Aria had no idea how she let herself get talked into this.
A "fake" date with Ethan Cole, king of smug smirks and dangerous winks, under the excuse of catching a corporate spy?
Yeah, sure. Totally business.
She stood in front of the restaurant — a cozy, dimly lit rooftop place overlooking the city skyline — tugging at the sleeves of her light sweater, regretting every life choice that brought her here.
"Looking for me?"
Ethan's voice came from behind her, stupidly smooth as always. She turned to find him looking annoyingly handsome in a casual button-down, sleeves rolled up, hands in his pockets like he didn't just single-handedly ruin her ability to think straight.
"Took you long enough," she muttered.
He grinned. "Missed me, Lane?"
"In your dreams."
They were shown to a corner table, tucked away from the main floor — perfect for a stakeout.
Ethan ordered for them without asking, which usually would've driven her insane, but tonight, she let it slide.
He raised his glass. "To espionage and questionable life choices."
She clinked hers half-heartedly. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
"Admit it," he teased. "You like the drama."
"Only when you're losing."
The banter felt… easy. Dangerous. A little too natural. And as the evening dragged on, neither could fully focus on the "mission."
Instead, there was too much laughing.
Too many accidental touches.
And way too many moments where their eyes lingered for a second too long.
But then — Aria spotted him.
A tall guy in a navy suit, sitting alone by the bar, pretending to scroll his phone but glancing their way every few minutes.
"That's him," she whispered.
Ethan followed her gaze, his expression darkening. "You sure?"
"Positive. He was at the office last week pretending to deliver a package. I remember his face."
Ethan's jaw clenched. "I'll handle it."
"Wait—"
But before she could stop him, Ethan was on his feet, striding toward the guy with murder in his eyes. Aria grabbed her phone and hurried after him.
The man noticed them approaching and bolted for the door.
"Oh hell no," Aria hissed, sprinting after them both.
They burst into the alley behind the restaurant, the rain from earlier leaving the pavement slick.
Ethan cornered the guy against the wall.
"Who sent you?" Ethan snapped.
"Back off, man, I don't want trouble—"
"Too late for that."
Aria shoved in between them. "Tell us who hired you or I swear I'll let him break your nose."
The man glanced between them, weighing his odds, and sighed. "Lawson."
Silence.
"What?" Aria demanded.
"Lawson's been setting you up," the man muttered. "He wanted to pin a leak on someone and you were easy — always arguing with this guy, always on his radar."
Aria's stomach dropped.
Ethan swore under his breath.
"I should wreck him," Ethan growled.
"Not yet," Aria said, pulling herself together. "We use this."
The guy took off running, but neither of them chased him.
They just stood there in the rain-soaked alley, hearts racing.
"You okay?" Ethan asked softly.
And for the first time, she wasn't sure how to answer.
"I hate him," she whispered.
"I know."
Without thinking, Ethan cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing a raindrop from her cheek. His eyes searched hers like he was seeing her for the first time.
"I swear," he said hoarsely, "I'll never let anyone screw you over again."
The words weren't supposed to mean anything.
They did.
And when he kissed her — this time with no pretense, no fake date excuse, no bets to win — Aria kissed him back like she'd been waiting for it since the day they met.
And maybe, just maybe… she had.....