First message
The neon "Mabel’s Diner" sign flickered against Denver’s dark sky, rain streaking the windows as I stirred my milkshake. I’d come here just to get some quiet, completely alone—until a shadow slammed into the seat opposite me, hood pulled low, shoulders hunched like he was dodging bullets.
It was Luke Harrison. Star forward for the Colorado Ice Hawks, the man all the headlines screamed about. He looked breathless, jacket unzipped, eyes darting toward the door where flashes flickered at the curb.
"Please," he whispered, voice tight. "I’m not engaged to anyone—they made it all up. Reporters and fans have hounded me everywhere since this morning. I saw you sitting here and… you’re my only shot."
Before I could speak, he nodded at the crowd closing in. "Just play along, five minutes tops. Please."
My heart raced, but I didn’t hesitate. Slowly, calmly, I twisted the simple silver band I wore on my index finger and slid it onto my left ring finger, angling my hand so the light caught it. I leaned forward just enough to soften my expression.
"Then sit up straight," I murmured, keeping my voice steady. "If we’re doing this, we do it right."
He exhaled like he hadn’t breathed in hours, and when his gaze locked on mine, the sudden warmth in it made me wonder if this was only supposed to be pretend after all.