Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 7

Lila’s POVThere should be laws against boys like Ryan Keller.Real laws.The kind stamped by judges, and enforced by police officers with handcuffs.Because no one should be allowed to look this damn handsome at eight-thirty on a Monday morning.It was unnatural.Probably illegal in several countries.I stood near the front steps of Crestwood College with my backpack hanging off one shoulder, pretending to check my phone while shamelessly admiring Ryan across the courtyard.He leaned against the stone fountain with two of his teammates, the sunlight catching in his brown hair as if it personally adored him. His white shirt sleeves were rolled to his forearms, his tie loosened just enough to look like he had already made someone lose control.And by someone, I meant me.The sound of his laughter shattered through my thoughts. He had laughed at something one of his teammates said.Seriously, what was so funny?Tell me the joke too!He ran a hand through his hair, and for a second, I fo

Lila’s POV“You’re being dramatic.”“No, I’m not!” I snapped, glaring across the cafeteria table at Sophie while nearly choking on my juice. “There’s a difference.”Sophie rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t fall out. Sophie had been my best friend since freshman year, which meant she considered it her life’s duty to insult me when necessary.“All I’m hearing,” she shot back, stealing fries from my tray like the criminal she was, “is that the hottest guy in Crestwood just asked for your help, offered you money, apologized, and even promised to help you get Ryan Keller.”“He is not the hottest guy in Crestwood.”“Right. That title belongs to the man you’ve built a private shrine for.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied quickly, turning my face the other way to avoid where Sophie was getting at.“You almost cried yourself sick because Ryan asked another girl to the annual Crestwood Ballroom Dance.”“That’s a freaking lie.”“Really?” She hissed, her eyes

Lila’s POVI pushed open the heavy glass doors of the school library, still unable to get over the fact that Ryan had just spoken to me in the hallway. I’d spent the rest of the day replaying it like a broken record. And now, here I was, about to keep my end of the deal with Cole Harrison.I spotted him immediately.He was sprawled across one of the tables, as if he owned the place, his long legs stretched out. His chair was tipped slightly back on two legs—completely ignoring the giant “NO TIPPING CHAIRS” sign right behind him. His backpack sat unopened on the table, and instead of a notebook, he had his phone in his hand, lazily scrolling.Here we go, LilaI inhaled slowly, tightening my grip on my books as I began to make my way toward him. You can do this, Lila.It’s just tutoring.Just…ignore the fact that he's an annoying jerk.“Wow,” Cole’s voice cut through my thoughts the second I stepped closer, not even bothering to look up. “You actually showed up.”I dropped my books o

Lila’s POVCole’s eyes stayed locked on me as he stood there. His arm slid around my waist like it belonged there, pulling my flush against him in one smooth, effortless motion.“Next time, baby,” his voice snapped me back to reality, his thumb brushing lightly along my cheeks. “Don’t walk out on me like that.”Walk out?I blinked at him.Is he serious right now?“Cole—” I started under my breath, but this grip tightened just slightly. More like a warning to play along.Oh.I get it now.This was just a performance.“I—” I swallowed, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Maybe don’t say stupid things to me next time…baby.”A ripple of reaction spread through the room instantly, a few amused looks on most of their faces.“I promise it won’t happen again,” he murmured, his lips twitching slightly like he was enjoying this way too much.Then, like he suddenly remembered we had an audience, his gaze shifted, landing on a familiar figure who stood across the room. The same girl who’d been gr