Excerpt 1

“She can’t go with you,” a voice growls behind me. I spin around to see the hockey player’s steel gaze locked on the jerk who’s asking me out.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s going to the party with me,” Dawson replies without looking at me.
My breath catches. I’m caught between a guy who makes angry hives break out on my body, and one who makes my heart feel things I shouldn’t. 
“Is this true?” Stewart asks me directly.
I pause, then look at Dawson. “Yes, he’s my date,” I say, even though I know this is a bad idea. Because once it’s out there, I’m committed. I’ll have to date my brother’s best friend.
I make myself move closer to Dawson and give his arm a pat, only to realize I’m touching what feels like a boulder. Seriously, no man should be walking around with biceps that huge, even if he is holding a coffee carrier with four cups. Either the man is working for a food delivery service in his spare time or consumes coffee at an alarming rate.
Dawson’s eyes trace over my workout wear. His mouth quirks at the corner. “Good run?”
I nod and thread my fingers through my knotted ponytail.
“You were always so fast,” he says.
How does he know this?
“Oh, right,” I laugh. “The night I tried to leave you behind at the party.” 
I glance up at him and I’m immediately mesmerized by his eyes. He’s not my usual type—his hands are calloused from hockey. He’s rough and mysterious and his hair looks amazing without any effort. Plus, he’s always ready with a hockey pickup line that’s so cheesy it actually circles back to charming. 
I need an emotionally sensitive man who reads books and quotes my favorite parts. Not someone who punches people in the face for a living. Of course, there was that one time he quoted Jane Austen. And he did buy my favorite romance book at the store. What kind of man does that?
My eyes trace over his frame. Dawson’s got that tall, dark, and muscular look. Put him in flannel and he’d be a sexy lumberjack. The image of Dawson in flannel with an axe stirs a funny feeling in my chest. 
I can’t date a hockey player. He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s double the trouble. 
And I just agreed to a fake date with him.

The Friend Face Off is a 
🏒brother’s best friend 
🏒closed door hockey 
🏒 fake dating 
🏒friends to lovers 
🏒You’ve Got Mail vibes.




Excerpt 2

“What news?” I ask, trying to sound casual about the drop-dead gorgeous goalie who also just happens to be my brother’s best friend. 
“There’s a reason I brought up Dawson’s name.”
My stomach bottoms out. “Wait, what are you saying?” A warm flush creeps up my neck. I keep my back to my brother, hiding my burning face.

When Dan brought Dawson home from college years ago, my attraction to him was instant and disarming. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to fall for a hockey player again, even though Dawson Hayes had a smile that made my heart stumble. Cute and boyish with a slightly crooked smile, he was funny and warm and different from the others. But I couldn’t expect a guy like Dawson to take me seriously. Not after Dan had warned me: Hockey guys don’t settle down. Not with one team. Or with one girl.

“He’s joining the Ice Breakers as a last-minute addition. He’s in the process of changing teams, and decided to play in this charity tournament before he switches.”

I swallow hard as my heart rate picks up speed. 

Dawson had a smile that could light a power grid. If he’s playing for the Ice Breakers, that means he’s going to be staying in Maple Falls. 

“Why would he want to come to Maple Falls?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” Dan replies. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

I wheel around and am shocked to see Dawson Hayes leaning against a bookshelf. Well over six feet, a shock of thick dark hair loosely pushed back from his forehead, Dawson looks like he’s packed on even more muscles since I last saw him. His shoulders are broader, his arms more sculpted, and he’s added one tattoo that scrolls down his corded forearm. Dawson’s lips curve into that boyish smile that’s haunted my dreams. His dark eyes hold an amused glint, probably from seeing me lose my train of thought.

“Hi, Emmy,” he says, holding my gaze for what feels like an eternity.

The stack of books I’m holding falls to the floor with a crash.

Dawson Hayes is trouble for my heart.
And he’s my brother’s best friend.

The Friend Face Off is a 
🏒brother’s best friend 
🏒closed door hockey 
🏒 fake dating 
🏒friends to lovers 
🏒You’ve Got Mail vibes.




Excerpt 3

“Are you going to wear Dawson’s jersey to another game?” the photographer asks.
I hesitate. This isn’t something Dawson and I have discussed. Wearing a jersey means you’re officially a couple. That seems like a commitment I’m not ready for.
“We haven’t talked about it yet,” I reply truthfully.
A movement by the locker room door draws the man’s attention away from me.
Dawson pushes through the crowd, his gaze locked on this guy. “You want to ask questions about my jersey, you come to me.” 
He’s freshly showered, his hair still wet and tousled. But man, does he look good.
The photographer glances from Dawson to me.
“I asked if you were seriously dating. She avoided answering me.”
“That’s because she’s smart,” Dawson replies. My chest swells with pride.
“And your jersey? I notice she didn’t wear yours tonight.”
Dawson doesn’t miss a beat. “Family comes first. I’m glad she’s supporting Dan. I would expect no less.”
“What about later?” he asks. “Will she wear your jersey to another game?”
“That’s her decision.” Dawson’s eyes flick to mine. 
My heart cartwheels. 
“But when she does, nobody will look better in it than her.”


The Friend Face Off is a 
🏒brother’s best friend 
🏒closed door hockey 
🏒 fake dating 
🏒friends to lovers 
🏒You’ve Got Mail vibes.