Marla’s POV
I walked into the office like I actually belonged. Emails? Handled. Reports? Sent. Confidence? Unshakable. Weird. I didn’t know what Ives and I were, not really. But we had breakfast. We didn’t avoid eye contact. And last night… well. Let’s just say fake relationships weren’t supposed to involve that much tongue and hallway groping. But I wasn’t complaining. Even Dana noticed.
“You’re glowing,” she said, sitting across from me in the break room with her sad little salad.
“Maybe it’s the bad lighting.”
“Or maybe it’s the man candy you’ve been locking lips with at events.”
I raised a brow. “He’s a contract.”
“Uh-huh,” she smirked. “And I’m here because I love office chairs.”
I rolled my eyes, sipping my iced coffee. “Whatever it is… I don’t hate it.”
“You don’t hate him either.”
“Don’t start.”
“I’m just saying,” she teased. “I saw the headlines this morning.”
I groaned. “What now?” She pulled out her phone and read aloud with too much drama:
“Mercer’s Ex Becomes Wall Street Meme After Icy Snub, Guess Who Everyone’s Laughing At?” And yep, there was Ava. Mid-smile. Mid-rejection. Cropped perfectly beside a picture of me and Ives looking disgustingly synced.
“Yikes,” I muttered, hiding my grin behind my straw.
Dana grinned. “She’s going to lose her mind.”
“She already lost you.” She laughed, choking on croutons. And that’s when it happened. The door opened, and the temperature dropped.
“Aww,” Dana whispered. “Speak of the devil in designer heels.” I didn’t even have time to stand. Ava stormed in like she owned the damn building. Tight smile. Hair perfect. Rage barely covered by lip gloss.
“Don’t get cocky,” she snapped, not even bothering with a hello.
I raised a brow. “Morning to you, too.”
“You think you’ve won something?” she hissed. “This whole charade with Ives, it’s pathetic.” Dana straightened in her seat, ready to throw hands. I raised a hand to stop her.
“I think we’re just having lunch,” I said, calmly. “Unless you came here to deliver dessert?”
Ava laughed once, sharp and bitter. “He’s using you, Marla. Just like he used me.”
“Funny,” I replied, cool as ever. “I don’t remember him kissing you like that at company parties.”
She stepped closer. “You’re a decoy. A cover story. He’ll drop you the second it’s convenient.”
I stood then, slowly. “And yet… I’m still here. Still in his house. Still wearing his hoodie every morning.” Her jaw tightened. I don’t want her to know our real deal so I’ll just let it flow like everything wasn’t pretend.
“He’s not faking it,” I added, voice low. “Not the way he touches me. Not the way he looks at me when no one’s watching. And definitely not the way he kissed me last night.”
Ava’s eyes burned. But I didn’t back down. “That’s real. Every second of it.”
“You’re so naive,” she spat. “You really think you matter to him?”
“I know I do.” She stared at me, breathing hard. Then leaned in with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Enjoy the fantasy while it lasts,” she whispered. “Because I’m not done. And I always finish what I start.” Then she turned on her heel and walked out like she’d just delivered a curse.
Dana blinked. “Wow.”
“Right?”
She nudged me with her elbow. “You handled that like a boss.”
I sat down again, heart still pounding. “Yeah,” I muttered. “But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t freak me out.” Because I don’t really know what we are, as well.