Beyond the Stroke By Erin Hawkins

SUMMER
After years on the road, I’ve discovered Coral Cove is the perfect beach town to live a quiet, untethered life where I can paint in the shadows. That is until a mermaid cosplay goes horribly wrong and Rory Shields, world champion swimmer and the town’s golden boy plucks me out of a sticky situation.

Our chance encounter soon develops into a surprising friendship, and the more I learn about Rory, the more I find myself feeling protective over this charming golden retriever of a man. So, when his meddling parents and relentless ex won’t leave him alone, I announce that we’re not only dating, but married.

My parents’ miserable marriage taught me to never say ‘I do’ but knowing the guise will help Rory focus on training, I agree to follow through with the ruse.

But the more we play husband and wife, the harder it becomes to keep the lines from blurring. And before I know it, I’m treading water in the deep end and falling for my fake husband.

RORY
After rehabbing a knee injury that almost ended my swimming career, I’ve returned to Coral Cove, home of the Carolina Current swimming club, determined to focus on training and preparing for the next summer games. But not everyone in my life is on board with my plans for another run for gold.

My parents and ex-girlfriend have a different plan for my life. Until Summer, the intriguing woman I pulled out of the ocean, announces we’re married and I realize being tied to the gorgeous, free-spirited woman is the perfect solution to keep my parents off my back.

What starts out as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into something much deeper, and suddenly I’m fighting for a future I never saw coming. But Summer doesn’t believe in marriage and happily ever after, so how can I convince her we’re meant to last?