A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

As soon as Eddie was out of sight, Cole relaxed, the tension draining from his shoulders in an instant.

Alessia swung his hand playfully, then leaned in so close their noses almost

touched.

Cole froze, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his eyes flickered to her rosy lips. “W–what’s up?” he stammered, blinking rapidly before glancing away. There was a guilty edge to his voice, and the tips of his ears turned pink.

“Just watching someone get all jealous for no reason,” Alessia teased, ruffling his hair with a grin.

“I was not jealous,” Cole muttered, his protest barely audible.

Alessia didn’t quite get it, but since Cole never really crossed any lines, she let it go. Besides, she found his little bouts of jealousy pretty endearing.

Even Alessia found Cole’s animosity toward Eddie a bit odd. If he was jealous, it should’ve been of Tristan Hollis. After all, their debut single had been born from three grueling days spent together–writing side by side, living on takeout, tweaking lyrics until dawn. Eddie, on the other hand, had only ever been introduced to Xander through her. That was it.

And honestly, even if Eddie did harbor some feelings for her, he’d never say a word. He wasn’t like Tristan, who could throw caution to the wind. Eddie always chose the safest path, never the boldest. If he sensed things weren’t going his way, he’d retreat before risking it all.

Confessing to Alessia? That was a dead–end street he’d never venture down–he wouldn’t gamble everything just to lose it all.

was it that Cole could treat everyone else with the same measured calm, yet when Eddie was around, he acted like he was preparing for

around it, but if Cole didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t pry. Within the boundaries of friendship, she didn’t see the need to avoid anyone; if things ever crossed a line, she’d

gently. “Let me take you home. It’s the holidays–you should be with

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12:39

Cole suggested. “Tomorrow we

her hair, but

up on her toes, and cupped his face in her hands.

were wide and bright, shining under the streetlights like

couldn’t help but laugh softly and

a familiar car was already parked out

from his expression, she

to hers as he

could we possibly argue about?” She unbuckled

the door than a small

from the cold, his eyes shining

his tail, circling them with his tongue