Party Ever After

Turning 27. No problem. Inheriting my grandfather's winery. Been waiting all my life. Moving back to my hometown. I can handle it. Getting married to my old high-school sweetheart. Wait, what? We hate each other's guts. But I only have thirty days to turn my company around or lose it forever, so I don't have time to worry about that. Besides, she's days away from declaring bankruptcy, and merging is our only chance. There's a big problem though-only one winery can survive. Before we even entertain a little game of survival of the fittest, I have to put a ring on her finger. Easy. Right? Not so much. Paris Elizabeth Hollis Fairchild isn't interested in my plan, and it really pisses me off. Apparently, she doesn't know me as well as she thinks. Doesn't understand I've changed. Doesn't realize her rejection only spurs me on. Proving her wrong becomes my mission, a mission I won't fail. There's a thin line between love and hate...and she's about to find out just how fine it is. Paris was my first. And I'm going to make sure I'm her last. Just wait and see.

How to make a reluctant fiancée happy: Buy her a huge-ass diamond ring. Throw a balls-out engagement party. Make the wedding a quickie. Every girl dreams of getting married. Right? Not Paris Elizabeth Hollis Fairchild. And especially not to me. She says this party boy is anything but husband material. Cocky. Arrogant. Presumptuous. And even manipulative. Hey, those are all perfectly acceptable traits. When it turns out she doesn't have a choice, the arranged nuptials dear old granny insisted on go off without a hitch. But that doesn't mean we're riding off into the sunset anytime soon. With both of our failing wineries merging and a contract that states only one family business can survive, we're spending a lot of time negotiating. And not the kind I prefer. The truth is it's just a matter of who will come out on top-her or me? I wish I meant that literally. In the meantime, she demands separate bedrooms. I insist we break in our new bed. She says she hates me. I think it's love. She believes our marriage won't last. I know it will. She tells me not to bother popping the champagne. I disagree. In fact, I think it's time to get this party started.

There are three guaranteed ways to ruin a perfectly unstable marriage: 1. Tell your beautiful new bride she's the devil. 2. Tie one on, and don't come home. 3. Oh, and let's not forget, uncover family secrets that rock both of your worlds. I really need a rewind because now my temporary wife is pissed as hell and wants a quickie divorce. Wooing her is my plan. Sending flowers, writing love notes, and even serenading her are some of the sure-fire methods I've learned from watching her favorite romantic comedies. In all of those films, one grand gesture leads to the woman falling at her man's feet, cueing sappy music and epic make-up sex. Too bad my girl isn't following the script. Short of riding in on a white horse, I'm at a loss of how to win her back. Unless… Every girl dreams of a Prince Charming, right? Well, I can redefine myself, and turn this party boy into one. She insists it's impossible. I disagree.