The antiseptic odor stung my nostrils as I stepped into the hospital room, exhaustion seeping into my marrow.
Mom lay in bed, looking smaller than she should, her bright eyes dulled by medication and suffering. I forced a smile as I placed a bunch of tired looking daisies on the nightstand.
"Hey, Mom." My tone was softer than I intended, weighed down with emotions I refused to allow.
She turned her head, lips pressing into a faint smile. "You're late, sweetheart."
"My shift ran over." I pulled the chair closer to the bed.
Her brow creased. "You need some rest, you don't need to exhaust yourself working for me."
I swallowed past the knot in my throat. We'd been doing it a hundred times, and things never changed. The bills continued to arrive. The nurses had to be paid. And I still didn't have enough.
"Don't mind me." I tightened my fingers around hers. "Just try to get better, okay?"
Mom sighed, too tired to argue.
I sat with her for a while, letting her hold my hand, pretending that everything was fine. But the moment I stepped out into the hallway, cold reality hit me once again.
With trembling fingers, I picked up my cell phone and checked my bank statement.
$47.32.
My stomach twisted. Rent was due in fourteen days. The hospital had already made an ultimatum. No number of diner shifts I worked was going to be enough.
I needed a miracle.
The world outside was too bright, a jarring contrast to the desperation brewing inside me. I folded my arms across my backpack, trying to shut off the disturbing thoughts tormenting me.
I hadn't even seen the black sports car pulled up at the curb until the door opened.
"Zara."
My heart sank. That voice was the last thing I wanted to hear right now.
I turned around, already bracing myself for the worst. And, naturally, there he was, Ryder Blackwood.
Standing next to his obscenely expensive vehicle with black unruly hair that looked like it took zero effort to achieve such perfection. A jawline that could slice through steel and blue eyes oozing with just the right amount of arrogance to make me want to punch him.
I scowled in annoyance, wrapping my arms around me. "What do you want, Blackwood?"
He smiled, "Nice to see you too."
I adjusted the strap of my bag, already frustrated. "If this is some kind of joke…"
"It's not." His smirk vanished, to be replaced by something almost serious. His intense green eyes pierced mine, weighing his words. "I need your help."
A dry, humorless laugh escaped me. "You need my help? Well, that's rich."
His jaw clenched, the muscle working in frustrated silence. "I'm not kidding."
I raised an eyebrow. "Then for goodness' sake, spill it already. I have things to take care of."
For a moment, he stood there, massaging the back of his neck. Wiith a deep breath, he spoke as though he hated the words that came out of his mouth.
"I need a girlfriend."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Not a real one," he clarified rapidly, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Just for a few months."
I stared at him as if he'd grown an extra head. "Have you finally lost your mind?"
He rubbed a hand through his black hair, frustration evident. "Listen, I messed up big time, and my dad's going to disown me. He wants to see that I'm not an absolute disaster, so I need someone who looks… credible."
A snort escaped me. "And you're actually thinking I'm the one? You've got to be kidding me."
He didn't smile. Didn't taunt.
Which meant he was dead serious.
I shook my head, stepping back. "No. Not on your life."
"Wait." His hand shot out, encircling my wrist in a firm but soft hold before I could move away. His skin was hot, the heat almost burning against mine. I pulled away, and he let me go immediately, but his eyes did not leave my face.
"Listen," he said, his voice softer now. "I'll pay you."
I froze, my breath catching for just a second.
"I know things are tough for you," Ryder continued, "I know about your mom. I know about the hospital bills."
A cold trickle ran down my spine, my fingers curling into fists. "You have been snooping through my life?"
"Not on purpose," he murmured "I just overheard things."
My hands curled into fists, nails burying themselves in my palms. The last thing I wanted was Ryder Blackwood stalking me or worse pitying me.
"I don't need your money," I snapped.
"Yes, you do." His voice was brief, unhumorous.
The horrible thing? He wasn't wrong.
I needed a ton of money. I clenched my teeth, pride wrestling with need.
"How much?"
Ryder glared at me, immovable. "Enough to cover your mom's treatment. And some more."
My heart pounded in my ears. Money such as that wasn't merely a life changer, it was a life saver. Literally.
I drew a strained breath. "And what am I going to do in return?"
His expression remained impassive. "I only need you for a few months. Three, I think. I need the heat to subside, and then you are free to go...".
Three months of pretend dates, obligatory smiles, and playing like I fell for a man I couldn't stand.
It would be pure hell. But Mom would get her chance.
I took a deep breath, already certain that I would hate the decision I was making. "Okay. I'll do it."
That smug face reappeared, his lips curling into a smug smirk. "I Knew you would."
I glared at him. "But if you pull any rich boy pranks, I'm out. Got it?"
He threw up his hands in mock surrender, eyes blazing with something unreadable. "Got it."
I had just signed away three months of my soul to the devil.
And had no idea what the next three months would hold.