The first time Mia Bennett met Ethan Cole, she accidentally spilled coffee on his shirt.

It was not a small accident.

It was an entire cup.

Hot coffee.

Expensive white shirt.

Very angry man.

And possibly the worst first impression in the history of first impressions.

“I’m so sorry!”

Mia stood frozen in the middle of the crowded café.

Ethan looked down at his shirt.

Then at her.

Then back at his shirt.

Mia swallowed.

“I can explain.”

His eyebrow lifted.

“Can you?”

“Not really.”

That answer surprised him.

For a second, his serious expression disappeared.

Mia quickly grabbed a handful of napkins.

“Here.”

Ethan took them.

“Thank you.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“You’ve said that.”

“I know.”

“Twice.”

“I’ll stop.”

“Good.”

Mia stepped backward.

Then accidentally bumped into the table behind her.

A glass fell.

She caught it just before it hit the floor.

Ethan stared at her.

Mia smiled nervously.

“See? I saved it.”

He looked at the coffee on his shirt.

“Congratulations.”

Mia wanted the ground to open and swallow her.

She had been late for work.

She had been running.

She had been holding a coffee in one hand and three folders in the other.

And then she had walked directly into the most handsome stranger she had ever seen.

His dark hair was slightly messy.

His eyes were deep brown.

And his expression suggested that he had never laughed in his entire life.

Mia looked at his watch.

“I’m sorry. I really have to go.”

“Of course.”

She turned.

“Mia!”

She stopped.

She slowly looked back.

The stranger was holding one of her folders.

She hadn’t even noticed she had dropped it.

“Your name is on this.”

“Oh.”

She walked back.

He handed it to her.

Their fingers touched.

Something strange happened.

Mia’s heart skipped.

She immediately pulled her hand away.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She turned again.

Then he said:

“Mia.”

She stopped.

“Yes?”

“You might want to look where you’re going next time.”

She looked at the coffee stain.

“Definitely.”

Then she hurried out.

Ethan watched her disappear through the café doors.

For some reason, he smiled.

He didn’t know it yet.

But that woman was about to become the most important person in his life.

Three weeks later, Mia had completely forgotten him.

She was too busy trying to save her job.

“You’re late.”

Mia stopped outside her manager’s office.

She looked at the clock.

“By two minutes.”

Her manager, Mrs. Collins, stared at her.

“Two minutes is still late.”

Mia sighed.

“Sorry.”

Mrs. Collins pointed toward the chair.

“Sit.”

Mia sat.

Her heart began beating faster.

This was never a good sign.

Mrs. Collins opened a file.

“You remember the Bennett Foundation?”

“Of course.”

“The charity event is next Saturday.”

“Yes.”

“And the board members will be there.”

Mia nodded.

“Yes.”

Mrs. Collins closed the file.

“Your job is to make sure everything goes perfectly.”

Mia smiled.

“I can do that.”

Mrs. Collins stared at her.

“Can you?”

Mia’s smile disappeared.

“Yes.”

“You spilled champagne on the director last year.”

“That was an accident.”

“You forgot the guest list.”

“I corrected it.”

“You sent the wrong invitation to a senator.”

Mia lowered her eyes.

“That was also an accident.”

Mrs. Collins sighed.

“You’re talented, Mia.”

“Thank you.”

“But you’re chaotic.”

“Less thank you.”

Mrs. Collins smiled slightly.

“That’s why I have one more assignment for you.”

“What?”

“You’ll be working directly with Ethan Cole.”

Mia froze.

The name felt familiar.

Very familiar.

“Ethan Cole?”

“Yes.”

Mia’s stomach dropped.

“Which Ethan Cole?”

Mrs. Collins looked at her.

“How many do you know?”

Mia remembered the coffee.

The white shirt.

The serious eyes.

The man who had told her to watch where she was going.

“Oh.”

Mrs. Collins frowned.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“Do you know him?”

“Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“I spilled coffee on him.”

Mrs. Collins stared.

Mia smiled weakly.

“Three weeks ago.”

“Of course you did.”

The office door opened.

Mia turned.

And there he was.

Ethan Cole.

Wearing a dark blue suit.

Looking completely perfect.

Mia immediately looked away.

Ethan noticed her.

His eyes widened slightly.

“You’re here.”

Mia looked at him.

“You’re here.”

Mrs. Collins looked between them.

“You two know each other?”

“No,” Mia said.

“Yes,” Ethan said.

They looked at each other.

Mia whispered:

“Really?”

Ethan smiled.

“You spilled coffee on me.”

Mrs. Collins closed her eyes.

“Of course.”

Mia wanted to disappear.

Ethan walked into the office.

“Nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you too.”

“Much calmer this time.”

Mia smiled.

“Give me five minutes.”

He laughed.

Mrs. Collins looked surprised.

She had never seen Ethan laugh.

Mia noticed it too.

For a second, they simply looked at each other.

Then Mrs. Collins cleared her throat.

“Enough.”

They both looked at her.

“You two will be working together.”

Mia nodded.

“Fine.”

Ethan nodded.

“Fine.”

Mrs. Collins handed Mia a folder.

“The charity event is important.”

“Why?”

“Because Ethan’s grandmother will be attending.”

Mia looked at Ethan.

He suddenly became serious.

“That’s good.”

Mrs. Collins looked at him.

“Is it?”

Ethan said nothing.

Mia noticed.

Something was wrong.

But she didn’t ask.

She had enough problems.

She didn’t need his too.

The next week passed quickly.

Mia and Ethan spent every day together.

At first, they argued about everything.

The seating arrangement.

The menu.

The music.

The guest list.

Even the color of the flowers.

“You can’t use white roses,” Ethan said.

“Why?”

“My grandmother hates them.”

“Then what does she like?”

“Red.”

Mia stared at him.

“Of course.”

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

“It means something.”

“It means rich people have strong opinions about flowers.”

Ethan laughed.

Mia smiled.

Then she realized she had made him laugh again.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You laugh.”

“Yes.”

“I thought you didn’t.”

Ethan smiled.

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you laughing now?”

“Maybe you’re funny.”

Mia’s heart moved strangely.

She looked away.

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late.”

Their relationship changed slowly.

Without either of them noticing.

They began having lunch together.

Talking after work.

Sharing stories.

Mia learned that Ethan loved old movies.

Ethan learned that Mia cried during romantic advertisements.

Mia learned that Ethan hated hospitals.

Ethan learned that Mia had once wanted to become a writer.

And slowly, Mia discovered that behind Ethan’s cold appearance was a gentle man.

A man who visited his grandmother every Sunday.

A man who secretly donated money to small charities.

A man who remembered every detail about the people he loved.

But Ethan also had a problem.

His family.

Especially his grandmother.

Margaret Cole.

She was wealthy.

Powerful.

And determined.

One evening, Ethan and Mia were sitting in a quiet restaurant.

They had just finished discussing the charity event.

Ethan’s phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His expression changed.

“Who is it?” Mia asked.

“My grandmother.”

“Answer.”

“I don’t want to.”

“That’s usually not a good sign.”

Ethan answered.

“Hello?”

Mia watched his face.

“Yes.”

Silence.

“No.”

Another pause.

“I told you I’m not interested.”

His expression became frustrated.

“I don’t care what you promised them.”

Mia stopped eating.

Ethan looked at her.

“I’m not marrying someone just because you think it’s good for the family.”

Mia froze.

He ended the call.

Silence.

Mia looked down.

“Sorry.”

Ethan frowned.

“For what?”

“I heard.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Why?”

“You don’t have to explain.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

Mia looked at him.

“Good.”

Ethan leaned back.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then he said:

“My grandmother wants me to marry someone.”

Mia nodded.

“Okay.”

“That’s all?”

“What should I say?”

“I don’t know.”

“Congratulations?”

Ethan laughed.

“That’s not funny.”

“Then don’t laugh.”

He looked at her.

Mia smiled.

Then his expression became serious.

“She’s arranged a dinner.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Are you going?”

“No.”

Mia stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to marry her.”

“Then don’t.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why?”

Ethan looked away.

“My grandmother owns half the company.”

Mia understood.

“If you refuse?”

“I lose my position.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Welcome to my family.”

Mia felt sorry for him.

“Is there someone else?”

Ethan looked at her.

“No.”

The answer was too quick.

Mia looked away.

She didn’t know why the answer disappointed her.

Then Ethan said:

“There could be.”

Mia looked back.

“What?”

He was staring at her.

“I could tell my grandmother I’m already seeing someone.”

Mia laughed.

“Then find someone.”

“I have.”

Mia’s smile disappeared.

Ethan continued:

“She’s sitting in front of me.”

Silence.

Mia stared at him.

“Me?”

Ethan nodded.

“You.”

She laughed nervously.

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Ethan.”

“I need your help.”

Mia shook her head.

“No.”

“You haven’t even heard the offer.”

“I know.”

“You don’t.”

“Whatever you’re about to say, no.”

“Just listen.”

Mia crossed her arms.

“Fine.”

Ethan leaned forward.

“I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

Mia stared at him.

Then she laughed.

Ethan didn’t.

“Oh my God.”

“Mia.”

“You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“You’re asking me to fake a relationship with you?”

“For three months.”

“Three months?”

“Until the board meeting.”

“And then?”

“We break up.”

Mia stared.

“You’ve lost your mind.”

“Probably.”

“Why me?”

“Because my grandmother has already met you.”

“When?”

“At the charity event.”

Mia remembered.

Margaret had approached her.

She had asked several strange questions.

Mia had thought nothing of it.

Ethan continued:

“She likes you.”

“She doesn’t know me.”

“Exactly.”

Mia stood.

“I’m leaving.”

Ethan grabbed her hand.

“Mia.”

She stopped.

His hand was warm.

Her heart began beating faster.

“Please.”

She looked at him.

He wasn’t asking as a wealthy man.

He wasn’t ordering her.

He was asking for help.

“Why me?”

“Because I trust you.”

The words affected her more than they should have.

Mia slowly sat down.

“What do I get?”

Ethan smiled.

“Money.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not selling myself.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know.”

Mia sighed.

“What else?”

“I’ll help you with your writing.”

She looked at him.

“What?”

“You said you wanted to be a writer.”

“How do you know?”

“You told me.”

“I did?”

“Last week.”

Mia couldn’t remember.

Ethan smiled.

“I remember things.”

Mia looked away.

“Three months.”

“Yes.”

“No romance.”

“Obviously.”

“No kissing.”

“Of course.”

“No sleeping together.”

Ethan nearly choked.

Mia’s eyes widened.

“Sorry.”

He laughed.

“I wasn’t expecting that one.”

“I just wanted to be clear.”

“Very clear.”

“And no feelings.”

Ethan became silent.

Mia looked at him.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Say it.”

“That’s the easiest rule.”

“Good.”

“Because it won’t happen.”

Mia nodded.

“Exactly.”

They shook hands.

The agreement was made.

A fake relationship.

Three months.

No feelings.

No complications.

No falling in love.

It seemed simple.

Until the next evening.

Mia stood outside the Cole mansion.

She looked at Ethan.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Your grandmother scares me.”

“She scares everyone.”

“That’s not comforting.”

Ethan smiled.

“You look beautiful.”

Mia looked at her dress.

It was simple.

Elegant.

“Thank you.”

He stared at her for a second longer.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you actually like me.”

Ethan smiled.

“Remember the rules.”

“No feelings.”

“Exactly.”

He opened the door.

Mia stepped out.

The moment they entered the mansion, everyone looked at them.

Ethan immediately took her hand.

Mia’s heart skipped.

She whispered:

“Too soon.”

“We have an audience.”

“Right.”

He moved closer.

“Smile.”

“I am smiling.”

“That’s not a smile.”

“Then do better.”

Ethan laughed.

Margaret Cole approached them.

She was elegant.

Beautiful.

And intimidating.

Her eyes moved from Ethan to Mia.

“So.”

Ethan squeezed Mia’s hand.

“Grandmother.”

Margaret looked at their joined hands.

Then at Mia.

“You finally brought her.”

Mia smiled.

“Yes.”

Margaret’s eyes narrowed.

“Your girlfriend?”

Ethan nodded.

“My girlfriend.”

Mia’s heart began racing.

Margaret looked at her.

“How long?”

Ethan answered.

“Three months.”

Mia nearly choked.

Three months?

They had only been pretending for five minutes.

Margaret smiled.

“Three months?”

Ethan nodded.

“Yes.”

Margaret looked at Mia.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mia opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Ethan stepped closer to her.

“Because we wanted to keep it private.”

Margaret smiled.

“How romantic.”

Mia felt Ethan’s arm around her waist.

She froze.

His touch was gentle.

Warm.

Comforting.

Too real.

Margaret smiled.

“I approve.”

Ethan looked relieved.

Then Margaret said:

“But I have one condition.”

Mia’s heart sank.

“What condition?”

Margaret looked at them.

“If you two are serious…”

She paused.

“…you’ll spend the summer at the family lake house.”

Mia stared.

Ethan’s expression changed.

“The lake house?”

“Yes.”

“Grandmother—”

“No arguments.”

“But—”

“You want me to believe this relationship is real?”

Silence.

Margaret smiled.

“Then prove it.”

Mia looked at Ethan.

He looked at her.

Neither knew what to say.

Margaret walked away.

Mia whispered:

“This wasn’t part of the agreement.”

“I know.”

“We’re not going.”

“We have to.”

“Why?”

Ethan looked at her.

“Because my grandmother doesn’t believe us.”

“So?”

“So she hired a private investigator.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“What?”

Ethan’s voice dropped.

“She’s watching us.”

Mia looked around.

“Right now?”

“Probably.”

Mia immediately moved closer to him.

Ethan smiled.

“What are you doing?”

“Making it believable.”

He looked down at her.

“You could have warned me.”

“You like it.”

“I do.”

Mia’s heart skipped.

She quickly looked away.

“Remember the rules.”

“No feelings.”

“Exactly.”

But neither of them noticed Margaret watching from across the room.

She smiled.

Because she had seen something neither Mia nor Ethan had yet realized.

The relationship might have started as a lie.

But the way Ethan looked at Mia?

That was real.

And somewhere inside the house, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Sophie Reed had just arrived.

She stood near the staircase.

Watching them.

Waiting.

And she wasn’t there to congratulate them.

She was there to expose them.

Because Sophie knew something Mia didn’t.

Ethan Cole had never loved anyone.

Not until Mia Bennett.

And Sophie was determined to make sure he never got the chance.

The next morning, Mia received a message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:

Enjoy your fake relationship while it lasts.

Mia stared at the screen.

Another message appeared.

I KNOW YOUR SECRET.

Her heart began racing.

Then a final message.

AND I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN ETHAN FINDS OUT WHO YOU REALLY ARE.

Mia’s blood turned cold.

She had no idea who had sent the messages.

But someone knew.

Someone knew the relationship was fake.

And someone knew a secret about Mia that even she had forgotten.

That night, Ethan called her.

“Are you ready?”

“For what?”

“The lake house.”

Mia stared at the message on her phone.

“No.”

Ethan laughed.

“Too late.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m outside your apartment.”

Mia rushed to the window.

Ethan stood beside his car.

He looked up.

She opened the window.

“What are you doing here?”

“Taking my fake girlfriend on vacation.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Probably.”

Mia smiled despite herself.

Then Ethan’s phone rang.

His smile disappeared.

“Who is it?” Mia asked.

Ethan looked at the screen.

The caller was unknown.

He answered.

“Hello?”

A man’s voice spoke.

“Mr. Cole.”

“Who are you?”

“I know about the girl you’re taking to the lake house.”

Ethan’s expression changed.

“What about her?”

The man laughed.

“Ask Mia about her father.”

The call ended.

Ethan slowly lowered the phone.

Mia saw his face.

“What happened?”

Ethan looked up at her.

“Nothing.”

But his voice sounded different.

Mia knew immediately.

Something had changed.

Ethan opened the car door.

“Mia.”

“Yes?”

“Come downstairs.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re going to the lake house.”

“And?”

He stared at her.

“And you’re going to tell me the truth.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

“What truth?”

Ethan’s eyes were no longer playful.

No longer warm.

“Who is your father?”

Mia couldn’t breathe.

The question she had spent her entire life avoiding had finally found her.

She closed the window.

And for the first time, she wondered if her fake relationship with Ethan had been a coincidence.

Because maybe Ethan hadn’t chosen her.

Maybe someone had chosen them both.

And the summer at the lake house was about to reveal a secret that would change their fake relationship forever.

Because sometimes, the most dangerous thing about pretending to love someone…

…is discovering that the love was never pretend at all.