Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, much too bright for the hour and the amount of whiskey consumed.
Aria groaned, burying her face deeper into the couch cushions.
Bad move.
Because the memory hit her like a wrecking ball.
The fake date. The rain. The whiskey.
The kiss.
And worse — the fact she'd fallen asleep curled against Ethan Cole, the human migraine she'd spent two years hating.
She sat bolt upright.
And immediately regretted it.
Ethan was already awake, sitting at the kitchen counter, barefoot in sweatpants and a T-shirt, scrolling his phone and sipping coffee like he hadn't just emotionally short-circuited her entire existence.
He looked up, smirking. "Well, good morning, sunshine."
Aria glared. "Don't start."
"Too late."
"Did we…?"
"No," he chuckled. "Relax, Lane. You passed out midway through making fun of my Netflix recommendations."
She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Good."
"Although you do snore."
"I do not."
"Like a chainsaw."
"Jackass."
He grinned, sliding a mug toward her. "Coffee. Truce?"
She eyed him warily, then took a sip. Damn him — it was perfect.
"I hate you."
"You're welcome."
They stayed like that for a moment, the weirdest kind of comfortable silence.
But of course, the universe wasn't done torturing them.
Because her phone — which had apparently resurrected itself overnight — started blowing up with texts.
Gwen: You better be alive. Rumor is you left with Cole.
Gwen: IS THIS REAL?
Gwen: I swear to God if you married him in Vegas and didn't tell me…
Aria groaned. "Oh no."
Ethan glanced over. "Problem?"
"Somehow the entire office knows we left together last night."
Ethan's grin turned wicked. "Perfect."
"This is a PR nightmare."
"It's a goldmine."
"Ethan!"
"I say we lean into it."
Aria stared. "Are you insane?"
"Think about it. Let 'em talk. It'll drive Lawson crazy trying to figure out if we're actually together. And if anyone starts treating you different, we'll stage a public breakup. Dramatic tears, public shouting match, the works."
She opened her mouth to argue — then paused.
Because… okay, it was terrible. And unprofessional. And stupid.
But it would also be kinda fun.
And frankly, at this point, she couldn't tell if the idea of faking it was worse than how much she maybe, definitely wanted the not-fake parts.
"Fine," she grumbled. "But we do it my way."
Ethan raised a brow. "Meaning?"
"Meaning you don't get to gloat. Or act smug. Or pull any of your 'ladies' man' garbage."
"Deal," he said, holding out his hand.
She shook it.
And neither of them let go right away.
The tension snapped when Gwen's name popped up on Ethan's phone this time.
Gwen: OMG you two ARE together. This is my villain origin story.
He snorted. "Guess we're official now."
Aria rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the stupid grin tugging at her lips.
"Let's get to work before this turns into an HR complaint."
Ethan grabbed his jacket, holding the door open for her. "After you, fake girlfriend."
"Die."
And yet, her heart was way too happy for someone allegedly at war.....