Chapter 1

When I didn't react, Leo pressed. "Any other conditions? Name them."

He didn't hesitate, as if I were nothing compared to Vivian.

I was still holding the ice cream I'd waited in line to buy. Matcha. His favorite.

I'd thought he'd be happy to see me.

Just like I'd been two months ago, when his message popped up on my phone.

I'd secretly searched for that Instagram account countless times over the past six years. And suddenly, there it was.

When his request finally appeared on my screen, I was over the moon.

The boy I'd liked since high school liked me back.

For two months, I thought I was living a dream.

Then the dream shattered.

It stung.

For those two months, we only ever saw each other on video calls, but we talked late into the night about everything. We never ran out of things to say.

We laughed together. We hurt together.

Was that fake too? Apparently.

But Leo didn't know who I really was.

Vivian was the one he had wanted all along.

All that attention had been meant for her.

And now the boy I'd had a crush on for six years wanted me to help him win her over.

For a second, I wanted to throw his check away along with the melted ice cream.

But I needed the money.

Badly.

It would pay for my grandmother's surgery.

And it would end things between Leo and me for good.

I forced my voice to stay casual.

"I'll help you as long as you pay me."

Leo finally smiled. A real smile.

Somehow, I made it back to the dorm.

I'd barely walked in when Vivian looked up. "Zoe, did you give Leo my Instagram?"

I nodded, keeping my expression calm.

Vivian gave me a suspicious look. "How did you meet him?"

I turned away and bit my lower lip.

The irony of it. That morning, I'd left as Leo's girlfriend. Now I was his wingwoman.

"We exchanged Instagram handles at a student council event ages ago. We never talked after that. He asked me for yours today, so I sent it to him."

I kept my voice casual, and Vivian let it go.

My phone lit up.

Leo had sent me a screenshot from a popular dessert shop.

"They're launching a new burnt cheesecake. I want to get one for Vivian. Do you think she'd like it?"

I loved desserts. I loved burnt cheesecake.

My grip tightened around my phone.

"Vivian doesn't like dessert. She likes spicy food."

Leo answered instantly. "Got it. I'll take her out for hot pot then. Anything else she won't eat?"

I scrolled through our messages.

Two days ago, he'd known everything I liked. Now he was learning everything about her.

Last night, he'd sung me to sleep and promised to do it again while holding me.

How had someone who once felt so close become so far away?

I answered him and wiped my eyes. Vivian was curled up with her phone, laughing. She must have been happy with him.

Leo would be happy too.

I changed out of my stained skirt and left the dorm.

It was time to step out of Leo's world.

I wandered around until late, figuring Leo had probably asked Vivian out by then.

Instead, I came back to find Vivian burning up with a fever.

Leo called again and again. "Why did it take you so long to pick up? What's wrong with Vivian? I can't reach her."

I pulled my hand away from her forehead. "She's running a high fever, and she passed out."

Something crashed on his end. "What? Bring her downstairs now. I'll be waiting outside."

He hung up.

I checked my phone. He'd been calling nonstop.

Vivian was burning up. There was no time to waste. I pulled her out of bed and helped her toward the stairs.

She could barely stand. With most of her weight on me, I was sweating before we'd even made it halfway down.

Should I call someone?

No. Everyone is asleep. There's no one to call.

What if I wait too long and the fever fries her brain?

I gritted my teeth and pushed on.

At the next landing, Vivian stumbled. I lunged to catch her, and pain ripped through my wrist.

I sucked in a breath and tightened my grip.

Great. Getting hurt while helping my romantic rival. Just my luck.

By the time we reached the entrance, my legs were trembling.

Leo rushed over.

"Hey, watch it! You almost dropped her!"

He swept Vivian into his arms without so much as looking at me.

"She's burning up! Where were you? Why didn't you pick up? Do you realize you almost got her killed?!"

I stared at him, my swollen wrist throbbing at my side. One glance. That was all it would've taken.

But his eyes never left Vivian.

Then he carried her away.

I'd dropped a glass while talking to him. Leo had freaked out and wanted to catch a flight to see me. It had taken forever to convince him I wasn't hurt.

Now I was standing there injured, and he hadn't even noticed.

By the time I snapped out of it, his car was gone.

I'd actually thought he might notice the way I was cradling my arm. Maybe ask if I was okay.

Did it hurt?

Was I upset?

My wrist hurt. My heart hurt worse.

And there was no one I could tell.

I'd once believed Leo only had eyes for me. Turns out, he'd never been looking at me at all.

For the next few weeks, I had to watch Leo and Vivian flirt over video calls.

Every time, I stayed far away.

Hearing his voice brought back too many memories, and remembering them only made things worse.

"Zoe, can you get that for me?"

Vivian was in the shower, and her phone was ringing.

It was Leo.

I sighed. I'd agreed to be his wingwoman, so I answered. "Hello."

"Zoe?" He recognized me right away. I guess my voice wasn't as sweet as Vivian's.

"Yes. She's in the shower. I can take a message."

"Okay." He paused. "And about the other day... sorry I snapped at you. I was worried and got carried away. You know me. I can't hide what I'm feeling."

My breath caught. I quickly told him it was fine, then handed the phone to Vivian as soon as she came out of the bathroom.

Her voice immediately turned sweet as she started talking to Leo.

Why does he have to bring it up?

I'm finally getting used to this. Why does he have to stir up my feelings again?

I hate him.

But I hate myself even more for still letting him get to me.

"It's so annoying," Vivian complained, though the smile on her face said otherwise. Leo had sent her so many gifts that they barely fit on her desk.

"Leo's handsome, thoughtful, and generous. But we've been seeing each other for over a month, and he still hasn't made it official. He hasn't even held my hand."

I forced a smile. "He's crazy about you. It'll happen."

Another roommate chimed in, "That means he really cares about you. He doesn't want to rush things."

But Leo had confessed his feelings to me after just two weeks.

Maybe he was being more careful with Vivian. There was nothing wrong with taking things slow.

I'd picked out every gift he sent her, and she'd loved every one.

I knew better than anyone what Leo was like when he liked someone.

Maybe tomorrow he'd finally ask Vivian to be his girlfriend. Then they'd officially be together.

And me? I was just the wingwoman he'd paid to make it happen.