Nina's POV
We left an hour later, after Mom made us take seventeen more photos and extracted promises to come to next Sunday's dinner too.
The moment we got in Theo's car, the silence crashed down like a weight.
He started the engine. Pulled out of the driveway. Drove three blocks without saying a word.
Marcus knows, I finally said.
Marcus suspects.
What did he say to you outside?
Theo's jaw tightened. That if I hurt you, he'll destroy me. That you're off-limits. That I promised years ago to never look at you as anything but his little sister.
The words stung more than they should have. And what did you say?
That promises made five years ago don't account for feelings that develop over time. That you're a grown woman who can make her own choices. That he needs to trust me.
Do you think he believed you?
No. Theo took a turn too sharply. He's a lawyer. He knows when someone's hiding something.
My stomach twisted. So what do we do?
We keep selling it. Make it so convincing he has no choice but to believe us. Theo glanced at me. Which means we need to be more careful. No hesitation. No cracks in the story.
There are already cracks. Dylan somehow knows about us. Marcus is suspicious. This is falling apart.
It's been one night, Nina. It's supposed to feel overwhelming.
Well, mission accomplished.
More silence. The city lights blurred past my window.
What did he whisper to you at dinner? I asked. When he refilled your wine?
Theo was quiet for a long moment. He said if this is some kind of game, he'll make sure I never practice law in Chicago again.
He threatened your career?
He threatened everything. Theo's voice was flat. My career. Our friendship. He made it very clear that if I'm not serious about you, I should end this now before it goes too far.
The irony would have been funny if it wasn't so terrifying. We were lying about being serious, but Marcus's threat was very real.
Maybe we should end it, I said quietly. Before someone gets hurt.
Theo's hands tightened on the steering wheel. Do you want to end it?
I don't know. I stared at my hands. I just keep thinking about the look on his face. The hurt. He's your best friend, Theo.
He's also overprotective of you to the point of being controlling.
He's trying to protect me.
From what? From having a relationship? From making my own choices? Theo's voice had an edge now. Nina, you're twenty-eight years old. You run a successful business. When are you going to stop letting Marcus dictate who you can or can't be with?
This isn't even real!
The words hung in the air between us.
Theo went very still. When he spoke again, his voice was carefully controlled. You're right. It's not real. I'm sorry—I got carried away.
But something in his tone felt wrong. Like the apology was a lie too.
We pulled up outside my building. Theo parked but didn't turn off the engine.
This was where I should get out. Say goodnight. End this awkward conversation.
Instead, I said, Thank you.
For what?
For what you said to my mother. About my business. I looked at him. No one's ever defended me like that.
Theo's expression softened. Your family should see what I see.
And what's that?
Someone brilliant building something remarkable. He turned to face me fully. Your mother treats your career like a hobby because she doesn't understand it. But I do. I see the work you put in. The risks you took. The success you've earned.
My throat felt tight. You barely know my work.
I know enough. His eyes held mine. I know you took a failed engagement and turned it into fuel. I know you built a six-figure business while your family was waiting for you to fall apart. I know you're stronger than anyone gives you credit for.
How do you know all that?
Because I pay attention.
The air in the car felt too thick. Too warm.
Theo
You should go inside, he said abruptly. It's late.
But neither of us moved.
Can I ask you something? I said.
What changed? You've known me for years. You were always just Marcus's friend. The serious guy studying in our living room. You never even looked at me.
Theo's jaw tightened. That's not true.
You barely talked to me before this.
Because I wasn't allowed to.
The confession hung between us.
What does that mean? I whispered.
Theo looked away, staring out the windshield. Marcus made me promise years ago. After Dylan. He said you'd been through enough and didn't need complications. He said you were off-limits.
So you stayed away.
I tried to. His voice was rough. I told myself it was the right thing. That you were his sister. That crossing that line would destroy our friendship.
And now?
Now I'm crossing it anyway. He looked at me, and something in his eyes made my heart race. For a fake relationship that's supposed to mean nothing.
The bitterness in his voice caught me off guard.
Theo
But you asked what changed. He turned to face me fully. You want to know when I started seeing you differently?
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
Your twenty-third birthday. You gave a toast at Marcus's engagement party. You talked about love being worth the risk even when it's terrifying. About choosing courage over comfort. His eyes didn't leave mine. You were wearing this yellow dress, and you smiled like you believed every word you said. And I thought— He stopped himself.
You thought what?
I thought you were the most extraordinary person I'd ever met. The words came out quiet. Raw. And I've been trying not to think that ever since.
My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it.
Why?
Because you were Marcus's little sister. Because I wasn't good enough for you. Because I'd already lost my parents and couldn't risk losing the only family I had left. His voice cracked slightly. So I stayed away. I pretended I didn't notice you. I told myself it was for the best.
Theo
But I noticed, Nina. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was achingly gentle. I've always noticed. The way you reorganize things when you're nervous. The way you listen to terrible pop music when you're working. The way you defend the people you love even when it costs you.
I couldn't breathe. This is supposed to be fake.
I know.
We have rules.
I know.
No real feelings.
I know. His hand was still against my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. But some rules are easier to follow than others.
The moment stretched. Dangerous. Electric.
I should have pulled away. Reminded him this was business. Reminded both of us what we'd agreed to.
Instead, I leaned closer.
Theo's eyes darkened. His hand slid into my hair.
We were inches apart now. So close I could feel his breath.
Nina, he whispered. Warning or plea, I couldn't tell.
This is a bad idea, I breathed.
The worst.
We shouldn't
We definitely shouldn't.
But neither of us moved away.
Theo's phone shattered the moment. Loud and jarring.
We jerked apart like we'd been burned.
He pulled out his phone, his expression hardening as he read the screen.
What is it? I asked.
Elena. Emergency at the hospital. He was already typing back. Her patient crashed. She needs me to pick her up—her car's still in the shop from the accident.
Reality crashed back. We were sitting in his car. Almost kissing. Breaking every rule we'd set.
You should go, I said quickly.
Nina—
It's fine. We'll talk later. I grabbed my purse and opened the door. Go help your sister.
I practically ran to my building's entrance.
At the door, I looked back.
Theo was still sitting there, watching me. His expression was raw and conflicted and something I couldn't name.
He rolled down the window. Nina—
Goodnight, Theo.
I went inside before he could finish whatever he was about to say.
In the elevator, my phone buzzed.
A text from Theo.
I meant every word I said. That wasn't acting. I need you to know that.
My hands shook as I read it again. And again.
Another text came through.
But you're right. This is a bad idea. We need to stick to the rules. I'm sorry.
Then a third message.
See you tomorrow for lunch with Elena. She wants to meet my girlfriend officially. 1 PM at the café near your studio. Don't be late.
I stared at the messages, my heart racing.
He'd almost kissed me.
He'd admitted he'd been noticing me for five years.
And now he was pulling back, hiding behind rules and schedules and fake relationship logistics.
My phone buzzed again. But this time, it wasn't Theo.
It was Marcus.
We need to talk. Tomorrow morning. My office. 9 AM. Come alone.
The text felt like a summons.
And suddenly, I realized: tomorrow I'd have to lie to Marcus's face.
Tell him this relationship with Theo was real.
Convince him his best friend wasn't using his sister.
All while trying to forget how Theo's hand felt in my hair. How his voice sounded when he said I've always noticed.
How close we'd come to crossing a line we could never uncross.
I looked at myself in the elevator mirror.
My lipstick was smudged. My hair was messed up from where Theo had touched it.
I looked like someone who'd almost been kissed.
And the scariest part?
I wanted him to finish what he'd started.
Rules or no rules.
Fake or not.
I was falling for Theodore Alexandris.
And I had no idea how to stop.