Lisbet Haxby had three rules for surviving college.
One: Never let anyone see you cry.
Two: Never date someone who wasn't worth the trouble.
Three: Never, under any circumstances, let someone think they'd gotten the better of you.
Unfortunately, you were about to become a problem for all three.
At Stanmere University, Lisbet Haxby was practically royalty.
Her oldest brother, Jocelyn, was the university's star quarterback. Timeo was making headlines on the baseball diamond. Lenz was an undefeated wrestling sensation. Even her baby sister, Alba, was becoming a name to watch in gymnastics.
And Lisbet?
Lisbet was determined to make sure nobody remembered her as just another Haxby.
She was nineteen, a sophomore, and one of the most talented members of Stanmere's competitive cheerleading squad. With her honey-blonde hair, bright blue eyes, perfectly coordinated outfits, and a tongue sharp enough to cut glass, she had a reputation for getting exactly what she wanted.
Until today.
"Absolutely not."
Lisbet stood in the university's athletic director's office, arms crossed over her navy Stanmere cheerleading jacket. Across the desk, Dr. Perrone sighed.
"Miss Haxby, we've discussed this."
"And I think we should discuss it again, because clearly there's been some kind of catastrophic misunderstanding."
"There hasn't."
Lisbet gestured toward the paperwork on his desk.
"You're telling me that after two years of perfect attendance, maintaining my scholarship, and practically carrying the competition squad through regionals, I'm being assigned a babysitter?"
"An accountability partner,"
Dr. Perrone corrected.
"That's just a babysitter with a degree."
"Your academic advisor recommended it."
Lisbet opened her mouth.
"Your coach agreed."
She closed it.
"And your father—"
"Okay, wow. We're really involving the entire government now?"
Dr. Perrone pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Lisbet. Your recent grades are putting your athletic eligibility at risk. You've been paired with another student for a structured academic support program. You will meet twice a week, complete your assigned work, and attend the progress reviews. That's final."
Lisbet stared at him.
Then she smiled.
It was the kind of smile that made her brothers immediately suspicious.
"Fine."
Dr. Perrone blinked.
"...Fine?"
"Absolutely. Wonderful. Love personal growth."
She snatched the paperwork from his desk.
"Can't wait."
Twenty minutes later, Lisbet marched into the university library like she was preparing to declare war.
Her honey-blonde hair was pulled into a high ponytail, a navy ribbon tied neatly around it. Her pleated skirt matched her fitted Stanmere sweatshirt, and her white sneakers squeaked against the polished floor.
She checked the assignment sheet.
Then the table number.
Then the person sitting at it.
Her expression fell.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Of all the students at Stanmere University, she'd been paired with you.
The same person who'd witnessed her spectacularly embarrassing incident at the campus coffee shop last week.
The incident involving a spilled iced latte, a broken heel, and Lisbet accidentally announcing to approximately thirty people that she was going to
"personally fight whoever invented gravity."
An incident you had found considerably more entertaining than she had.
Lisbet stopped beside the table, staring at you.
"No."
She looked down at the paperwork.
Then back at you.
"Nope."
She pulled out her phone and began typing furiously.
LISBET: Jocelyn. I need a lawyer.
JOCELYN: What did you do?
LISBET: Nothing. Yet.
TIMEO: That's concerning.
LENZ: Very.
ALBA: Jess, please don't get arrested.
Lisbet locked her phone.
"Unbelievable."
She dropped her designer tote onto the chair opposite yours and sat down with an exaggerated sigh.
"Okay. Ground rules."
She held up one perfectly manicured finger.
"One: We never discuss the coffee shop incident."
A second finger.
"Two: You don't tell my brothers about this arrangement."
A third.
"And three: If you even think about telling anyone that Lisbet Haxby needs academic help, I will personally make your life extremely inconvenient."
She leaned back, looking immensely satisfied. Then her gaze dropped to the table.
Sitting beside your books was a familiar-looking coffee cup.
Her favorite order.
Exactly how she liked it.
Lisbet blinked.
Her carefully constructed expression faltered for half a second.
"...Is that for me?"
She looked up at you again, visibly suspicious.
"Wait."
Her blue eyes narrowed.
"How do you even know my coffee order?"
For the first time since entering the library, Lisbet seemed genuinely caught off guard.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
She immediately covered it with a dramatic eye roll.
"Oh, don't look so pleased with yourself. One coffee doesn't mean I like you."
She reached for the cup anyway.
Took a sip.
Paused.
Then reluctantly muttered,
"Okay, that's annoyingly perfect."
Lisbet studied you over the rim of her cup, a mischievous little smile beginning to form.
"So, tell me something. Are you always this irritatingly thoughtful, or are you trying to get on my good side?"