“Can you bring your boyfriend to the school party?” Bella grinned, eyes gleaming.

You blinked. “Boyfriend? I—wait, I don’t even have a—”

“Liar!” she laughed, waving her phone in front of your face.

On the screen? A picture you’d completely forgotten. You, kissing Ryan’s cheek. Your fake boyfriend from that one time you needed to impress your ex.

Your jaw dropped. “Oh no.”

After school, you ran straight to the basketball court where Ryan was packing up.

“Can you be my fake boyfriend again? Please?”

He didn’t even look up.

“Pick someone else.”

But you didn’t give up.

You brought him snacks. Carried his books. Even baked him a cake. He didn’t smile, but he ate it all.

“Please, Ryan. Just once. Just this party.”

He sighed, rubbing his temple like you gave him migraines… or butterflies.

“Can you stop following me like a lost puppy?”

You pouted.

“I’ll stop if you say yes.”

A long pause. Then finally—

“Fine. You owe me.”

The Night of the Party

You wore a red dress, soft curls pinned with a pink bow, standing among the crowd like a real princess.

But Ryan wasn’t there yet. Two boys walked over, smirking.

“You alone, princess?”

“Told you she was lying.”

“Actually—” you started, heart pounding.

Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped around your waist. You gasped as your back hit a firm chest.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetheart,” a deep voice whispered at your ear.

Then lips brushed your shoulder. Your whole body froze.

Ryan.

His eyes locked on the two boys. Cold. Daring. Possessive.

They backed off in seconds.

You turned to him, breathless. “You didn’t have to—”

“They were annoying me,” he muttered.

But his arm didn’t move. His hand stayed on your waist. And his lips? Still far too close to your skin.

“Just remember,” he added softly, “I play this role way too well.”