25 parts Complete Lila Hart lives by rules.
Rule #1: Always be two steps ahead.
Rule #2: Never mix friendship with feelings.
Rule #3: Avoid Carter James at all costs.
Lila's senior year is supposed to be simple-ace her classes, get into Columbia, and steer clear of distractions. Especially the cocky, charming football star, Carter James, who's been her personal annoyance since middle school. Their relationship is built on sarcasm, eye rolls, and exactly zero meaningful conversations.
But when a heated argument at a party ends with an unexpected kiss-one that's way too good to be an accident-Lila's carefully crafted rules start to fall apart. To save face, they agree to fake-date, convincing everyone (and maybe themselves) that the kiss meant nothing.
Only, pretending isn't as easy as it sounds. Between late-night study sessions, forced proximity, and the undeniable tension they can't seem to shake, Lila realizes that Carter isn't just her favorite person to argue with-he might be the one person who sees through her walls.