You want to know the secret to everlasting happiness? Never fall in love. That was the wisdom my father imparted to us James boys after our mom died, and it’s a piece of advice that’s served me well.

Until dear old Dad asks me for a favor over Sunday brunch. No big deal, right? I love making my old man happy.

Except this “favor” is a lot more complicated than picking up his dry cleaning. Dad wants me to marry and provide a few heirs for the James empire, and he’s even done me the courtesy of handpicking my bride-to-be.

Lucky me. But if I’m being honest, I’ve grown tired of the endless cycle of dating, the constant small talk, and the ever-shrinking pool of women I haven’t already invited for a sleepover.

I’m a lawyer, so contracts are kind of my thing. And that’s all marriage really is—a contract negotiated between two parties.

What could possibly go wrong?Enter Melanie Edison, the five-foot-four brunette with curves in ALL the right places. A veterinary nurse with the smartest mouth I’ve ever heard.

And I have more fun not dating her than I did dating any woman before, even with Melanie’s absurd no-sex-before-marriage rule. But when our business arrangement becomes so much more, I end up breaking my most important rule.

And that’s when it all goes to hell. I have no idea how we can ever repair the damage that’s been done.

I’m not even sure I want to. And maybe going back to my old life won’t be so hard.

Except it’s too late. I broke my rule.

And she broke me. .