Nina's POV
I threw the fifth dress onto my bed and wanted to scream.
It was 4:45 PM on Sunday. Theo was picking me up in forty-five minutes. And I had absolutely nothing to wear.
This is insane, I muttered, staring at the disaster zone that used to be my closet. It's just Sunday dinner. I've been to a million Sunday dinners.
But those dinners didn't involve lying to my entire family. Those dinners didn't involve pretending to date my brother's best friend. Those dinners didn't involve Dylan somehow already knowing about Theo and sending creepy texts.
I'd barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Marcus's face when he figured out the truth. Or worse—I saw Theo's hand on my back, his thumb brushing my wrist, the way he'd looked at me in the garden.
This is fake, I reminded myself. He's using you to impress his law firm. You're using him to survive Santorini. That's all this is.
So why couldn't I stop my hands from shaking?
My phone rang. Priya's face filled the screen.
Please tell me you're not panicking, she said the second I answered.
I'm not panicking.
You're lying. I can hear it in your voice. She squinted at me through the screen. Oh my God, you're still in your bathrobe. Nina! He's picking you up in less than an hour!
I know! I just—I don't know what to wear!
It's Sunday dinner at your parents' house. You've been doing this since you were born.
This is different!
Because you're bringing Theo?
Because everyone's going to be staring at us! Judging us! Deciding if we're really together! My voice was getting higher. What if they don't believe it? What if Marcus sees through us? What if
Nina. Breathe. Priya's voice was firm. Why are you so nervous? This is what you wanted. A boyfriend who'll make Dylan regret everything and get your family off your back.
Right. That's what I'd told her. That Theo and I were really dating.
The lie was getting easier. That should have scared me more than it did.
I just want it to go well, I said.
Then wear the green sweater. The one that makes your eyes pop. Pair it with jeans and those ankle boots. Casual but gorgeous. Like you didn't try too hard.
I pulled the sweater from my closet. She was right—it was perfect.
What about makeup?
Natural. A little mascara, some lip gloss. You're going to family dinner, not a photoshoot. Priya grinned. Although knowing your mom, she'll probably take a hundred photos anyway.
My stomach flipped. Photos. Social media. Evidence of this fake relationship that would exist forever.
Priya, can I ask you something?
Always.
Do you think Theo actually likes me? Or is this just... I don't know. Convenient for him?
Priya's expression softened. Nina, I've never seen Theo look at anyone the way he looked at you last night. When you were talking to me and he came over? His eyes didn't leave you once.
My heart did something complicated. He was probably just playing the part.
Maybe. Or maybe he's been interested longer than a few weeks and finally got brave enough to make a move.
I wanted to believe that. Which was dangerous.
I should get dressed, I said quickly. Thanks for the pep talk.
Text me after! I want every detail!
She hung up before I could respond.
I got dressed in a daze. The green sweater. Dark jeans. Boots. Minimal makeup like Priya suggested. I left my hair down—Theo had tucked it behind my ear last night, and the gesture had felt so natural I wondered if he preferred it that way.
Stop, I told myself. Stop thinking about what he prefers. This isn't real.
My phone buzzed at exactly 5:25.
Theo: Downstairs in 5 minutes.
Always punctual. Of course.
I grabbed my purse, checked my reflection one more time, and headed down.
Theo was leaning against his car when I walked out of my building. Charcoal pants, a blue button-down that made his eyes look darker, no tie. Casual but still unfairly attractive.
He straightened when he saw me. His eyes traveled from my boots up to my face, and something flickered in his expression.
You look beautiful, he said.
You're supposed to say that. We're fake dating.
I'm saying it because it's true. He opened the passenger door for me. Green is definitely your color.
I tried to ignore how much the compliment affected me.
The car smelled like his cologne—something expensive and woodsy that made me want to lean closer. I buckled my seatbelt and tried to look calm.
Theo pulled into traffic smoothly. For several blocks, neither of us spoke.
The silence was suffocating.
So, I finally said. Nervous?
Should I be?
You're about to lie to my entire family. Including your best friend.
I'm aware. His jaw tightened slightly. Are you nervous?
Terrified.
At least you're honest.
More silence. I fiddled with my purse strap.
Dylan texted me last night, I blurted out.
Theo's hands tightened on the steering wheel. What did he say?
Congratulations on the new boyfriend. He wants to 'catch up' in Santorini. I pulled out my phone and showed him the messages. How does he even know about us? We haven't told anyone except Priya.
Theo read the texts, his expression darkening. Someone at the party must have told him. Or posted something on social media.
No one posted anything. I checked.
Then someone called him. Theo handed back my phone. It doesn't matter. Let him know. Let him stew in it.
He sounds threatening.
He sounds jealous. Theo glanced at me. Which means we're already winning.
I wanted to feel victorious. Instead, I just felt anxious.
What if this doesn't work? I asked quietly. What if my family sees through us?
They won't.
How can you be so sure?
Because I'm very good at convincing people to believe what I want them to believe. His voice was matter-of-fact. It's literally my job.
Right. Lawyer. He argued for a living.
What about your emotions? I pressed. Can you control those too?
Theo was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was careful. I've had a lot of practice controlling my emotions, Nina. I had to raise Elena while grieving my parents. I built a career in one of the most competitive law firms in Chicago. Control is what I do.
That sounds exhausting.
It's necessary.
We stopped at a red light. Theo turned to look at me fully.
Are you having second thoughts? he asked.
No. Maybe. I don't know. I twisted my hands in my lap. I just keep thinking about Marcus's face when he figures out we lied to him.
He won't figure it out if we do this right.
And if we don't?
Then we deal with the consequences. The light turned green. But I don't plan on failing, Nina. When I commit to something, I see it through.
Even fake relationships?
Especially those.
Something about his tone made me look at him more carefully. But his expression was unreadable again.
Tell me about your current project, he said, changing the subject. The hotel in Nashville. How's that going?
I blinked at the shift. How do you know about Nashville?
You mentioned it at Marcus's engagement party two years ago. You were excited about landing the contract.
You remember that?
I remember a lot of things. He navigated around a slow driver. So? How's it going?
I found myself talking. About the boutique hotel's historical architecture. The challenges of preserving original elements while adding modern luxury. The client who kept changing their mind about the color scheme.
Theo asked questions. Smart questions. Specific questions about design choices and structural challenges.
How do you know so much about interior design? I asked, surprised.
I don't. I know about problem-solving and client management. Those skills transfer. He smiled slightly. Plus, I may have looked at your portfolio online.
You looked at my portfolio?
Last night. After the party. He said it casually, like it was normal. I wanted to understand your work better. In case anyone asks me about it tonight.
My heart did that complicated thing again.
That's... really thoughtful.
That's thorough. There's a difference. But something in his voice suggested it was more than just thoroughness.
We pulled onto my parents' street. The familiar houses. The driveway already packed with cars.
Reality crashed down.
This is it, I whispered.
Theo parked and turned off the engine. He turned to face me fully.
Listen to me. When we walk in there, I'm going to hold your hand. I'm going to put my arm around you. I'm going to look at you like you're the most important person in the room. And you're going to do the same.
I don't know if I can—
Yes, you can. His hand found mine, threading our fingers together. The touch still sent electricity through me. You're brilliant and strong and braver than you think. Stop doubting yourself.
You barely know me.
I know enough. His thumb brushed my knuckles. I know you built a business from nothing after your world fell apart. I know you show up for your family even when they underestimate you. I know you'd rather face humiliation than admit you're scared. That takes courage, Nina.
No one had ever described me that way. Like I was strong instead of broken.
Theo—
We should go in. He released my hand and got out of the car, coming around to open my door.
I stepped out on shaky legs.
Through the window, I could see my family gathered in the living room. Mom showing off something. Dad laughing. Sophia's kids running around. Marcus talking with my uncle.
All the people I was about to lie to.
I can't believe we're doing this, I breathed.
Theo's hand settled on the small of my back. Warm. Steady. Grounding.
Ready? he asked.
No.
Good. Neither am I. He guided me toward the front door. But we're doing it anyway.
My hand was on the doorknob when Theo stopped me.
Nina?
I looked up at him.
His expression was intense. Serious. Like he was about to say something important.
What?
I need you to know something before we go in there.
My heart was pounding. What?
Theo opened his mouth. Closed it. Whatever he was going to say, he changed his mind.
Never mind, he said quietly. Let's do this.
He reached past me and opened the door.
And the moment we stepped inside, everything changed.
NINA! Mom's scream could probably be heard in the next state. You brought Theo! I knew it! I KNEW IT!
Before I could react, my mother launched herself at us, crying and laughing at the same time.
Over her shoulder, I saw Marcus standing in the living room doorway.
His expression was pure murder.
And he was staring directly at Theo's hand on my back like he was planning exactly how to break every bone in it.