Chesterboro University

Cord Spellman might be everyone's Prince Charming, but I'm only his fake Cinderella. That's why Cord's offer is perfect. The hot hockey star has playoffs coming up. He doesn't have time for girls, especially his cheating ex who's determined to get back together with him. He needs to focus on his game, so he asks me to divert the attention—as his fake girlfriend.

Shea's my best friend's sister . . . and the only girl I've ever wanted. She's always had a boyfriend, though, so I've been able to keep my distance. Now she's single. As her friend, she asks me to help her navigate our campus dating scene. Of course, I agree. I promised her brother I'd keep her safe—and keep my hands to myself. The only problem? The more time I spend with her, the harder it is to deny how I feel. Except I'm holding my life together by a thread.

Until now, college has been fun and games—all girls and hockey, all the time. It's senior year, though, and I'm still undrafted and unsigned. If I plan to play professional hockey, I need to prove to my critics that I can be a leader and take my hockey game seriously. But that doesn't mean I need to get serious in my private life. As the team captain, I'm expected to compete in a campus dance competition, and I get partnered with Ivy Deveraux. She's beautiful, no-nonsense, hyper-focused on her dance career . . . everything I'm not.

Acting is my job, but even I can't pretend Ash Draper isn't the hottest guy I've ever met. Ash was my first love—and my first heartbreak. When our high school relationship fell victim to distance and circumstance, I focused on my career. My first major movie releases in a few months, and I'm on the cusp of breaking out. For publicity, I'm paired with an established actor with a reputation in need of rehab. The assignment is simple: pretend to date. I'll get exposure, and the beleaguered actor gets my squeaky-clean image.

Growing up in Chesterboro, good girls were warned away from my brothers and me, and Penny Hampshire is a good girl. We're from opposite sides of town—her side has money and mine barely makes ends meet. But when a trauma leaves her feeling out of control and vulnerable, she asks me to teach her to fight. My family owns a martial arts gym, and I've been training and teaching forever, so I agree. Besides, private lessons pay well, and I'm saving up to move away from Chesterboro for good.