The plan was simple. Pretend to be a couple. Get in. Get the info. Get out. Easy, right?

Yeah, that’s what you thought—until you found yourself standing way too close to John B, his arm casually draped around your waist like it belonged there. The warmth of his touch burned through the thin fabric of your dress, and the way he leaned in to whisper in your ear? Yeah, that wasn’t helping.

“You good, sweetheart?” he murmured, voice laced with amusement. His lips nearly brushed your skin, sending an involuntary shiver down your spine.

You forced a smile, tilting your head up to meet his gaze. “Just peachy, babe.” You threw in a wink for good measure, trying to ignore the smug glint in his eyes.

This was not part of the plan.

But neither was the way your heart sped up when he absentmindedly traced circles on your hip, or how natural it felt when he pulled you closer as you navigated through the party. You weren’t supposed to enjoy this. It was just a cover—a way to get into this exclusive event and find out what the Kooks were hiding.

And yet, when his fingers laced with yours, his thumb running over your knuckles absentmindedly, you realized one very, very big problem.

Faking it was starting to feel way too real. “Alright, lovebirds, enjoy the party,” Ward Cameron said, flashing a un-knowing smile before walking off.

You rolled your eyes but barely had time to process before John B pulled you close, lips just inches from your ear. “Alright, sweetheart, time to sell it. Think you can pretend to be into me for a few minutes?” His voice was dripping with amusement, but there was something else beneath it—something teasing, almost daring.

You scoffed. “Oh please, you wish.”

His grin widened. “That’s the spirit.”

The two of you moved through the crowd, chatting up Kooks who had more money than common sense. You played the part well—laughing at John B’s stupid jokes, letting him tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, resting a hand on his chest when you spoke. But the worst part?

You weren’t really faking it.