Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Orgasms that she didn’t make happen herself—with or without a partner present—never happened. Literally. She had the world’s most shy clit ever that never responded to anything but her own fingers and vibe. Still, if she knew going in that it wouldn’t be love or climaxes, she’d at least be prepared. Plus, she was getting two things she really wanted: meeting Helene Carlyle and helping her dad get his SAG card.
“Fine.” Zara held out her hand, palm upward, knowing she’d been beat. “My phone.”
Dating was so far down her priority list that it came after cleaning the dust bunnies under her dresser and defrosting the freezer. However, if going out on five dates could get her what she really wanted and could make her dad happy and got her in to see Helene Carlyle? She’d suffer through listening to some guy ramble on and on about himself over never-ending breadsticks.
Gemma swiped the phone off the coffee table and gave it to her. Since she’d already filled out most of the personal information, all that was really up to Zara was to finish the introductory part. Thumbs hovering over the screen, she tried to figure out what to say. She wasn’t looking for love. She had no interest in finding forever. Gemma wasn’t wrong about the getting-laid part, though—it had been too long. Waaaaaaaaay too long.
However, the last thing she wanted was to play games or deal with someone who really was looking for Miss Right. She might be a workaholic, but she wasn’t a bitch, and she wouldn’t do that to someone. How in the world was she supposed to finesse that into an introduction?
And that’s when inspiration flicked her on the nose. If she was going to do this, she was going to be 100 percent honest.
Assholes Need Not Apply
I don’t believe fairy tales of happily ever after, but are a few not-self-made orgasms with a guy who makes my heart race and isn’t a total asshole really just a pipe dream??? I work hard and hardly play. Now I’m ready for a little—really, a lot of—fun with the kind of guy who isn’t a total lost cause and can clear out the cobwebs in my vagina. Too honest? Too bad. Life is too short for jerks who don’t know their way around a lady garden. Forget being Miss Right. I just want to be Miss Right for Five Dates.
She handed her phone over to Gemma, whose eyebrows went higher the more she read until they were completely hidden behind her bangs.
“If no one answers, Gemma”—and who would respond to that kind of ad—“you still have to take me as your plus-one.”
Her best friend nodded. “Deal.”
They sealed their agreement with a pinkie shake and another shot of tequila. And by the time Zara curled up in bed hours later, she had almost convinced herself she hadn’t just made a huge mistake.
…
To keep reading Parental Guidance click here!
Acknowledgments
I wish I could remember who sent me the link to the Bad Taxidermy website that inspired aspects of this book–inspiration comes from the most unusual places. Whoever you are, thank you!
Huge thanks to both Liz Pelletier and Heather Howland for helping me to bring this story and these characters to life. Your editorial input and the push you gave me to keep digging into the emotion is what made me love this book so much.
I must thank the team at Entangled for being a great group to work with. Thanks to Hannah for your incredible attention to detail during copy edits. Thanks also to Jessica, Holly, and Katie for always being super friendly and responsive.
Thank you to my incredible agent, Jill Marsal, for always keeping me on track and for helping me grow my career. And to all my writer friends, especially Taryn. Our Skype sessions and FB messaging marathons really keep me going when the words get tough.
As always, thank you to my husband for who supports me endlessly by brainstorming ways to torture my characters, helping me wade through plot holes and listening to me whinge whenever I hit the “I hate this book” part of the editing process.
Lastly, thank you to my coffee machine. Without you, I would not function.
About the Author
Stefanie London is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and her writing praised as “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have earned accolades such as the RT Top Pick and have achieved bestseller status with USA Today and iBooks.
Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. After sneaking several literature subjects into her ‘very practical’ business degree, she worked in HR and Communications. But writing emails for executives didn’t fulfil her creative urges, so she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night.
Originally from Australia, she now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
Also by Stefanie London…
The Rules According the Gracie
Pretend it’s Love
Loving the Odds
Millionaire Under the Mistletoe
Taken by the CEO
Betting the Bad Boy
Trouble Next Door
The Aussie Next Door
How to Win a Fiance
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