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Ava

“I can’t believe someone could be so freaking self-centered they’d hog all the attention!” I stomp my foot on the ground, my frustration bubbling over.

“He sounds like a jerk,” Annie says, nodding sympathetically as I vent.

“You have no idea.” I roll my eyes, replaying the events of the night before in my head. Sebastian Kane is infuriating, and my anger at him makes it nearly impossible to focus on work.

“Why don’t you go for a walk? I can handle things here,” Annie suggests, noticing my growing agitation.

“I’m fine,” I insist, though my mind is busy concocting ways to put Sebastian back in his place the next time I see him.

“I just hope I can come up with something before my research gets canceled.” Regret seeps into my thoughts. I shouldn’t have danced with Sebastian. I should have stayed focused on Rubin, the one person who could have secured my project’s future .

“Ava, Dr. Anderson would like to have a word with you,” a research assistant announces, popping their head into the office.

I swallow a deep breath as my stomach twists. Annie gives me a thumbs-up, her silent way of wishing me luck. But as I walk toward the director’s office, it feels like my entire world is crumbling around me.

“How’s the research going so far?” Dr. Anderson asks with a warm smile as I take a seat across from her.

“It’s going well. In fact—” I begin to explain, hoping to salvage the situation, but she interrupts me.

“You’re aware I granted you an extension,” she says pointedly.

I nod, choosing my words carefully. “All I need is an investor,” I say, though inwardly, I’m cursing Sebastian. If it weren’t for his insatiable need for the spotlight, I could have nailed my presentation, and Rubin might already be on board.

“I was getting to that, actually,” she says sweetly, her tone at odds with the gravity of her words.

“I’m afraid if you don’t secure an investor in the next couple of weeks, we won’t be able to move forward with your project.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I gasp, scrambling for the right thing to say, but my mind is blank. Without an investor, the project is doomed. The chance of running into Rubin again? Practically nonexistent, unless he miraculously decides to host another gala this year .

“I understand,” I finally manage, though the words taste bitter.

“I have faith in you, Ava,” Dr. Anderson says as I leave her office.

Well, at least one of us does.

“Why don’t you just try to get a hold of him?” Annie asks, taking a bite of her sandwich.

“Who? Sebastian?” I nearly choke on my coffee.

“Why not? He knows Rubin, and after what he did, it’s the least he could do.”

She’s right, but the thought of asking Sebastian Kane for help makes my stomach churn.

“No. I wouldn’t ask him if he were the last person on this planet.”

Annie gives me an inquisitive look. “Something tells me this resentment goes way back.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “It’s a long story.”

“You know me. I love long stories,” Annie says with a laugh, clearly not letting this go.

Her curiosity is relentless, and it’s obvious she won’t stop until she gets answers.

“The only reason Sebastian ever played well was because of my dad,” I finally admit, sighing. “He kept Sebastian focused and made sure his head stayed in the game. But now? He’s lost his spark, chasing after shiny things.”

Annie looks amused. “You’ve known Sebastian for three years, and this is the first time I’m hearing about him?”

“I remember one time he missed practice and faked an injury, showing up on crutches. Then, just 48 hours later, his face was all over the papers—clubbing with some model.”

Annie’s eyes widen in disbelief.

“He lied to his coach?”

“He lied to my father,” I correct. “And my dad was so furious he refused to coach him after that. Sebastian begged for forgiveness, though, and my dad, with his big ‘ole soft heart, gave him another chance.”

I can still vividly recall the way my father’s face turned red with anger that day.

“And now? Sebastian Kane is more famous for who he’s dating than the number of goals he scores.”

“So, you hate him because he goes from relationship to relationship?” Annie asks, biting into her pen thoughtfully.

“No. What he does with his life is his business. I hate him because he’s arrogant and self-centered. He’s always had an ego the size of a stadium,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Hmm,” Annie says, drawing the word out, clearly not convinced. “Something tells me there’s more to the story. ”

She looks at me with that persistent, knowing stare, and I finally cave.

“Fine! Maybe there’s more to it,” I admit, perching on the edge of my chair.

Annie rubs her hands together, leaning in like she’s about to hear the juiciest gossip of the year.

“I may have had a... brief thing for him,” I mutter.

“What was that?” Annie smirks, leaning even closer.

“I did, okay? I did !” I throw my hands up in surrender, the confession slipping out like a dam breaking.

“And?” Annie presses, her grin widening.

“And he’s a jerk!” I blurt. “I overheard him talking to his teammates, betting that he could ‘score’ with me by the end of the season. I confronted him, and it turned into this huge fight. He called me an entitled brat, and I called him an arrogant asshole. After that, any feelings I had for him were over.”

I let out a long breath, the weight of the hidden truth finally lifting.

“Well, people do change, Ava. Maybe he’s not the same guy he used to be,” Annie suggests.

“Oh, he’s definitely still the same guy,” I retort, snatching up the newspaper and tossing it onto the table .

I start pacing, the frustration bubbling up again. I know what I need to do, but the thought of asking Sebastian for anything makes my stomach churn.

“I know I should call him, but—” I pause, the anger building. “I just don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he did me a favor. Ugh!”

I grab my phone, ready to call my father for Sebastian’s number, but suddenly my hand freezes mid-air.

“What is it?” Annie asks, watching me freeze.

“I can’t do it,” I admit, slumping back into my chair.

“You have two weeks, Ava,” Annie says gently, her worry mirroring my own. She’s seen how hard I’ve worked on this project. If I don’t figure something out soon, all my effort will have been for nothing.

“I’ll figure out something,” I say, trying to reassure her—and myself.

But deep down, with time slipping away, my anger toward Sebastian has started to morph into something worse: fear and disappointment. Everything I’ve worked for is hanging by a thread.

The next morning, I head to work with a heavy heart. I’d spent the entire night scouring for potential investors but turned up empty .

By eleven, my brain feels like it’s shutting down. I decide to take an early lunch, hoping the break will clear my mind. Shutting my laptop, I grab my bag and motion for Annie to follow me. But as I reach the door, I stop dead in my tracks.

Standing just outside my office is him .

Sebastian Kane.

His brown hair bounces slightly as he turns, one hand tucked casually into the pocket of his khakis. His sunglasses sit perched atop a crisp white T-shirt, and of course, his smug smile is firmly in place.

Why does he have to look so damn good?

“What are you doing here?” I manage to ask, the rage simmering back to life.

Annie stands silently beside me, her gaze flicking between us like she’s watching a live soap opera.

“I could tell you missed me,” Sebastian says with that infuriatingly cocky humor.

“You’re really bad at reading people because that’s completely not true,” I snap.

Any self-respecting man would have walked away after that, but not Sebastian. He just stands there, smiling like he’s untouchable.

Sebastian carries on, trying to maintain his cocky demeanor while Annie watches the interaction with great enthusiasm .

“I’m not as bad as you think,” Sebastian says with a smirk.

“You’re wasting my time, Sebastian.” I take a step forward, hoping he’ll move out of the way. Instead, he steps even closer, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“Fine, I’m sorry,” he says out of nowhere.

I blink, stunned. Did Sebastian Kane just apologize? He’s never apologized for anything.

“I actually came here to discuss something important,” he continues, his expression shifting from sarcastic to something almost... sincere.

“Oh, you mean like how you ruined my life?”

Annie’s eyes widen in horror as realization dawns on her. “You’re Sebastian Kane?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.

Sebastian nods confidently, as if Annie had just paid him the highest compliment.

I’m surprised she didn’t recognize him sooner.

“You must’ve seen me on TV,” Sebastian adds, his ego on full display.

“Sorry, I’m not a sports fan,” Annie says, giving him a sharp side-eye.

Sebastian’s confidence visibly deflates, and I have to admit, it’s a beautiful sight .

“I’m not sure what you mean by ruining your life,” Sebastian says, attempting to regain his composure. “But we could talk about it over lunch.”

“Did he just ask you out to lunch?” Annie whispers in my ear.

“No. I’m having lunch with a friend ,” I reply, giving her a pointed look.

“I’m not that hungry,” Annie says, pushing me forward with a mischievous grin. “I think you two should go.”

I glare at her, knowing exactly why she’s doing this. She wants me to talk to Sebastian because he might be my only chance to pitch my idea to Rubin McNeal.

After a long pause, I reluctantly agree.

We end up at a small café a block away from my office.

“This place is cozy,” Sebastian remarks, though it’s obvious he’s unimpressed by the modest ambiance. That, at least, brings me a small measure of joy.

I order a salad while Sebastian sips a glass of sparkling water, his confidence as unshaken as ever.

“You said you have something important to talk about,” I remind him, glancing at my watch to signal he doesn’t have all day.

“Actually, I’d like to know how, exactly, I ruined your life,” Sebastian says, his tone casual, as if the answer isn’t obvious .

“You really have no idea?” I ask, unsure whether he’s pretending or genuinely clueless.

Sebastian stares at me blankly.

“I was supposed to pitch my idea to Rubin McNeal at the gala,” I say, stabbing at my salad.

Sebastian’s eyes drop to my shirt as a bit of dressing drips onto it. He doesn’t even try to hide his smirk.

“So? What does that have to do with me?”

“You purposely distracted me with that dance and then monopolized Rubin’s time for the rest of the night. I waited an hour, and by the time you were done, he’d already left. Now I have two weeks to find an investor, or my project gets canceled.”

I drop my fork, my appetite gone.

Sebastian leans back, his expression thoughtful.

“Let me make it up to you,” he says, his tone unusually serious.

I narrow my eyes, skeptical. “How?”

“I can get McNeal to fund your project,” he begins.

That catches my attention, but I know Sebastian too well. There’s always a catch.

“And what’s in it for you?” I ask, leaning forward .

“Nothing much,” he replies, his voice low. Then he leans in, his eyes locking with mine. “I just need you to be my counterpart in a fake relationship.”

My stomach churns. “Is this some kind of joke?” I cough, struggling to process his words.

“No, I’m serious. For two weeks, you and I will pretend to be in a committed relationship.”

“With you?”

“Who else?”

I let his proposal sink in. It’s the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. If I agree, my project—and everything I’ve worked so hard for—could be saved. But faking a relationship with Sebastian Kane? The thought alone is unbearable.

Sebastian is spoiled, entitled, and thinks he can buy his way through life with charm and money. That might work on others, but not on me.

“This is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard,” I say, bursting into laughter.

Sebastian’s jaw tightens as heads turn toward us, drawn by my outburst.

“I’ll lose everything if you say no,” he says softly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic note of vulnerability.

“Well, that makes two of us,” I reply, grabbing my bag and rising from the table. “Thanks for lunch.”

Without looking back, I leave Sebastian sitting there, watching as I walk away.