Thankful For My FAKE Girlfriend: Happily Ever Holiday

By Shaw Hart

As Derek Reid's assistant, Annie Lanin is used to his outrageous demands. 

Work the same crazy hours that he does? 
No problem.
Remember birthdays and pick out gifts for his relatives every year? 
Piece of cake. 
Pretend to be his long-term girlfriend and spend Thanksgiving with his family? 
He must be out of his mind. 

Derek is sure this will be painless for everyone involved; Annie just hopes she can remember this is all supposed to be pretend.

*Warning: This is a stand-alone romance, a quick paced instalove with a HEA and NO cheating! Enjoy a bit of sugary-sweet goodness with a side of possessive alpha? Then this book is for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shaw Hart
• Release date: May 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223687368

Book preview

ONE

Annie

I lean against the wall next to the elevator waiting for my boss and the secret love of my life to arrive. As Mr. Reid’s assistant, I’ve been here since six am. I have to get here at least half an hour before him so I can get everything ready. Basically, I just have to make copies and organize his emails and desk. It’s expected that his breakfast and coffee will be waiting for him every day when he arrives at six-thirty. From there, we’ll go over his day and then I head back to my desk to work while he stays in his office. I’m expected to be there for every meeting and to stay as long as he does every day.

I’ve been working for him for fourteen months and I am the only assistant who has lasted longer than a week or two. It’s easy to see why. Derek is a perfectionist and a crazy workaholic. He can be rude and demanding, especially when he’s frustrated and not getting what he wants and the long hours are enough to wear down even the most determined employees. Even the other people who work closely with him have a hard time meeting his exacting standards.

I’m not sure how I’ve been able to last this long other than I don’t mind the hours. When I first started working for Derek, I was desperate for a job. I’d just graduated college and had student loans piling up. I needed to find something that would help pay the bills, even if it was only temporary. I was lucky enough to score an interview with Reid Investments and I can still remember when I showed up to see a waiting room full of perfectly styled professionals.

I had tried to dress up but the nicest clothes I owned was a pair of black skinny jeans and a white button-up shirt. My hair was hanging around my shoulders, too short for me to try to tie up and I had only put on some mascara and a coat of lip gloss. Everyone else was wearing business suits and dress pants, their hair and makeup done to perfection.

Reid Investments was in a tall skyscraper in the heart of the city. Everything was state of the art, with a stark black and white color scheme. Everything looked expensive except for the folding chairs that were lined up outside Mr. Reid’s office. I had taken a seat in the back and I must have sat in that uncomfortable chair in that waiting room for over an hour, listening as he barked orders inside his office. Most people came out looking shocked. Some came out crying and others looking furious. Then he roared out my name and I stood and walked on shaky legs into his fortress.

Derek was sitting behind his massive desk, a scowl on his face which only deepened when he took in what I was wearing. I just straightened my shoulders and put on my biggest smile. I needed this job. I walked up to his desk and offered my hand, holding it suspended between us until he reluctantly took it and we shook. He dropped it quickly, sitting back down in his chair.

I sat stiffly across from him as he looked over my sparse resume. I took him in while he ignored me. Derek was gorgeous and it was hard not to be attracted to him. His light brown hair was cut short and gelled over to one side. I scanned down over his strong, straight