ELLA'S POVThe sudden feeling of arms wrapping around me made me jump. Mom had snuck up behind me as I was packing my bag for school, her hands brushing against my chest in a squeeze.I stiffened, memories of yesterday flashing through my mind - Trent's darkened gaze as he drank in my half-naked form , the way my bra had felt entirely too flimsy under his piercing stare before I'd grabbed my clothes and fled the closet in humiliation.Quickly shoving those thoughts aside, I turned to find Mom beaming at me, eyes bright with a joy I hadn't seen in months. "Mom? What's got you so worked up this morning?" I asked, one hand straying to protectively cup my tender chest.She grabbed her phone and thrust it into my hands, a bright grin stretching her face. On the screen was a message from a number labeled 'Debt Collector':"See that?" Mom crowed as she jabbed a finger at the words. "That debt collector can kindly go kick rocks!"You have successfully paid off the remaining balance. Thank yo

ELLA'S POV"Ella?" Ryan's voice was laced with shock as our eyes met across the restaurant. "What are you doing here?"I blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of the awkward situation. "I...really don't know."Ryan turned his questioning gaze to Mom, who was beaming from ear to ear. "Is she your daughter?""Yes, she is!" Mom clasped her hands together. "And I see you two already know each other. This is going to be even easier than I thought."Easier? My brows furrowed in confusion as the pieces slowly clicked into place. "Wait...what's going to be easy?" She waved a hand. "Oh, there won't be any need for introductions or awkward getting-to-know-you conversations. You're already acquainted - the perfect match!"My jaw dropped as I finally grasped what she was implying. Was my own mother...setting me up on a date? With Ryan?Ryan seemed to connect the dots as well, because his head whipped towards me with raised brows. "But I thought you had a boyfriend?"Oh god, someone was definitel

ELLA'S POV"So..." Mom drawled, eyeing me over the rim of her wine glass. "Did you like him?"I set down my fork with a clatter on the iron plate. "Why would you expect me to like someone you just ambushed me with on a blind date?""Oh Please, Ryan is such a catch. He'll treat you so much better than that asshole Damien ever did," she stated.Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. "I don't care about any of that. My feelings for Damien are in the past.""Well, he's also very romantic," Mom continued. "You can't deny the setting that day was incredibly romantic."I couldn't stop the snort of laughter that escaped. "I really don't care about how 'romantic' he is, Mom."She stared at me before a sly smile stretched her lips. "Well, what if I told you he's the son of the owner of that fancy restaurant you two dined at tonight?"I paused, brow furrowing slightly as her words sank in. "Wait...what did you just say?""You heard me," Mom said, taking another sip of her wine. "Ryan's father is the

ELLA'S POVThe classroom fell silent as Mrs. Johnson, our history teacher, cleared her throat. All eyes turned expectantly towards the front."Class, I'd like to introduce our newest student," she began, shooting a warm smile at the tall, athletic figure standing beside her desk.My heart skipped a beat as Ryan swept his gaze over the room. Our eyes met briefly and he flashed me a grin before turning his attention back to Mrs. Johnson.She seemed to be drinking in Ryan's appearance, her eyes roving over his frame in a way that made me supremely uncomfortable. Get it together, Mrs. J!"This is Ryan Matthews," she continued, clearing her throat again. "He'll be joining us for the remainder of the semester."Ryan stepped forward then, absently running a hand through his tousled curls as he positioned himself front and center. "Hey everyone. I'm Ryan, and I'd be joining your class from now on."His gaze swept over the whispering girls, a lazy smirk playing about his lips. "I look forwar

TRENT'S POVWHAT!!The post hit me to the gut, rubbing me of my breath. What the hell? Could this be some sick joke? I whipped my head towards Damien, eyes narrowing as realization began to set in.Damien was the one who had initially shown me the picture of Ella and the guy. But he couldn't possibly be stupid enough to actually post and spread it publicly like this...right? As much of an asshole as Damien could be, I trusted that he would never want Ella's image dragged through the mud to this extent.Slowly, my gaze shifted over to where Ella sat frozen. My heart clenched painfully at the look of despair on her face. She appeared hollow, all the light drained from her eyes. In that moment, every instinct screamed at me to surge forward, to wrap her up in my arms and shield her from the judgmental stares and whispers surrounding us. But just as quickly, the image of the guy cupping her cheek flashed across my mind's eye, causing doubt to surge through me. Why did they seem so close