ログインLila’s POV “I am not letting Ryder walk me home. I’m perfectly fine walking home myself.” I argued, folding my arms across my chest. “You certainly didn’t sound fine five seconds ago.” Ryder shoved his hands into his pockets. “Come on, you should even be grateful I’m offering this immense pleasure.” I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re sick out of your mind if you think I’m going to let you walk with me, you dumbass.” “Whoa.” “Lila.” Harper scolded. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Clint looking genuinely shocked. “What?” I asked. “Nothing,” Clint said carefully.I bit back a retort, tightening my hands around my chest like I could fold them any tighter. I wasn't okay, okay? I didn't want to be around this guy. I wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and stay as far away from Ryder Hayes as humanly possible. Not walk to my house with him by my side. Why was Harper putting me through this?“Relax, okay?” Harper said. “It's not that big of a deal. I promise I'll make it up t
Lila’s POV I can’t believe Harper did this to me. Or you know what? I can believe it. This was Harper we were talking about. The same Harper who had practically adopted Ryder the second he showed up in town. The same Harper who somehow found a way to defend him every single time I complained about him. Of course she was going to set me up. At this point, I should’ve seen the double-date ambush coming from a mile away. Yet somehow, the crazy animal still managed to catch me off guard.Traitor. Ugh. I pushed through the kitchen doors and immediately spotted the culprit, stacking cups near the sink, and the second our eyes met, she had the guts to smile. I glared, but her smile only widened, and the only thing I could think of doing was glaring harder. “Hi.” I didn’t say anything to her. “Still mad?” Not a word. “I’m taking that as a yes.” Jenny looked up from where she was wiping down a tray. Her gaze bounced between us, then back again. “I feel like I missed something.”“Ye
Ryder’s POV Harper was halfway through explaining her newly introduced idea that had just popped into her head when a flash of honey-blonde hair caught my attention.Immediately, my gaze drifted toward the kitchen doors, and there she was. Lila emerged from the back carrying a tray, her expression carefully neutral as she headed into the café.A grin immediately tugged at my lips. A few minutes ago, I had caught her staring. Like actually caught her. It was so bad she couldn’t even deny it. One second she'd been pretending to work behind the counter, and the next she'd been watching me and Clint's conversation like she didn't even realize she was doing it.Then she practically fled into the kitchen before I could tease her properly. I was so surprised when she did it, that I stared at doors for so long that Clint even called me out on it, asking if I was even listening to him. He then looked back at the door, saw no one, and kept his mouth shut. And his expression too, because I c
Lila’s POV Five minutes ago, I had been annoyed that Ryder was now in my place of work and now butting into what was supposed to be my away-from-him time. But what I didn’t think about was the fact that Clint was also here, and Harper being the loud mouth that she was, decided to introduce Ryder and Clint.To each other. Officially. And yes, what you’re thinking is very correct. This is in fact the moment where my life completely falls apart. Because my best friend's boyfriend, and my fake boyfriend were becoming acquainted, which meant that even after this nightmare ends, Ryder is still going to stick around. Why? Because Clint and Harper totally fuck with him. What a huge bonus for me. Unfortunately for me, I worked at the counter, and not inside like Harper, which meant I got a front-row seat to whatever strange friendship was currently developing between Ryder and Clint. “Come on,” Ryder leaned back in his seat, slinging an arm over the backrest. “You've gotta at least try o
Lila’s POV “Oh hey babe,” Harper grinned, throwing her arms around Clint, before giving him a small kiss on his lips. “Didn’t see you there.” “Hmm.” He looked down at her with smitten eyes. Sometimes I just forgot how hopelessly in love they were with each other. “And is that why you’re now finding someone else kind of cute?” He lifted a brow. “Ouu, someone sounds jealous.” Harper purred. “But don’t worry there’s no need to be. I was just convincing Lila about Ryder.” My heart stuttered in my chest, and I looked at Harper with widened eyes. “Harp, what are you doing?” Harper looked at me like I was the one acting odd. “Umm… what?” I tilted my head slightly, silently questioning her words. What did she mean what? Were we supposed to be telling people about my situation with Ryder? “What’s wrong?” She asked, looking me up and down. “You’re telling him about Ryder?” I asked, shutting my locker. Then I shifted my gaze to him, giving him a small wave. “Hey Clint.” “Oh is that what
Lila’s POV My thoughts crashed into each other—humiliation, anger, disbelief, hurt—and I swallowed hard, willing myself to come back to my senses. Ryder’s thumbs brushed lightly against my cheeks. It was a grounding touch, nothing more, nothing less. And I’m afraid to say it helped really well. “You’re only giving him what he wants, Lila.” He murmured. “Relax, okay? Don’t let him get to you.” Well it was too late for that now. He had already gotten to me and I’m sure even Ryder knew it. It was such a shameful thing, really, but it was the truth. I had lost my temper because of Mason, and I don’t think he’d ever let me live it down. But standing here, with Ryder holding me steady while the rest of the world blurred around us, I found myself focusing on one thing. Not Mason. Not the stupid crowd or the stupid whispers. Just the stormy grey eyes refusing to leave mine. And then the waves of embarrassment came. Oh damn. My entire face heated up. What have I done? Did I just emb
Lila's Pov I didn’t slow down until I was halfway down the hall. My pulse was still kicking hard in my ears, and not because I’d just rushed out of class.Of all the ridiculous things Ryder could have said… his fake girlfriend?The nerve. The absolute nerve.I spotted Harper leaning against the lo
Ryder's Pov The next morning, I was no closer to figuring out how to make Lila say yes.I’d run through at least six different approaches in my head, be nice, be pushy, be charming, bribe her with coffee, play the pity card, even ask Coach to talk to her again, but every version ended the same. Sh
Ryder's Pov The first days of school always sucked.But this one was supposed to be different. This one was supposed to be my shot. My clean slate.No screw-ups. No fights. No running my mouth at the wrong time. Just good behavior, good grades, and good plays on the ice.The coach said if I played
Lila's Pov Monday morning rolled around faster than I wanted it to. I was still half-asleep when Mom called from the kitchen, her voice bright and too cheerful for seven a.m. “Lila! You’re going to be late if you don’t get up now!” I groaned into my pillow before forcing myself to sit up. The s







