From Illustrating to Love:: A Sweet Fake Relationship Romance

By Ruby James

How hard could it be to pretend to love and adore someone for seven days?Marley Hamilton-Shaw is an up-and-coming illustrator who isn't afraid to tackle challenging projects. There's only one thing she refuses to do: Marley doesn't illustrate for children's books, period.Conor Sullivan is a successful children's book author. Since he first discovered her work, he's wanted Marley to design his book covers for a new young adult series. But Marley turns down his project with a giant resounding no.When a best-selling horror author-who just happens to be Conor's best friend-announces he's looking for illustrators to turn his anthology of short stories into graphic novels, Marley is willing to do whatever it takes to be one of the illustrators selected ...... And Conor has the perfect solution. He promises to get her artwork in front of his best friend if she agrees to be his fake girlfriendat a week-long family celebration and illustrates his young adult books. But his proposal to Marley has nothing to do with her gorgeous curves and bewitching smile.Conor holds the key to Marley's dream project. Is she willing to put her convictions aside to get what she wants? If she agrees, it will have nothing to do with Conor's thick strawberry blond hair or smoldering dark blue eyes.Come and visit the small waterfront town of Point Harbor and fall in love with Marley and Conor in this sweet, interracial romance. Debut novella from the 2022 Leslie Esdaile Aspiring Author Winner

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ariatessa Books LLC
• Release date: Dec 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798989832606

Book preview

Chapter One

Marley Hamilton-Shaw had never screamed loud enough to scare her cat until that moment. Bijou, her Maine coon, shot straight up from her curled position on the corner of Marley’s desk and landed with a thud on her lap, puffed up, claws extended. 

Marley whirled around in her electric-blue office chair and threw her stylus at her best friend, who barely stepped her curvy body to the side to avoid the projectile in time. The woman had the nerve to roll her lips in between her teeth in a poor attempt to hide her smile.

What the frack, Addy?! I told you to stop sneaking up on me. Marley rested her hand on her ample chest. Was thirty-three too young for a heart attack? Then, seeing Bijou was still freaked out, she gently tried to pry the fourteen-pound cat off her thighs, wincing at the red scratches already marring her caramel-colored skin.

Addison, pretending like she wasn’t the cause of the fracas in the first place, bent over to give Bijou a rub behind the ears. I’ve been calling you for the past thirty seconds. I thought tickling would be faster than losing my voice yelling your name. Ronan’s on the phone.

Marley stuck her tongue out at her and snatched the phone from her outstretched hand.

Hey, Ro. How’s it going? Ronan Sullivan had been her agent since she graduated college almost eleven years ago before she’d even made her business, Illustrations by Lilith, official.

Morning, Mar. Loved the screaming. His deep chuckle made her smile.

My friend thought it would be hilarious to scare the crap out of me to get my attention instead of just tapping the screen. Are you calling about the Gilmour project?

What project? Ronan asked. Bas Gilmour?

Marley nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see it. I received a press release in my email that his horror anthology was green lit for a series of graphic novels. It said he is looking to showcase a different illustrator for each short. When she finished, Ronan was silent and Marley could picture him pacing in his office. 

She had always enjoyed the style of graphic novels and had worked with a few writers in college on their books. She had a few clients that wanted an edgier, bolder illustration for their books or promotional pieces, and she loved collaborating with them. The possibility to work with a best-selling author like Bas Gilmour would be a dream for her and a highlight for her portfolio. It would also open the doors for more paranormal, fantasy, and horror writer clients on Gilmour’s level.

I’ll have to look into that. I have a connection with Gilmour. However, I called to talk to you about an offer I would like for you to seriously consider, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Marley met Addison’s gaze from where she’d taken a seat on the small loveseat in her home office and put the call on speaker as Ronan continued.

I’m hearing rumors that the Annapolis Historical Society is going to go in a different direction for their brochures. They may be looking for a new illustrator.

The urge to pout was strong. It would be a blow if the AHS took their business elsewhere. They were one of Marley’s oldest clients, having given her a chance when they had commissioned a piece from her mother eight years ago.

When will you know for sure? Marley’s mind was already thinking of people to contact for new potential clients.

In the next couple of days. There is another opportunity in case they leave. It’s for a young adult—

No. Marley interrupted rolling her eyes.

Can I finish? Ronan paused, then continued. Scott Cooper, the children’s author, is doing a young adult fantasy book series.

Like J.K. Rowling? Addison piped in.

No, Ronan said in a serious tone. He’s looking for cover art, images for the inside flaps, and half pages for the start of each chapter.

Finished? She sprinkled annoyance in the question. When Ronan answered in the affirmative, she repeated her answer. No. Marley didn’t draw for an audience under the age of eighteen. Period. He knew why she didn’t draw for children’s books. Her creative style just wasn’t compatible…or so she’d been told.

You should at least hear the concept before turning it down, Addison stage whispered. Marley spun her back to her friend.

Ronan picked up on Addison’s thought. It’s not a children’s picture book. Scott wants to grow with his audience. The kids that read his books are now in high school and are looking for something more mature. He’s creating a series of books based on a group of beings, around eighteen and nineteen, with special powers. He specifically asked for Lilith after seeing your illustrations.

Lilith was Marley’s artist name. And while she was flattered that someone saw her work and felt it would bring their vision to light, Ronan shouldn’t have been surprised by her refusal.

I don’t know why you’re pushing this, she argued. Tell the author thank you, but the answer is no. Will you see about Gilmour?

Ronan’s sigh echoed through the phone. Fine. But know I’ll get a yes from you on the young adult eventually.

Marley snorted. If you get me to say yes, I’ll give you my grandmother’s recipe for cheddar biscuits.

Oh, I definitely accept that challenge, Ronan’s tone held confidence. The first time Ronan met her grandmother, she’d made him the infamous biscuits. Every time he was lucky to share a meal with her family, Grandma Frances always made them for him, and he’d gone so far as offer to take her grandmother on a shopping spree just to get the recipe. Marley wouldn’t have thrown the challenge if she didn’t think she was going to win.

With bet made, they said their goodbyes, and Marley rested her head on her desk, her burgundy spirals falling forward. 

Her eyes met Addison’s when she softly touched her arm. He’s going to get you to say yes.

Marley exhaled, setting her computer glasses in their case to rub her eyes. No, he isn’t. He knows I don’t do children’s books.

Addison cut her eyes to Marley. True, he knows your first two attempts at illustrating for kids, but he seems pretty adamant about this one.

I wonder why? After that one publisher basically killed ninety percent of my drawings in the book about kids going on an animal safari, I vowed never again.

But this is a fantasy book for young adults. You’ve seen the rise in the genre. If this Scott Cooper guy is all that and a bag of chips, it could have you doing more fantasy-based books, which I know is what you want.

Once again Addison showed why she’s Marley’s best friend. Many a night since college had they stayed up talking about their goals and ten-year plans over a glass of wine. Of course, adulting and the need to pay bills means you make compromises when it comes to jobs that you take. Fantasy and horror illustration gigs hadn’t built a strong client base when she started out. Now with the popularity of paranormal novels, she was able to do more drawings that were in her wheelhouse, but she still compromised with more commercial-friendly projects. Bijou did need her special food after all.

Marley’s musing was interrupted by her stomach which chose that moment to make its presence known. The large antique brush nickel wall clock read twelve-fifteen—her and Addison’s lunch break. She stood and fluffed her shoulder-length hair.

Want to go get sushi for lunch? Marley had a deadline for a gaming company companion adult coloring book, but she needed a break.

The advantage of living in Point Harbor, Maryland, was access to fresh seafood from the Chesapeake Bay.

Addison smiled. I could be persuaded.

Marley slipped her feet into a pair of tan Birkenstocks, turned off the window unit air conditioner, and locked the door to her converted home office/she shed. The late July air was thick and humid, making her question their decision to go into town for lunch. She glanced down at her outfit of a black boho print mid-thigh cotton dress which accented her voluptuous curves nicely and decided it was presentable enough for the public while keeping everything cool.

Addison led Bijou into the two-bedroom cottage-style house, leaving the door open for Marley to follow in. Do you think Ronan represents Scott Cooper?

Marley grabbed her red over-the-shoulder purse from the coffee table as Addison tied a white silk scarf over her close-cut natural hair, Jackie Onassis style.

Probably. That may be why he’s pushing this. There had been a few times Ronan had pushed her to accept a job that she initially said no to. Each time, he’d been right and it had led to either more projects or opened the door to new clients. She admired that about him because he always saw the big picture.

Marley set the alarm on the side gate and they climbed into Addison’s Subaru. As they headed to Akari Sushi and Sake, Marley’s phone pinged with a text. She retrieved it from her purse and chuckled when she saw Ronan’s message.

Ronan: Have you changed your mind?

Now he’s sending texts, Marley told Addison. He should know begging never works.

Remember that guy from college that would follow you to class begging for you to go out with him? Addison shook her head.

Marley cringed. She had thought she’d have to call campus security but he’d found another student to give him the time of day and had left her alone. She quickly typed her response.

Marley: It hasn’t even been thirty minutes. It’s still no. Tell me the truth, what’s your angle in me doing this?

It was rare for Ronan to put their friendship at stake if it wasn’t beneficial for her business. They’d originally met through an ex-boyfriend during Marley’s senior year at the University of Maryland. Ronan, who’d been doing his grad studies, had promised he would sign her when he became an acquiring agent at the agency he was interning at. True to his word, he had taken her on as a client and Marley had even followed him when he switched to a New York-based agency that enabled him to telework from his home in Baltimore. Ronan had only called in a favor once when he’d convinced her to sit on a conference with inspirational artists two years ago. Ronan had thought it would be good for her to add some edge to the discussion, and Marley had ended up eating crow because she had gained two paranormal authors as clients from it.

She decided to deal with Ronan later and put her phone on do not disturb before dropping it back into her bag. He could sweat a little longer, and there were spicy salmon and rainbow rolls with her name on them.

Marley sighed with contentment as the brine smell of the bay seeped in through the A/C vents and she felt the pressure of the day roll off of her body. By the time Addison pulled into the shopping center and they entered the restaurant, the aromas of garlic and sesame oil made her mouth water, and all thoughts of Ronan left her mind.

CHAPTER TWO

In Conor Sullivan’s thirty-four years on this earth, not once had he contemplated driving his car into the back of a semi-truck. Today, the idea ran across his mind as he listened to his mother’s angelic voice badger him through the car’s speakers about his need to settle down and spawn grandchildren. Instead, he switched lanes and passed the tempting vehicle.

He ran his fingers through his shoulder-length strawberry blond hair out of frustration when he slowed to a stop for the traffic ahead. He was a few blocks away from his brother’s condo in downtown Baltimore for some brother bonding over baseball, beer, and food. Ronan was also his agent, so some business would probably be discussed between bites.

Are you listening to me? Jane Sullivan snapped when he hadn’t responded in a while. 

Conor loved his mother dearly, as she’d been his biggest supporter when he wanted to pursue being a children’s book author during college. Now, with twenty successful books under his pen name Scott Cooper, he felt obligated to listen to a weekly nagging on the subject. 

"Sorry, Mom. Just hit