Page 93 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

Thisisgoingtobe our first date.

I exhale, trying to steady myself, straightening my shirt as I glance at the clock.

Almost time.

The doorbell rings, breaking my concentration.

Who could it be? Does Isla need something?

I open the door, but instead of Isla, I’m met with Conner’s signature cocky grin and Xander’s usual stony expression. Xander looks like he was dragged here against his will. Probably because he was.

“Well, well, well.” Conner steps inside without an invitation, taking his time and giving me a once-over. “You clean up nice.”

Xander moves past me, his gaze flicking over my outfit before the corner of his mouth twitches. “Someone’s dressed.”

I shut the door behind them with a sigh and cross my arms. “What are you two doing here? I’m heading out soon.”

Xander drops onto my couch, stretching his legs and picking up the fitness magazine on my table.

“We know.” Conner grabs a sports drink from my fridge, twists the cap off, and downs half of it in one go.

“Know what?” I eye him suspiciously.

“Couples’ Bingo Night. The whole town’s talking. Kind of weird seeing you dress up to impress my little sister.” He finishes off the bottle like it was his all along.

I shake my head. “I’m putting that on your tab.”

Conner smirks, tossing the empty bottle onto my counter. “You might want to hear what we found before you charge me.”

Something in his tone shifts.

“What is it?” I straighten.

Xander leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his Rolex catching the light. “Kyle.”

My jaw tightens. “What about him?”

Conner crosses his arms. “Turns out he’s been working with Diane Mills. Xander’s team dug into it.”

“Elaborate.” My voice comes out clipped.

Xander sits back, adjusting his cufflinks with slow precision. “They’ve known each other since college. Kyle reached out to her six months ago, offering to manage her digital marketing. He also convinced her to expand to Frosthaven—where, conveniently, he’d get a bonus every time someone signed up for her service.”

“All while he was still dating Isla.” Conner scoffs.

“I wonder why he never did that for Isla’s business.” Xander’s fingers tap once against his knee.

“I remember Isla turned him down when he asked her to promote his services to her clients. Said matchmaking was about helping people, not selling them.” A slow burn spreads in my chest. Kyle didn’t like that answer.

“That makes sense.” Xander nods slowly.

“So he found another way to make money.” Conner runs a hand over his jaw, shaking his head. “Explains why he’s been working so hard to sabotage her business. Thought it was just out of embarrassment, but this is business. And revenge.”

“What about Diane?” I flex my fingers, my hands itching to hit something. “Is she in on it?”

Xander pulls out his phone, scrolling through whatever his people sent him. “From what I’ve gathered, Diane doesn’t know the full extent of Kyle’s game. She trusted him because of their history. When he told her Frosthaven needed a better matchmaker, she believed him.”

I start pacing, jaw tight. “Does Isla know?”

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