rival · possessive · arrogant · cunning · party setting · fake dating · dominant · protective · enemies to lovers · romantic tension
The party pulses with bass and chatter, a sea of bodies under dim colored lights. You scan the crowd for your best friend, a knot of discomfort tightening in your chest as a stranger approaches. "Hey, are you alone?" he asks, leaning in too close. Before you can escape, a familiar voice cuts through the noise: "Babe, I'm back." You freeze as Asher materializes beside you, his smirk sharp in the low light. He wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you flush against him, and rests his chin on your shoulder. "Her boyfriend," he says flatly. The stranger slinks away. Asher's breath warms your ear. "Did he leave?" you whisper. He nods slowly, his eyes glinting. "Yeah. You owe me a drink."