By
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Cat Johnson

Friends? No.
Enemies? Maybe.
Lovers? Never!

Ten years ago the hot but cocky Navy SEAL went from ignoring her, to kissing her, to rejecting her. Now, the last thing she wants is his help, even if he is willing and uniquely qualified to give it. And she really doesn’t want to want him . . .

She was the girl next door. Too young. Too tempting. Too off limits. Ten years later, she’s all grown up and all woman. He steered clear of her then. But now?

Now is a different story entirely . . .

This book begins with an almost not happening wedding as the bride starts having cold feet minutes before she’s to walk down the aisle. Her sister Dani turns to the one person she knows can help her calm the bride, the grooms brother Nick.

Nick knows Dani is off limits but he can’t help himself and a heated kiss almost turns to more at the reception. But he manages to get control of himself and leaves her feeling dejected.

It’s ten years later, and Dani finds herself in a situation that requires some help. Help that could be Nick. Nick is recuperating from an knee injury. An injury not caused in battle but on an obstacle course he’s run so many times he could do it in his sleep. Restless and bored at his brother’s home, he jumps at the opportunity to help Dani.

Dani was hoping to work on a documentary, something that would enhance her resume instead the show New Millenia Media was hiring for was a Wedding Reality Show called Cold Feet. The bridemaids are the absolute worst, one day they’re fine, the next at each others throats for some ridiculous reason or another. Now the bride has gone missing, no one has seen her since she retired the night before.

In the midst of the chaos, Dani calls her sister to vent.

This is a favorite scene.

The sound of the screen door sliding open drew Nick’s attention as Jessica stepped out, phone pressed to her ear.

“So what are you going to do?” she asked whoever was on the phone.

She was silent for a bit but her deep frown revealed a lot.

Finally, she said, “Wow. That’s just crazy. But the invitation is open if you can get away . . . Okay. Call and let me know what’s going on . . . All right. Bye.”

“What was that all about?” Michael asked his wife.

She lowered the phone. “That was Dani. You won’t believe what’s happening on set at that job of hers.”

The mention of Dani’s name caught Nick’s attention. “What’s going on?”

“One of the cast members is missing.”

Michael laughed. “Did they check the bushes? The way they feed all those reality show contestants liquor, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the missing person is passed out under a bush somewhere.”

“Let’s hope not. They’re staying at a house literally on the beach. What if the person drowned or something?” Jessica pointed out.

“Jesus. I didn’t think of that.” Michael shook his head. “So what are they going to do? You think it’s on the news? We should turn on the TV.”

Jessica blew out a loud breath. “That’s the crazier part. The executive producer wants to keep it quiet.”

“What the—” Nick blew out a cuss. “Why?”

“Don’t know.” Jess shrugged. “Who can figure out why those L.A. folks do what they do?”

Michael let out a snort. “They probably want to use it for a cliffhanger when airing the show or something. Those Hollywood people are nuts.”

“My poor sister is going crazy. She said all sorts of shit is going wrong. A bunch of the girls almost had a fist fight this morning. Dani had to break it up. And that was before the bride went missing.”

Michael shook his head. “No surprise. Those shows are orchestrated to be dramatic. It’s no wonder things are blowing up.” 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Jessica agreed.

Nick considered barely a minute before he pulled out his cell and punched in a text. He might not always get along with Dani, but he understood handling extreme pressure, better than anyone else there.

NICK: Heard what’s happening on the show. You OK?

DANI: HOW DID YOU HEAR?!

She even managed to yell at him over text. Smiling at the all caps, Nick punched in a reply.

NICK: I’m at Jess and Michael’s.

DANI: Again?! Don’t you ever work?

Another not so veiled slam against him via text message. She was good. Sparring with her by text was almost as much fun as doing it in person. Almost.

NICK: I got hurt. Out for a few weeks.

If she really disliked him as much as she pretended, that little bit of information should make her very happy.

DANI: Sorry. You OK?

A smile bowed his lips. So she didn’t hate him so much after all.

NICK: I’ll live. But out for 3 weeks. You didn’t answer me. Are YOU OK?

DANI: Things are crazy. Don’t know how to fix them. Not fired yet but . . .

NICK: Want some help there?

DANI: From you? No!

He smiled at the typical Dani response.

NICK: Will you accept help from me with the condition I acknowledge you don’t want it?

It took a bit before the bubbles, and then her reply, appeared.

DANI: Maybe.

Wow. Things were bad if she would even consider letting him help her.

NICK: Where are you?

DANI: On set. The house where we’re shooting.

NICK: Text me the address. I’ll come to you.

He was honestly a little surprised when she texted back not with an argument or a snarky reply, but with the address.
Johnson, Cat. Hot SEAL, Runaway Bride: An Enemies to Lovers Romantic Comedy (SEALs in Paradise) Kindle Locations(745-784). Cat Johnson. Kindle Edition.

Nick really had no idea what he was getting into, especially once the bride returns. He is put into the spotlight and really doesn’t like it one bit.

The attraction between him and Dani is obvious to everyone but Dani and I love the way this relationship develops.

Plenty of laughs, suspense, and a simmer to sizzle romance.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this multi-author series.

5 Contented Purrs for Cat!

Cat Johnson

Cat Johnson is a top 10 New York Times bestseller and the author of the USA Today bestselling Hot SEALs series. She writes contemporary romance that usually features hot alpha heroes (who often wear combat or cowboy boots) and the sassy heroines brave enough to love them. Known for her unique marketing she has sponsored pro bull riders, owns a collection of camouflage and western wear for book signings, and has used bologna to promote romance novels.