Reading is dreaming with your eyes open

Elias Graham is a junk man. His parents started a salvage yard in Chicago Illinois in the early 1970’s and with Elias’ help have turned it into multi-million dollar business. One that Hollywood and renovators turn to for authentic architectural elements. His parents want to retire and make Elias a partner, but want him to be more settled in his personal life before they will do that.

Charleigh Chace is an entrepreneur who owns an upscale stationery store in Naperville Illinois. She has borrowed money from the equity her parents have in their business to buy her building and start her business. For three years, she has struggled to repay them but unless things change, she knows she will not be able to fulfill her obligations to them. She’s been offered a job in Las Vegas that will allow her to repay them in time, but that means losing her store and leaving her family.

When Elias spots Charleigh in a bookstore buying a book on business bankruptcy, he quickly comes up with a plan that will help both of them. If he can convince her to pose as his girlfriend in front of his parents, he will pay her for her services. All above board, just a little hand-holding and kissing in front of his parents for show. He feels a six months period is long enough to put his parent's mind at rest about his stability. He hates deceiving them but knows that they need this reassurance.

Charleigh agrees to the plan, and before one week is out, realizes she is in love with Elias. Elias makes the same discovery. Both of them realize that to reveal how they feel about each other will mean the deal will be off the table.