Butterflies

For Tara, hating James is easy. Forgetting everything that happened between them...not so much.

Maybe it'd be easier if every time she saw him, she wasn't staring straight into the face of everything she lost. But figuring out a way forward is coming at a steep cost.

James has his own version of the truth, and Tara's not the only one running from her past. But right now, he needs a girlfriend. Not just any girlfriend, but one convincing enough to keep his family off his back for a while. The problem is, the one person he thinks could make that happen hates his guts. She's also his ex.

When James strikes an expensive deal with Tara that solves both their problems, Tara thinks it's the easiest cash she's ever made. But spending time together opens old wounds deeper than either of them expected.

When a blast from the past catches up with them, James and Tara revisit a version of history they didn't know existed. Not only is it painful, it's dangerous. Soon enough, James and Tara find themselves fighting a losing battle-against each other, the truths they've come to believe, and the secrets hellbent on staying buried.

Tropes: Fake dating / touch her and die / she hates him / second chance / high school sweethearts / romantic suspense / reverse grumpy x sunshine