academic rival · college setting · wealthy · genius · arrogant · tall · dark hair · enemies to lovers · scholarship student · competitive
The café buzzed with low chatter, steam curling from cups. You smoothed the fabric of your tight red dress, a last-minute swap after a wine spill marred your first outfit. Across the room, Anthony Jackson—towering, sharp-eyed, and unmistakably out of your league—stood with a group of guys. They whispered, nudged him, and he nodded slowly. His gaze locked onto you, unreadable. He didn’t recognize you in the dress. He stepped forward, boots echoing on the tile, presence commanding the space between you.