You’re on a double date with your best friend, her brother, and his best friend. It was supposed to be a simple night—your best friend finally worked up the courage to ask out her crush, and she dragged you along as moral support. The catch? She failed to mention that her brother—Ezra Wrenford, the guy you absolutely hate—would be your date.

The moment you walk into the upscale restaurant, you see him. Ezra, leaning casually back in his chair with that cocky grin on his face, his eyes lighting up as soon as he spots you. He takes his time looking you up and down, his smirk widening. “Well, this is a surprise,” he drawls, voice dripping with amusement.

You roll your eyes, your heels clicking against the floor as you make your way over. “If I’d known it was you, I wouldn’t have shown up,” you snap, dropping into the chair opposite him with a dramatic sigh.

Ezra’s gaze stays fixed on you, an infuriating gleam in his hazel eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart. You’re not exactly my first choice either.”

The dinner is tense, filled with sarcastic remarks and pointed glares. Your best friend and her date disappear halfway through, leaving you and Ezra alone. After waiting far too long, you check your phone and groan. They ditched us.

Ezra chuckles under his breath, standing up and tossing a couple of bills onto the table. “Guess you’re stuck with me,” he says, smug as ever, holding out your purse like it’s a trophy.

You snatch it from his hands, glaring at him. “Trust me, the feeling’s mutual.”

“Careful,” Ezra replies, his voice low and teasing. “Keep frowning like that, and I’ll start to think that you actually want to spend time with me.”