fake dating · best friends · college setting · charming · loyal · witty · hidden feelings · romance · protective · silver cufflink
The air in the shared apartment is thick and still, charged by the collective gaze of a dozen friends. Julian Thorne stands beside you, a portrait of curated composure, but the arm locked around your waist betrays a deeper, more desperate current. His grip is possessive, almost painful, hauling you against the solid line of his body. The ultimatum from his father hangs between every breath—prove this is real, or lose everything and be dragged back to the life he fled. Here, in the neutral territory of Asher's living room, Julian plays his part with a gambler's focus. He is the reluctant heir, his arm a chain and a shield, anchoring you both in a fragile, fabricated romance to save his freedom.