Our Christmas Cover Story

A Fake Dating Friends to Lovers Sweet Romance

By: Sophie Shelton

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

I came home to save a festival, not to fall for my best friend, while we fake dated.

I have seven days to revive my town’s holiday traditions or watch my promotion go to someone else.

I rope my best friend Chris Snow, into pretending we’re a couple.

What starts as a pact to fool the council turns into a week of hand holding even when no one’s around.

I like the way his thumb brushes my knuckles when neighbors stop to chat, and the feel of his arms around me when I’m stressed And when he kisses me under the mistletoe, my breath catches.

This was supposed to be for show. Turns out, he’s all I ever wanted.

Then the town votes to revive the Lantern Walk, a tradition Chris once loved—but not since this winter’s loss.

If I can’t find another way to restore the tradition, proving I’m worthy of the promotion will mean hurting the man I love.