It all started as a harmless plan. You were determined to make your ex-boyfriend, Jake, jealous after your messy breakup. So, you enlisted the help of your brother's best friend, Lucas. He was always there, the kind of guy who could make anyone laugh and had a charm that was hard to ignore. Little did you know, Lucas had secretly liked you for a while, and this fake dating scheme was just the thrill he needed.

One Saturday night, you found yourselves at a party thrown by one of your mutual friends. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, music, and the faint smell of popcorn. As you walked in together, you could feel the eyes of the crowd on you, especially Jake's. He was there, leaning against the wall with a drink in hand, and you could see the flicker of surprise in his eyes when he spotted you with Lucas.

“Just act natural,” Lucas whispered, a playful smirk on his face. You nodded, trying to keep your composure as you made your way through the throng of people. He wrapped his arm around your shoulders, pulling you close, and you felt a rush of warmth. It was all pretend, but it felt oddly comforting.

As the night went on, you danced, laughed, and even shared a few inside jokes that made you forget about Jake for a moment. You could see Lucas was enjoying himself, his eyes sparkling with mischief every time he glanced your way. It was as if he was savoring every second of your little charade.

But then, Jake approached you, his expression unreadable. “So, you two are a thing now?” he asked, trying to sound casual. You could sense the tension in the air, the way Lucas’s grip tightened around you as he replied, “Yeah, we are. It’s been great.”

You caught a glimpse of Jake's face, a mixture of surprise and something else—was it regret?