Synopsis

Catherine 'Cat' Marek has a sociology paper due on dissecting the laws of attraction. Project Panty Drop will case study two different men; one she'll go after in person and the other she'll attempt to charm online. Hiding behind her beauty, she tries to cover up her true geeky side, and the fact that she's partially deaf.

Jaidev 'Jai' Sankar needs to knock out a paper for his online sociology class. After an encounter with the Texas Tease, Cat Marek, he decides Project Friend Zoned will be the ultimate topic, proving a guy can remain in the friend zone with a girl he finds attractive.

As Cat puts the moves into overdrive, Jai finds it harder to remain in the 'friend zone' with her. The only thing keeping him from letting go is the fact his hardcore Hindu parents have a wedding scheduled for him. When neither can resist their attraction, the fight no longer becomes about their papers, but about the freedom to love each other.

Excerpt

Her face haunted me. The adorable dimple pitted in her cheek caught my eye first. Sexy full lips that folded into a gorgeous smile just about took my breath away. I did my best not to continuously stare at her, managing to throw just a few glances here and there hoping she got the message. But she didn't take the bait. Instead, she gave me a 'too good for you' glance while she plowed down a server on her way to the bathroom, probably to restock the toilet paper in her bra.

The Texas Tease, I called it. Lots of girls at UT had it—this one in particular—in spades. Shorter than my normal tastes, her alluring doe-eyes caught me off guard. The memory of her petite frame sashaying as she worked those sexy, black pumps played on a loop in my head. Along with the way her long, brown hair bounced with every step like a damn shampoo commercial.

She drove me insane, and I didn't even know her name. At least Mick confirmed she was a student at UT, apparently in one of his Economics classes.

She intrigued me, sitting in a sports bar drinking beer while her prissy friend sipped wine. I even caught her glancing at the Longhorn game on the big screen. A cute girl who likes beer and football? Every guy's dream. If only she weren't a snob. But, I'd put her in her place. And I had the perfect plan.

The ring of my Skype alert disrupted my plotting. Incoming message from Kanti, my best friend.

Kanti: Hey …

Me: What's up, brat?

Kanti: You busy?

Me: Never too busy for you.

Kanti: Stop with the sugar, you're giving me diabetes.

Me: LOL Better get used to it.

Kanti: Ugh. Don't remind me. Quick, what do you want for your birthday? You got the new Mortal Kombat release already?

Me: Yeah, of course I do. But you don't have to get me anything. You know that.

Kanti: I can't NOT get you anything.

Me: Tell me you talked to your parents and the wedding's called off. That would be an awesome present.

Kanti: Seriously? You know that isn't even in the realm of possibilities. So shut it.

Me: I can dream, can't I?

Kanti: Yeah, and I know what you do in those dreams. Not even going there.

Me: You're such a bitch. Why do I love you?

Kanti: Because we're best friends.

Me: Well, there's that.

Mick yelled through the door. “Jai, you comin' down or what?”

“In a minute,” I replied.

Me: I gotta go. Kegger tonight and we're hosting.

Kanti: Email me and let me know what to get you.

Me: Fine.

Kanti: LOL Kiss Kiss

Me: Whatever. LOL TTYL

I closed the lid on my laptop as Mick flung the door open.

“People are starting to arrive. You're on keg duty first.”

I tossed him a nod. “Yeah, I know. I'm coming. Just finishing up some notes on my Sociology project.”

“I thought you dropped that class?” He folded his arms, leaning against the door-frame.

“I was going to until Professor Wilkinson agreed to let me take it online, since it's the same time as my cinematography course.” I pulled out a notepad. “What'd you say that chick's name was again? The one we saw at the bar today.”

“Catherine Marek. But I think she goes by Cat.” Mick shrugged. “Why? I thought you said she was a snob, and you weren't gonna pursue her?”

“Oh, I'm not. I got my sights set on another girl I've been talking to for a little while. But I think that Cat chick will make for a perfect target on my sociology paper.” I wrote down her name and underlined it five times. “I'm calling it, Friend Zoned.”

Mick laughed. “Oh, this ought to be good. What're you gonna do?”

“It's what I'm not gonna do that's going be the best part. I'm going to act like I'm interested, then when she takes the bait, I'll friend zone her. I'm going to prove that a guy can be sexually attracted to a girl who's interested in him and still remain only friends. I'll be the best 'friend' she's ever gonna have.”

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About the Author

Wren hails from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin where beer and cheese are their own food groups. But a cowboy swept her off her feet and carried her below the Mason-Dixon line to Texas, where she promptly lost all tolerance for cold and snow. Fueled by coffee, dreams, and men in kilts, Wren promises to bring you laughter, sexy fun time, and action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The easiest way to her heart is anything to do with the Green Bay Packers, Doctor Who, or Joss Whedon.

Represented by Margaret Bail of Fuse Literary Agency.

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