Ethan couldn't focus on his biology textbook. For the past twenty minutes, he had stared at the same diagram of a plant cell, but all he could see was Lila's teasing smile from last night—the way she'd leaned in close, her words still echoing in his head.
"Maybe fate's got a sense of humor… I definitely wasn't looking for a hopeless romantic."
Ethan snapped the book shut with a groan. "Why am I like this?"
Across the room, Sam, his ever-sarcastic roommate, snorted without looking up from his gaming session. "Talking to yourself again, Lover Boy? That's, like, the fifth sign of a mental breakdown."
Ethan grabbed a pillow and lobbed it at Sam's head. "I'm fine."
"Sure you are," Sam smirked, catching the pillow mid-air. "Is this about her?"
Ethan froze mid-sip of his lukewarm coffee. "What? Who?"
"Don't play dumb." Sam finally paused his game and turned to face him, grinning like a shark. "You've been acting like someone rewired your brain. You're scribbling love poems at 2 a.m., sighing dramatically every ten minutes, and don't even get me started on the Lila smile you've got plastered across your face."
"I don't have a Lila smile," Ethan shot back defensively.
"You totally do," chimed in Mia, their other roommate, as she strolled into the room, munching on a bag of chips. "Honestly, it's gross. Cute. But gross."
Ethan buried his face in his hands. "Why are you two like this?"
"Because it's entertaining," Sam said, grinning. "Now spill. Did you confess your undying love yet, or are you still in the awkwardly-sitting-across-from-her-in-silence phase?"
Before Ethan could retaliate, his phone buzzed on the table. One word lit up the screen: Lila.
Lila: Are you free? I need a favor.
Ethan's heart skipped several beats as Mia leaned over his shoulder, reading aloud. "I need a favor. Oooooh."
"Go away!" Ethan swatted at her, grabbing his phone and jumping off the couch. "Don't read my messages!"
Mia smirked. "Too late. Your life's an open book, buddy."
Sam called after him as he bolted toward the door. "Good luck, Romeo! Don't trip over your own feet!"
---
Fifteen minutes later, Ethan found himself standing outside the coffee shop, hands shoved deep into his pockets. Lila was already there, sitting on the curb with her apron draped over one knee, a mischievous grin on her face.
"You got here fast," she teased as he walked up.
"Well, I'm a man of action," Ethan said, trying not to sound out of breath.
"Good. Because I need your help with something big," she said, standing up and brushing off her jeans.
Ethan swallowed nervously. "How big are we talking?"
Lila gave him a look that was equal parts amusement and challenge. "Let's just say... my ex is coming by to pick up some stuff I left behind, and I need you to pretend to be my new boyfriend."
Ethan blinked. "I'm sorry. What now?"
Lila smirked, her eyes dancing with mischief. "You heard me, Poet Boy. For twenty minutes, you're my fake boyfriend. Think you can handle that?"
Ethan's brain short-circuited. On the one hand, every romantic cliché he'd ever dreamed of was happening to him in real life. On the other hand, the words fake boyfriend practically screamed disaster.
"Isn't there... I don't know, someone else you could ask?" he stammered.
"Nope. You're my first choice," Lila said, patting his arm reassuringly. "Come on. It'll be fun. And I'll owe you one."
Ethan's pulse raced as he nodded slowly. "Okay. Fake boyfriend. I can do that."
Lila flashed him a dazzling smile. "Perfect. Just act natural."
---
Inside the coffee shop, Ethan felt like a nervous wreck. Lila's ex—some impossibly tall, rugged-looking guy named Josh—strolled in like he owned the place, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spotted Ethan.
"So," Josh said, his tone dripping with skepticism. "This is your new guy?"
Ethan straightened up, suddenly aware of how average he must look next to Josh. "Uh, yeah. Hi. I'm Ethan."
Lila, ever the pro, wrapped her arm through Ethan's and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Yep. He's the best thing that's happened to me. Isn't that right, babe?"
Ethan froze as every system in his body simultaneously shut down and rebooted. "Uh—yep. That's me. Best... thing."
Josh raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Huh. Well, good for you, I guess."
Ethan felt Lila's hand give his arm a quick, subtle squeeze—a signal. Without thinking, he blurted, "We're actually planning a weekend trip. Right, sweetie?"
Lila shot him a quick sideways glance, surprised, but rolled with it. "Oh yeah. A cabin in the mountains. Very romantic."
Josh looked uncomfortable now, which Ethan counted as a win. He tossed the keys to Lila and muttered, "Whatever. Keep the stupid stuff. I'm out."
As Josh disappeared out the door, Lila finally let out a loud laugh, her arm slipping from Ethan's. "You were way too good at that."
Ethan grinned sheepishly. "I... panicked."
Lila smiled at him, something softer this time. "Well, consider this favor paid. You're a lifesaver, Ethan."
And just like that, as Ethan stood there in the empty coffee shop, he realized two things:
One, he was in serious trouble.
And two, he wouldn't have it any other way.