Finn

This PR stunt will be easy.

At least, that’s what I thought before Daisy started looking at me like she’d rather stab me with one of her blades than hold my hand in public.

I get it. I do. She’s always been the poster girl for perfection—poised, graceful, polite. On the other hand, I am the guy who once flipped off a judge on live television. So yeah, I can see why she’s not exactly thrilled about pretending to be my doting girlfriend.

That doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy every second of this.

I show up late to our first practice session as a “couple”—not on purpose, but not not on purpose. When I stroll into the rink, Daisy is already there, stretching, her expression so tight it could snap. Her leg is extended in a perfect arabesque, her back straight, and her arms positioned flawlessly. She looks like a damn statue, all elegance and restraint, and something about that just makes me want to shake her up.

“Nice of you to show up,” she bites out, lowering her leg and standing to her full height.

I drop my duffel on the bench and grin. “Miss me that much?”

Her glare could set me on fire. “We have a job to do, Finn. Try acting like you care.”

I roll my shoulders like this whole thing is no big deal. “Relax, sweetheart. We just have to make a few people believe we’re obsessed with each other. How hard could it be?”

She exhales sharply, nostrils flaring. “Obsessed with you? Nearly impossible.”

I smirk. “I do like a challenge.”

We go over the basics—handholding, lingering looks, the way we’re supposed to act like we can’t get enough of each other. It should be simple. But Daisy is so tightly wound, I’d bet money she sleeps in a perfectly straight line.

The best way to loosen her up? Push her buttons.

“You’re forgetting the most important part,” I say as I skate up beside her, letting my fingers brush against her arm. She stiffens immediately, and damn, that reaction is golden. “If we’re supposed to be in love, we need chemistry.”

She snaps her head toward me, hazel eyes flashing. “Don’t touch me.”

I smirk. “Too late.”

She shoves me back, and I can’t help but laugh. This is going to be so much fun.

“Strictly business,” she mutters under her breath, skating away like she can outrun this situation.

But I catch up easily, gliding beside her, making sure she feels every inch of my presence. “Sure, Daisy.”

The way her name rolls off my tongue makes her falter for just a second. Just enough to let me know that beneath all that ice, there’s heat. I can’t wait to break through to it.

She recovers quickly, jaw tightening as she spins to face me. “I don’t think you understand how serious this is. My reputation is on the line.”

I lean in just enough to make her uncomfortable, dropping my voice. “Oh, I understand, princess. But if we’re supposed to be madly in love, you might want to work on not looking like you want to murder me every time I get near you.”

Her lips press into a thin line. “That’s a tough ask.”

“Come on, Daisy. Fake it.” I grin, reaching out and tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear just to see how fast she’ll slap my hand away.

She sucks in a sharp breath, eyes flicking to my mouth for a fraction of a second before she jerks away. “Touch me again, and I’ll make sure you fall face-first on the ice.”

I chuckle, skating back a step. “Kinky.”

She groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I hate you.”

“Yeah?” I skate behind her, close enough that she can feel my breath against the nape of her neck. “Because your pulse is telling me a different story.”

She whirls around, shoving me again, and this time I let her, mostly because the pink rising in her cheeks is way too satisfying.

“New rule,” she says, voice clipped. “No getting in my space unless necessary.”

I grin. “Define ‘necessary.’”

She narrows her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave,” I say even though we know I absolutely will not.

Daisy exhales like she’s debating whether this is worth it. But she needs me, and deep down, I think she knows that.

“Alright,” she says finally. “Let’s get this over with.”

I watch as she skates to the center of the ice, standing poised, every inch of her carefully controlled.

This is going to be so much fun.