Bent Oak, Texas

Weddings should be life-changing for the bride and groom, but not for the photographer. A deadly accident at the last one I worked left me scarred physically and mentally. At least the insurance payout means I can live as I please.

It’s not quite protocol to start flirting right after you’ve flashed your badge at a guy. But I can’t resist Craig, the pet resort owner I’ve come to interview. I mean, look at him in his wet jeans and…is that dog hair all over his chest? I’m dying to ask him out, but first I have to do a favor for my great aunt—okay, she bribed me—and go on a blind date with the grandson of her frenemy. But guess who shows up to rescue me with an outrageous cover story and a rhinestone dog collar?

Felix: What would happen if everyone you’d ever dated got together and plotted against you? For me, it’s glitter bombs. Lots and lots of glitter bombs. Okay, maybe I deserved the first one or two. Or three. But when things become less glitter and more grenade, I’m forced into hiding with the smokin’ hot older client I just had a sizzling one-night stand with.

Have you ever been locked out of your apartment shirtless, holding a wet rabbit and getting served with legal papers right when your super-hot neighbor walks by? Maybe it's just me. After Baz stops to help, I finally have a chance to show him there's more to me than the loud parties and one-night stands he's witnessed over the years. And I find out he's more than just an aloof work-from-home accountant.

Even though I don’t need to pose as a third-grade teacher anymore, I stuck around to keep Seth, one of my students, and his brother Robin from being abused by their slimy stepfather. It’s their lucky Christmas Eve when I find out Robin accidentally killed the jerk while protecting Seth, because who better to help them dispose of the body than a retired hitman-slash-operative? But Santa also delivers the boys’ uncle, famous actor and tabloid headliner Lucas McCord. I’m trying to decide if I can trust him with the boys’ well-being when a photo has the press announcing I’m Lucas’ boyfriend.