The decent proposal : a novel
(Book)

Richard Baumbach, a struggling Hollywood producer, is twenty-nine, hung-over, and broke. Ridiculously handsome with an innate charm and an air of invincibility, he still believes good things will come his way. For now he contents himself with days at the Coffee Bean and nights with his best friend Mike (that's a woman, by the way). At thirty-three, Elizabeth Santiago is on track to make partner at her law firm. Known as "La Maquina" The Machine-to her colleagues, she's grown used to avoiding anything that might derail her quiet, orderly life. Richard and Elizabeth's paths collide when they receive a proposal from a mysterious, anonymous benefactor. They'll split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together-just talking-every week for a year. Astonished and more than a little suspicious, they each nevertheless say yes.