Title: The Best Friend Problem
Author: Mariah Ankenman
Genre: Contemporary Romance (romcom)
Book Blurb:
Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn. All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life.
Except all this talk of babies and insemination and…Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant.
As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?
Excerpt:
“You have a dog?”
He turned to face his date, panic abated since he knew Pru was messing with him and his fur baby was fine. Finn didn’t have any fungus cream in his apartment. The annoying guy didn’t even have the decency to get athlete’s foot and create a bit of physical disgust she could crow to Mo about.
“Yes. A rescue. Adopted her two years ago.”
His date gave a sort of smile-frown. “Oh, that’s sweet, but I’m allergic to dogs. And cats. All animals, really. I tried to get a hamster once, but I ended up with red eyes and a swollen throat two hours in.”
“Oh. I guess this won’t work out, then.”
For crap’s sake! She came all the way over here to rescue him, and all he had to do to get out of the date was mention his dog? Finn owed her big time.
“I guess not, but it was nice to meet you. I hope your dog is okay.”
After making sure his date had a ride home—because even if he couldn’t break a date, Finn never left anyone stranded—they made their way out of the bar and onto the streets.
“I can’t believe you used my dog as an excuse.” Finn glared at her. “We agreed never to make it personal.”
“And I can’t believe you still can’t tell a woman ‘things aren’t working out’ like a grown-ass man.”
“Not all of us are as blunt as you, Pru. Some of us have sensitive feelings that bruise easily.”
She snorted, rolling her eyes, because if there was one thing Finn didn’t do, it was bruise easily, in his feelings or body. Her bestie was a rock.
Still, he did care about others to the point of sacrificing his own happiness at times. Finn cared too much. Probably why he became a firefighter. Finn hated seeing anyone in any kind of pain.
“Fine. I’m sorry for using Bruiser as an excuse.”
He grinned, the left side of his mouth ticking up higher than the right, as it always did. Slinging an arm around her shoulders, he gave her a squeeze.
“It’s all good. Thanks for bailing me out. Bailey was nice, but I couldn’t get a word in edgewise with that woman. She talked nonstop from the moment we sat down until you showed up. The minute she said she likes Wes Craven movies I knew it was a bust.”
“You could have just told her about the time you cowered under the blankets like a big ol’ baby during Chucky.” Pru chuckled. “That would have turned her off in a heartbeat.”
He glared, nudging her with his hip as they walked. “I didn’t ‘cower like a baby.’ I was checking my phone and didn’t want the light from the screen to affect your viewing.”
She snorted. “Sure, you were just being considerate.”
“I was. Besides, that doll is creepy as hell.” He shuddered. “Toys should not come to life, especially with the soul of a serial killer inside them.”
Her bestie would run into a burning building without a thought about the danger, but that same guy was too scared to watch anything with psycho killers or ghosts. She did not get it.
“Why’d you go out with her in the first place?”
He shrugged. “We both swiped right.”
Charming. Sometimes she so did not understand her generation.
“So, where’d you park?”
“Park? On a Saturday night? Are you kidding me?” She shook her head. “I walked.”
The smile left his face, brow turning down with disapproval. His large, muscular arms, covered with amazing works of inked art, crossed over his chest as he stared her down. Not hard to do, since he stood a good seven inches above her.
“You walked? At this time of night?”
“Yes, Dad. I’ve lived in the city for most of my life. I know my way around.”
Gaze narrowing, he bent until his nose almost touched hers. “So have I. Which is how I know it’s not safe to walk the city streets alone at night. Dammit, Pru, I never would have texted if I knew you were going to walk by yourself.”
She knew he was only looking out for her, but it still made her angry that he was right. Walking at night in the city wasn’t the smartest move for a woman alone. Another reason why men sucked.
“Come on, I’ll give you a ride back.”
He started walking toward the curb where his 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster was parked. Reaching into the side bag, he grabbed his extra helmet and tossed it to her.
She caught the heavy safety equipment, shaking her head as she slipped it on.
“I still think it’s stupid you bought this thing.”
The used motorcycle was his pride and joy, second only to his dog.
“You can’t even ride it half the year.” Motorcycles and snow did not get along.
“Yeah,” he said, strapping his helmet on and straddling the large bike. “But I can ride it the other half.”
Solid point. But she still thought it was a silly purchase. Her pragmatic brain couldn’t wrap itself around six-months of idleness for such an expensive item.
“Hop on, and I’ll take you to get food before I drop you off.”
“You better.” She slid behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You owe me an extra-large chili cheese fry and a large strawberry shake for tonight.”
He chuckled, the vibrations rumbling through his back and into her chest, which was pressed up firmly against him. For safety reasons, of course.
“Extra-large chili cheese fries and a strawberry shake coming up.”
“Large strawberry shake. Don’t get cheap on me, Jamison.”
Finn started the bike, the engine rumbling to life between her legs.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
This book is available in Amazon US KU only.
Amazon KU: https://amzn.to/2XpQ61g
This book is also available at these retailers.
Nook: http://bit.ly/2NA2jMm
iBooks: https://apple.co/2L5J6zR
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2XrfL9W
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Jpvcp7
What makes your featured book a must-read?
It’s a steamy, laugh-out-loud friends to lovers to parents feel good romcom that will have you smiling and falling inlove!
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $21 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to win. Runs November 9 – November 17, 2021. Winner will be drawn on November 18, 2021.
Author Biography:
Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious daughters and loving spouse who provides ample inspiration for her heart-stopping heroes.
Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books, follow her on social media or sign up for her newsletter.
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