Chapter 6

Lila's Pov

I didn’t slow down until I was halfway down the hall. My pulse was still kicking hard in my ears, and not because I’d just rushed out of class.

Of all the ridiculous things Ryder could have said… his fake girlfriend?

The nerve. The absolute nerve.

I spotted Harper leaning against the lockers, scrolling on her phone. She looked up as soon as she saw me.

“Finally,” she said. “What took you so long?”

I yanked open my locker. “Your new favorite hockey boy.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Ryder?”

“Yeah.” I stuffed my books inside and grabbed my jacket.

“What did he want?” she asked, stepping closer.

I slammed my locker shut. “To make me his fake girlfriend.”

Harper blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me.”

She stared at me for a second, like she was waiting for me to laugh and admit it was a joke. When I didn’t, her mouth fell open. “Are you serious? He just… asked you that?”

“In the doorway. Blocking my exit like some big, arrogant wall.” I shook my head. “I told him no.”

Harper looked like she was trying to fit the pieces together. “Okay, but… why?”

“Why? Because it’s insane, Harper. That’s why.”

“No, I mean, why not say yes?”

I shot her a look. “You can’t be serious.”

She crossed her arms. “Lila, you’ve been talking about that scholarship for months. And now someone’s basically handing you a shot, and you’re saying no because… what? Pride?”

“It’s not pride.” I started walking toward the exit, and she hurried to keep up. “I just… I don’t want to get involved with him.”

“You wouldn’t be involved. It’s fake.”

“Fake still counts,” I said sharply. “Fake still means time spent with him, people talking, rumors starting. And then when it’s over, I’m the girl who was just part of some stupid game to him.”

Harper sighed. “Or… you’re the girl who got the scholarship she wanted, graduated debt-free, and moved on with her life.”

“I’ll find another way,” I said firmly.

She gave me a skeptical look but didn’t push it. That’s one of the reasons Harper’s my best friend, she knows when to drop a subject. Even if she doesn’t agree with me.

By the time the final bell rang, we’d both made it to the parking lot, talking about work instead of Ryder.

We clocked in at the coffee shop thirty minutes later. The afternoon rush had already died down, leaving only a few customers scattered across the tables.

I slipped into my usual routine, taking orders, making drinks, clearing tables. The motions were second nature by now, and for a while I managed to stop thinking about Ryder’s stupid grin and that ridiculous “fake girlfriend” proposal.

Almost.

I was wiping down the counter when I glanced at the clock and saw it was ten minutes to closing. Only one order left on the ticket. Easy finish.

“Next,” I called, turning toward the register.

And froze.

Ryder stood there, leaning against the counter like he’d been waiting all day for this moment. His smile was infuriatingly smug.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“Hey, Lila.” He pushed off the counter. “Nice place you’ve got here.”

“Are you stalking me?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Nope. Just came in for coffee.”

I folded my arms. “Uh-huh.”

“It’s true.” He held up his hands. “I was in the neighborhood, thought I’d try the coffee everyone talks about.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. What do you want?”

“Medium latte. Extra shot.”

I punched it into the register, then moved to the espresso machine without another word.

“So,” he said casually, leaning over the counter to watch me work, “have you thought about it?”

“About what?” I asked, even though I knew exactly what he meant.

“Being my fake girlfriend.”

I shot him a glare over my shoulder. “Still no.”

“Why not?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“That’s fair,” he said, like he was actually considering it. “But if you told me, maybe I could change your mind.”

“Not happening.” I set the cup down harder than necessary and slid it toward him. “Here.”

Before he could answer, Harper came out from the back, carrying a tray of clean mugs. She spotted Ryder immediately.

“Oh, hey,” she said brightly. “Nice to see you here, Ryder.”

He nodded, giving her a polite smile. “Yeah. Harper, right?”

“That’s me.” She set the tray down, then glanced between us like she could feel the tension. “You two… talking business?”

“Something like that,” I said quickly.

Harper didn’t push it, just smiled and headed to the other side of the shop to restock shelves.

Ryder took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes still on me. “You know, you’re making this a lot harder than it has to be.”

“I told you, you’re wasting your time,” I said flatly. “I’m not changing my mind.”

He set the cup down. “I can be very persistent. And I really do need your help.”

I crossed my arms. “Find another coach.”

He leaned in slightly. “Just think about it. We could actually help each other.”

I let out a short laugh. “I’m not helping you.”

He didn’t say anything for a second, just held my gaze like he was trying to read every thought in my head. Then he smiled again, slower this time, less smug and more… dangerous.

“Think about it,” he said softly, picking up his coffee.

I shook my head. “Find someone else.”

Without another word, I turned and walked to the back room.

As soon as the door swung shut behind me, I dropped into the chair in the corner, letting out a long breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. My shoulders ached from holding myself so rigid.

I hated how easily Ryder got under my skin.

It wasn’t just the cocky smile or the way he said my name like he’d known me forever. It was the fact that he seemed… like the kind of guy you could talk to. The kind who might actually listen.

And that scared me more than anything.

Because I knew if I ever let him close, really close, he’d break through every defense I’d built. And I didn't want that. Letting it happen wasn't an option!