Zara hadn't planned to see anyone that day—especially not someone from her past who once made her feel seen. But Noah had been busy. Again. Meetings. Investors. Scheduled silence.
So when Lucas texted out of the blue—"Lunch? My treat. Also, I have an idea for you."—Zara figured, why not? She could use food and flattery.
She put on a sundress, dabbed on some lip gloss, and told herself this wasn't a date. Just… networking with someone who once had a crush on her and probably still did. Totally normal.
Lucas looked exactly the same. Charming smile. Rolled-up sleeves. A watch that probably cost more than her rent, but somehow less obnoxious than Noah's.
"You clean up well," he said as she slid into the booth.
"I always look good. You just didn't notice it back in college."
"I noticed," Lucas said smoothly. "You just kept running off with bubble tea."
She smirked. "Still do."
The waiter arrived. They ordered. And within minutes, they'd slipped back into the kind of rhythm that made Zara feel like herself—not a hashtag or a headline. Then Lucas dropped the real reason he'd invited her.
"You ever think about starting your own brand?"
Zara blinked. "A what now?"
"Zara Everleigh is a walking aesthetic. Snark, slippers, sass—people love you. I run a boutique agency. If you're in, I'll have a deck ready by tomorrow."
Zara choked on her lemonade.
"I'm sorry, did you just business-propose to me between the breadsticks?"
Lucas laughed. "Dead serious. You're bigger than the 'fake girlfriend' headline. You could be Zara the Brand. Think about it."
She was about to reply—But a chill ran down her spine. Someone was watching her.
She looked up and saw Noah Lancaster, standing across the room—very still. Their eyes met. Oh no. He looked… unreadable. Too calm. Like a glass of water right before it boiled.
Zara plastered on a smile. "Noah! What a surprise."
Noah walked over, steps measured, the tension in his shoulders disguised by that perfectly tailored blazer.
Lucas stood. "Hey, man. Didn't know you were back in the city."
Noah's smile was the polite kind that could cut glass.
"I could say the same." He turned to Zara. "Didn't realize you had lunch plans."
"You didn't ask," she said sweetly, sipping her drink.
Lucas raised a brow. "We were just talking shop. I'm offering Zara a branding opportunity. Her own line. Personal PR. Full package."
Noah's jaw ticked. "Interesting."
Zara leaned back, stretching slightly. "Apparently I have potential. Who knew?"
Lucas chuckled. "Told you back in uni. She's got that something."
Noah didn't blink. "She does."
The tension was nearly edible.
Lucas got the hint and excused himself with a smile and a promise to email the proposal.
Once he was gone, Zara turned to Noah with her best innocent face. "Something wrong?"
"No," he said too quickly. "He's just… enthusiastic."
"You mean supportive. Believes in me. Offers actual opportunities without needing a fake kiss in return."
Ouch. Noah looked away for a second. Then back at her.
"You think none of this is yours?"
Zara's voice dropped. "I think it's easy to feel real when someone powerful is holding your hand."
Silence.
Then Noah said, "You're more than just this scandal."
"Then maybe you should stop treating me like a prop in your redemption arc."
That landed. Hard.
Noah didn't reply. He waited until Zara was alone, then quietly returned to her table.
"Have a good lunch?" he asked casually.
Zara stretched like a cat. "Delightful. Free food, good banter, emotionally harmless."
He raised a brow. "You met Lucas."
"Mhm."
"And?"
She popped a macaron in her mouth before answering. "He offered me a brand deal."
Noah blinked. "Lucas Tan offered you a brand deal?"
"Yes, that Lucas. Apparently, he runs a lifestyle startup now. Wants me to model for their new 'unbothered aesthetic' campaign." She smirked. "He said I embody chaos in comfort."
Noah took a slow sip of coffee. "You said he was a friend."
"He is."
"You also said he's your ex."
She winked. "People can be both. Like coffee and trauma."
He didn't respond. He was trying not to care. Trying very hard. But his brain kept supplying images of this Lucas guy—probably in vintage sneakers, saying things like "synergy" and "brand resonance" while charming Zara into doing yoga for the camera.
"Are you taking it?" he asked.
Zara tilted her head. "I might. Depends on the terms. And the snacks."
Of course. Of course, snacks were the dealbreaker.
Noah turned away, staring out at the skyline like it could explain the hollow feeling blooming in his chest.
He didn't want to be jealous. This was fake. They had rules. But still... Her ex wants her to be the face of his company?
---
That evening, while they waited for their car outside a charity event, Noah finally asked:
"So. Lucas."
Zara glanced sideways. "Hmm?"
"You guys dated?"
"Briefly," she said. "It was more like an almost-relationship. You know—flirting, ramen, poor emotional timing."
"Why'd it end?"
Zara shrugged. "He moved to Singapore. I moved on."
Noah nodded. Too fast. Then he blurted out, "Did you like him?"
She turned to him, amused. "What is this? A background check?"
"No. I just…" He paused. "He looked comfortable around you."
"He should. He's seen me cry over expired ice cream and once helped me fix my WiFi at 2 a.m."
Noah said nothing.
Zara's voice softened. "Are you jealous?"
He turned to her slowly. "Of course not."
She smiled. "You're a terrible liar."
Noah exhaled. "Fine. Maybe a little."
Zara grinned, then leaned in like she was about to share a secret. "Don't worry. I don't recycle exes. Just plastic."
He blinked. Then laughed. "God, you're weird."
"And you love it."
He didn't answer. But the way he looked at her?
Yeah. He definitely did.
---
Later that night, Zara found the email from Lucas.
Subject line: Zara Everleigh – Brand Launch Proposal (Confidential)
Inside was a PDF, full of mockups, marketing slides, and a potential campaign titled: "Slippers to Stardom."
It was bold.
It was real.
It was hers.
Zara stared at the screen, thumb hovering over the reply button.
Then she got up, went to the rooftop with a blanket and a snack pouch, and stared at the stars.
Maybe this whole fake love thing… made me forget how to be whole on my own.
The stars didn't answer. But they didn't need to.