The Assignment

<p><strong><em>From</em> New York Times <em>bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new standalone novel.</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Reasons why I should not be drawn to Troy Serrano.</p><p>Number one: He's obnoxious.</p><p>Number two: He and I were enemies over a decade ago in high school.</p><p>Number three: He's my friend's ex-boyfriend.</p><p>I could go on and on really.</p><p>When my boss gives me an unwanted assignment and tells me it involves spending time with the grandson of one of our residents-the grandson turns out to be <em>Troy</em>. He's now as successful as he is undeniably handsome.</p><p><em>Lucky me.</em> Four hours a week of having to deal with his insufferable personality and unsolicited advice.</p><p>The only consolation is getting to stare at his annoyingly gorgeous face in between our many arguments.</p><p>Eventually though we slowly warm to each other and our outings become something I actually look forward to.</p><p><em>What's happening to me?</em></p><p>Apparently I misunderstood the assignment because it certainly didn't include thinking about Troy when I close my eyes at night imagining what it would be like with him-just once. All the while hating myself for fantasizing about a guy who's all wrong for me. A guy whose car I keyed back in the day. (Long story but he deserved it.)</p><p>That's all this is-a fantasy.</p><p>Well until that one night at the bar.</p><p>The night Troy and I run into each other and all of our pent-up frustration comes barreling out.</p><p>Still I refuse to accept that it means anything.</p><p>There's no way the guy I'm supposed to hate is also the one I can't live without.</p>