See the cover and read an excerpt from “The Paradise Problem.”
Are you ready to (fake) fall in love?
After graduation, Anna believed they’d signed divorce papers and went their separate ways, no harm done.
Writing duo Christina Lauren.Brystan Studios
Just because love began as a lie, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.
Read the excerpt and check out the cover below.
Excerpt from The Paradise Problem
“Should I put pants on for this?
Gallery Books
This feels like a pants-on conversation.”
“That’s entirely up to you.”
I stand, limping in one slipper to the bedroom.
“it’s possible for you to sit, you know.”
“I know the place feels like an interior design showroom, but we aren’t fussy.”
He sits, stiffly, and then adjusts his posture on the sofa, turning slightly to face me.
“Okay so here’s the situation,” he says.
“You remember, I’m sure, the circumstances of how we came to be roommates?”
Indeed, I do.
In fact, I couldn’t afford any rent on any apartment within biking or walking distance.
Given my penchant for oversleeping, I knew it wouldn’t work.
The only last-minute option for a graduate student was family housing, which required him to be married.
I met West for the first time at the courthouse, where we had a brief ceremony.
For two blissful years, I had cheap housing and an apartment all to myself most daylight hours.
He’d been one of the best roommates I’d ever had.
“I do remember,” I say.
But then something occurs to me and panic washes me out.
Are we in trouble for fraud?
Are they coming after us?"
“No, this situation is entirely of my own making, unfortunately.”
“And you thinkIcan help you?
I can barely feed myself a balanced diet.”
West eyes my soggy bowl of Fruit Loops.
“I thinkonlyyou can help me, in fact.”
He takes a deep breath.
“Initially, our marriage was just so I could cheaply live on-campus and finish my degree.
But once we were officially married, I realized what I’d inadvertently done.”
“Granted, I’m super high”
“You’ve mentioned.”
West takes another deep, patient breath.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“What had you inadvertently done?”
“My grandfather left money to each of his four grandchildrenmy three siblings, and me.
“What in the smelling salts waistcoat gentleman s— isthat?”
I attempt a British accent: “The lord must find a wife!”
“Well, as far as the family attorneys knew, I did.”
He waits for me to catch up, and I do, finally.
“You mean, marryingmetriggered your inheritance?”
He looks down to his lap.
“Only Jake knew the real situation.
I’ve always been private.”
“So you married me for housing but ended up getting a ton of cash, too?”
“Okay,” I say, dragging the word out.
“I’m happy for you, but what did I sign?
I thought it was a standard prenup.”
He nods at this.
“It was a document saying you are not entitled to any of my income or property.”
That’s a bummer.
“I guess I already got this couch and the TV.”
“You also get ten thousand dollars once our divorce is final.”
Sitting up, I feel my smile stretch across my face.
West gives a tiny flicker of a smile.
“Ten thousand dollars.”
That amount of money is life-changing.
I could pay down over half of Dad’s hospital bills.
And then his words penetrate my fog.
What does that mean, ‘once our divorce is final?
Are you saying wearen’tdivorced?”
I count out the remaining months on my fingers.
May, June, July, August.
Four more to go.
“Okay, that’s not too bad.”
We stare at each other.
Hello, I still have no idea what the f— is going on.
How am I supposed to help you right now?"
“So, do you need me to, like, write an email?
Take a picture where we’re kissing?”
I wince, at a loss.
“Forge some love letters?”
