Collide With Me (#3 of 5: Hearts of Silverlake)

Laura: Being a popular ballet dancer isn't as glamorous as it looks-especially when you come from a rough background. Sure, people praise my talent and call me sweet, but those same people whisper about my scars, my past, and everything I've tried to bury. They think I don't hear them, but I do. I just keep my head high and tell myself to survive two more years of high school. Then I can leave it all behind.

Michael: On paper, my life looks pretty great. A solid dad, a sister who's my best friend, and enough stability to feel content. But for some reason, I can't shake the feeling that something's missing-that there's more to life than this quiet, steady routine. I just don't know what it is yet.

When Laura Donahue's day is interrupted with a request to tutor the quiet new kid, Michael Liu Jun, she isn't exactly thrilled. It's not that she doesn't want to help-she's just tired of navigating people's assumptions. And Michael? He's probably already heard the rumors that haunt her.

But what starts as stiff tutoring sessions slowly transforms into easy banter and an unexpected friendship. Michael begins to see the strength behind Laura's kindness, and Laura discovers the depth beneath his calm exterior. Just as her feelings for him start to grow, Michael drops a bombshell: he's into someone else-and he needs Laura's help to make that someone jealous.

When Michael asks Laura for help winning over his crush by pretending to date him, she hesitates but agrees-after all, it's just a favor, right? But as their fake relationship pulls them closer, Laura can't ignore the feelings stirring in her heart. She thought she could keep things simple, but nothing about Michael-or her emotions-is easy to untangle.

Now Laura has to decide: Does she tell him the truth and risk their friendship, or does she keep her feelings hidden and watch him chase someone else?