Love In Strange Places

ta

ustration get the best of me. It wasn't rejection, not exactly.

rnship, consider elevating your social presence

- none of it was enough. Apparently, I needed to be seen out

f me, half a page of my research paper blinking back at me, but my mind had been hijacked by this ridiculous requirement. "What am I going

Jason Carter. Of course. He was surrounded by his usual entoura

guy whose name alone could open doors, while people

presence, why not give them exactly that? Not through meaningless small talk or networking events, but by

rible idea. He'd probably laugh in my face. Or

. The group of guys around him noticed me first, their amusement barely

ected." His tone dri

ce, but I squared my shoulders and me

ifted sligh

l, act

s teammates before turning his attentio

relationship. We pretend to

t a low whistle. Another mu

ng across his face. "You think pretending

l presence for an internship. You need to-" I hesitated

t his a

, elbows resting on

e. A serious relationship-even a fake

expression. "So let me get this straight. You want to use me to boost your soc

nst the table, pretending to consider i

u would, I would

itched, like he was fightin

a

hould've been ridiculous, but she stood there, arms crossed, completely serious. No hesitation. No awkward fidgeting

A student, never seen at parties, always focused on

ually serio

plet

you think th

zen times. "We spend time together in public. Hold hands. Maybe sit tog

the fun part

unimpressed. "It's not t

smirk. "Sure, sure

coughed out a laugh.

n or not?"

this could turn it into an even bigger spectacle. But that also meant controlling the narrative. Coa

ew more seconds, enjoying the way she tried not to lo

crossed her face bef

are rules

ssed tighter

. "One: No one ca

's ob

t means acting like a real couple, even

ed slightly

ment stretch. "No cat

eyes. "That won

llenge if I'd

y coffee. "Alright, girlf

mor

n. She turned to leave, but I wasn't qui

ed, glancing

willing to be

ouched her lips. "Th

y, leaving me