Between Desire and Denial

Dimitri Hardy and I were never really supposed to be friends. He was a risky,over-the-top investor. I was trying to avoid the glamorous lifestyle my parents had raised me in. He was fun and laid back. I was wound tight and dramatic. He had his life put together. I did not. So having Dimitri witness my breakup was a low moment. Especially since my boyfriend was also my professorand after cheating on mehe decided to make me redo my master’s thesis. But Dimitri saw an opportunity. He offered to assist with my thesis. In exchangeI would help him gain the trust of the upscale town where IΓÇÖd grown upΓÇöone heΓÇÖd heavily invested in. His proposal: Move back home and fake a relationship with him for the summer. Show my town heΓÇÖs trustworthy. Adore one another in public and pretend thereΓÇÖs no desire brewing in private. It seems like an easy plan. But what Dimitri doesnΓÇÖt understand is that a few months in my hometown can ruin youΓǪand one summer of denying my desire of his stolen touches and longing stares just might ruin me too.