Witty in Pink

Keep your friends close. Keep your nemesis closer.

After nearly five years of avoiding him, Briggs Goswick may have appeared at my feet on horseback like a handsome white knight but, in fact, he is a certified man-child.

Briggs may be many things-a society darling (annoying), attractive (so unfair), and heir to an elite family (helpful)-but after humiliating me at a ball several years ago, he is primarily my archnemesis.

His presence has made this summer go from bad to. . . complicated. I have the weight of saving my family's name and finances solely on my shoulders, while I endure an endless parade of dreary balls and insufferable suitors to make a favorable match. But I have another idea-a business venture-to save my family. All I need are investors.

And as for Briggs? He's hiding a secret as well: he's flat broke.

Now the person I loathe the most in this world is just as trapped as I am-both penniless and our households depending on us to save them. And I think I know how. All I have to do is play nice with the very devil I've sworn to hate. . .

His society connections can boost me from near obscurity to help me win over investors for my business. And perhaps I can help him woo an aloof heiress with deep pockets. It's a long shot. It might even work. . . but do I want it to?