Page 20 of Faking It For Real

I winced. So she had noticed. "Yeah, about that. I'm sorry. It's not personal. I just..." How to explain that her perceptive gaze made me uncomfortable without sounding completely unhinged?

"You just what?" she prompted when I didn't continue.

"I just needed to focus," I finished lamely. "Scouts and everything."

"Right." She didn't look convinced. "So what's this favor?"

I took a deep breath. "My ex-girlfriend is here. Vanessa. We broke up last spring, and it was... not good. Now she's apparently decided she wants to get back together, and I definitely do not want that. At all. Ever."

Mia tilted her head, clearly not understanding where this was going. "Okay? And you're telling me this because...?"

"Because I need a buffer. Someone to keep her away while I focus on hockey and impressing scouts." The words came out in a rush. "And I thought maybe we could pretend to be... you know. Dating. Just until the end of the season. It would be mutually beneficial—you get exclusive access to the team for better photos, and I get to focus on hockey without Vanessa drama."

I'd expected skepticism. Reluctance. Questions. What I hadn't expected was for Mia to burst out laughing.

"Are you serious right now?" she asked between giggles. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. What is this, a bad romantic comedy?"

My ears burned with embarrassment. "It's not that ridiculous. It's a practical arrangement."

"A practical arrangement," she repeated, her laughter subsiding but amusement still dancing in her eyes. "Do you even hear yourself? Has anyone ever told you that you're incredibly intense about everything?"

"Once or twice," I admitted, my shoulders relaxing slightly at her reaction. At least she wasn't offended by the suggestion. "Look, I know it sounds crazy, but Vanessa has a way of... complicating things. And right now, I can't afford complications. The scouts—"

"Yes, the scouts, your career, the NHL, I know." She was smiling now, but not unkindly. "You do realize that normal people would just tell their ex they're not interested, right? Use your words, Wright. 'No thank you, Vanessa. Not interested in reconciling. Have a nice life.'"

I shifted uncomfortably. "It's not that simple with her."

"It never is," Mia acknowledged. "But I'm still not seeing how pretending to date me would be an actual solution rather than creating a whole new set of problems. For one thing, we'd have to act like we actually like each other, which might be a stretch given our history."

I winced at the accuracy of her assessment. "We could manage it. We're both adults. And it wouldn't have to be anything elaborate—just enough to send a clear 'not available' message."

She studied me with those observant eyes that always made me feel exposed. "Has anyone ever told you that your approach to human relationships is concerningly transactional?"

"My therapist, actually," I admitted, then immediately regretted it. I never talked about the sports psychologist Coach had made me see after last year's fight.

Mia's expression softened slightly at my admission. "At least you're self-aware." She sighed. "This is still the worst plan I've ever heard."

Before I could respond, a familiar voice called from behind me. "Ethan? There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

I turned to see Vanessa approaching, her angel wings bobbing as she navigated the narrow hallway. She was as beautiful as ever, with her perfect blonde hair and carefully applied makeup, but all I felt was a sinking dread.

"Vanessa," I said flatly. "Hey."

She brushed past Mia as if she didn't exist, positioning herself between us. "I've been trying to find you all night. We really need to talk about us."

I caught Mia's eye over Vanessa's shoulder, silently pleading for help. She looked torn between amusement at my predicament and something like sympathy.

"Vanessa, this is Mia Navarro," I said awkwardly, gesturing around the angel wings. "She's the photographer for the university paper, covering our season."

Vanessa barely glanced at Mia. "Nice to meet you. Ethan and I actually have some private things to discuss, so if you'll excuse us—"

"Actually," I interrupted, desperate to avoid being alone with Vanessa and her reconciliation plans, "Mia and I were in the middle of something important."

"It can wait," Vanessa said firmly, her hand closing around my arm. "I need to talk to you about us. About giving things another chance now that your career is taking off."

At least she wasn't bothering to hide her motivations. I looked to Mia again, hoping for rescue, but she was already backing away, her expression a mixture of amusement and what looked annoyingly like pity.

"I should get back to work anyway," she said. "Lots more photos to take. Nice meeting you, Vanessa."

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