LOGINRiley's POVThe dinner went better than I expected. Considering most of the chaos had been caused by me, that was saying something.At least it wasn't a complete disaster. Cole’s mom seemed happy. Mr. Donovan hadn't scared me into a nervous breakdown. And somehow, despite everything, I was fairly certain we survived the evening.Cole didn't talk much on the drive back, but that wasn't unusual. Honestly, I didn't have the energy for conversation either. Dinner had drained me.Unfortunately, exhaustion didn't stop my brain from replaying Emelia's phone call. I couldn't stop wondering what she'd meant.‘She has nothing to do with why I came back.’I had considered telling Cole what I'd overheard. Then decided against it. It wasn't my place. Still, a small voice in the back of my head kept asking the same question. Who was "she"? And why did I have the horrible feeling Emelia had been talking about me?By the time I got home, June was nowhere to be found. So much for binge-watching her fa
Cole's POV"She's going to live, Cole. It's a er cut."Tyler's voice snapped me out of whatever thoughts had followed Riley down the hallway. I looked away from the direction she'd disappeared and found him smirking at me from across the table. Mom noticed immediately, of course she did."Look at him," she said, nudging Dad with her elbow. "He's worried."I frowned. "I am not worried.""You absolutely are."Dad sighed. "I owe your mother a thousand dollars."Tyler nearly choked on his drink. "What?""He bet me Cole wasn't over Emelia."The entire table fell silent. Then Tyler burst out laughing."So that's why you invited her?" I muttered annoyed.Dad looked completely unapologetic. "It was a scientific experiment.""It was a bet.""Same thing."I rubbed a hand over my face. I couldn't believe these people. Mom looked entirely too pleased with herself."I told him he was wrong.""And I was wrong." Dad shrugged."Very wrong."The sound of footsteps pulled everyone's attention toward th
Riley’s POVTalking to Cole's mom was easy. The hard part was Mr. Donovan. It wasn't because of my own issues with my father. At least, not entirely. And it wasn't because of his intimidating presence either, though the man could probably make seasoned politicians sweat with a single look.It was because of the way he and Cole interacted. Or rather, the way they didn't. Every conversation between them felt like two people standing on opposite sides of a battlefield, pretending not to notice the weapons. And for some reason, that scared me.Still, I did my best to be cheerful. Mr. Donovan's responses were short and measured, but I refused to let that discourage me. Cole had warned me on the drive over."My dad enjoys intimidating people." Those had been his exact words. "If you survive the first dinner, congratulations. You're officially approved."So naturally, I squared my shoulders and put on my best brave-girl smile. Apparently, Mr. Donovan found that amusing. A small smirk tugged
Cole's POVRiley stared at me like she'd seen a ghost. Honestly, I was just as surprised that I'd driven all the way here to pick her up."You're being childish," Tyler had said the moment we got home after our argument."It's not childish. According to the contract, neither of us is supposed to do anything that contradicts the narrative of this arrangement.""Looking at that clause, don't you think you broke it first? There was that picture with Emilia.""That couldn't be helped."Tyler rolled his eyes. "And you think this is any different?""Yes. Their situation is based on consent and free will."He laughed. "Oh my God." A hand pressed dramatically against his chest. "Cole Donovan is jealous.""What the hell are you talking about? Why would I be jealous? This is a contractual arrangement.""Which is exactly why you're acting ridiculous." He shook his head. "Even in a real relationship, Riley is allowed to have friends."Tyler started toward his room but paused at the doorway. "You
Riley's POVWhat kind of outfit was considered appropriate for dinner with your fake boyfriend's parents when you knew absolutely nothing about them? I sprawled across the mountain of clothes covering my bed and stared at the ceiling.Exhausted.The day had already drained whatever energy I had left. The argument with Cole felt like the final layer of icing on a very unpleasant cake. I didn't have the mental energy to pretend tonight.Not just because of the fake relationship. Because deep down, I knew spending an evening with the Donovans would remind me of everything my own family wasn't. And that was the part I dreaded.There was something uniquely painful about seeing something beautiful, getting a glimpse of it, then realizing it could never be yours. Maybe I should cancel. Call in sick? Fake food poisoning? Would Cole even believe me?"Urgggg."I groaned into my pillow just as my phone buzzed beside me. A new message. From Cole.7PM. Don't be late.A second message followed imme
Riley's POVOkay, what in theatre's name was going on?Cole pulled away from me, and for once, his usual stoic expression had been replaced by something softer. His eyes looked almost glassy, holding emotions I didn't dare try to name."Come on now, honey cub. You see your girlfriend every day. You haven't seen me in months. I believe I deserve a hug too."The woman spoke teasingly. Cole let out a sigh, but there was an unmistakable smile on his face as he stepped toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Uhhh? My gaze bounced between Cole, the woman, and then Tyler, who came sprinting toward us."Mommm!"He crashed into the hug immediately, nearly knocking all three of them over. The woman laughed, warm and genuine, as she held both her sons close. And suddenly it clicked. The reason she had looked so familiar. The smile, the eyes.The scene in front of me was undeniably beautiful, but something sharp tugged at my chest. I wished I had half their excitement for the dinner waiting f
Cole's POVThis was my first hackathon in a while, and I was enjoying every second of it. For the next few hours, the outside world didn't matter. No fake relationship. No Centennial Gala.Just code. Lines of code that demanded complete concentration.The annual department hackathon was one of the f
Riley's POVI woke up to my mom's call. I hadn't heard from her in a while. Then again, I hadn't exactly been making much effort to call either."Hi, Mom.""Hi, sweetie. How are you doing?"I sat up slowly and pushed my hair out of my face. Morning sunlight spilled through the gap in my curtains, p
Cole's POVI left class annoyed.The notification sitting on my phone screen shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did. Another stranger dissecting my life beneath the same picture that had started this entire mess.What annoyed me most wasn't the notification itself. It was the sudden realizati
Riley's POVThe first official group meeting for the Centennial Gala was today.I couldn't tell if I was excited or terrified, but I knew one thing for certain, I didn't want to disappoint. Failing was not an option.The conference hall was already half occupied by the time I arrived. Sunlight stre







