Miles Granger. It was purely out of necessity—I was tight on cash but definitely didn’t want to resort to sleeping on my sister’s uncomfortable couch.

Miles and I don’t even really know each other. Green Valley’s self-appointed grandmother, Margaret, worked it out for us, promising me that Miles was harmless.

Except he’s not harmless.

Not to my heart.

I thought I had a thick enough wall around my heart to protect me, but then Miles carefully dismantled it piece by piece. He shows me that he’s best-friend material, can handle any teasing I hand out, and isn’t afraid to dish it back. Soon, he wiggles his way past my defenses and is much more than just a housemate.

When a family bet gets a little out of hand, Miles asks for my help. I know I should keep an emotional distance between us, but if we get married, it solves both of our problems. Miles gets to win the bet and I get to pay off a huge student loan.

It’s a marriage in name only. If I keep all these messy feelings packed away, everything will turn out fine.

All I know is that I can’t risk falling for him when he sees me as just a roommate that he happens to be married to.

Because if I do? I’m afraid Miles will have the power to shatter my heart.