The Truth Never Spoken - Illustrated version

Christmas in paradise with my best friend... what could go wrong?I spend every Christmas Eve with Mateo Sanz. It's a decade-long tradition, but this year, his family is spending the holidays in the Dominican Republic. Did I mention it's a destination wedding? Or that his cousin is marrying his ex-girlfriend? Oh, and I offered to fake date him to avoid the god-awful familial pity that's no doubt following him straight to the Caribbean?It should be an easy task, except Mateo is not only confident, charismatic, hot as sin, and the kindest man I've ever known. He's also the best friend I'd never want to risk.But the only way to convince his family this fake relationship is the real deal is through a whole lot of PDA, and when he begins whispering sweet nothings in my ear or holds my gaze even when there's nobody around, the lines begin to blur.One thing I forgot to mention? I, Daisy Zimmerman, have been in love with Mateo for as long as I can remember, even though there is no way he feels the same.It would ruin more than our friendship if my secret were to slip out, and I'm not ready to lose the most important relationship in my life over a fake dating fiasco.I only have to survive the week in the tropical paradise without letting my feelings for him be known. It should be easy, especially if we're never alone. All we have to do is keep our hands, mouths, and hearts to ourselves.We can follow all the rules...right?The One Final Rule is a fake dating, friends to lovers, Christmas novella set in paradise. This is perfect for fans of Holiday family drama, the one bed trope and feel good romance like The Gift Rarely Given or Hallmark movies.

I left Baker Oaks ten years ago and swore I'd never return. So, why on earth am I sitting in the front seat of Jake Clarke's truck? The guy whose heart I broke all those years ago, the man I considered the love of my life.After a decade of successfully avoiding everything Jake, running into him at the airport was never part of the plan. And staying at his place? Definitely not in the cards. But when my job sent me-Allie Zabana-on a six-month assignment near Baker Oaks, I had no choice but to go. I wasn't planning on speaking to him ever again, let alone letting my eyes wander over his full beard, gazing into those intense eyes, or imagining how coaching football has calloused his hands in a way that could make my entire body shiver.It wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't left without a word ten years ago, shattering both of our hearts in the process. Now, here we are, forced into each other's orbit. All the old memories are coming back, along with a love I've tried to forget for so long-one that's threatening to claw its way to the surface, dragging with it all the secrets I've locked away.After a moment of weakness and his hands on me again, there's no question about the chemistry we still share-it's the kind of passion that could reignite like wildfire if we aren't careful. But... he has no idea what really happened all those years ago, and I'm not sure he'd ever forgive me if he did.Just when I think maybe the past will stay buried in the past, life hits me with a blitz I never saw coming.