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.

like he was preparing for battle? Logically, Eddie was the most restrained, the least threatening. If anything, Cole should have felt the most

Cole didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t pry. Within the boundaries of friendship, she didn’t see the need to avoid

on,” she said gently. “Let me take you home. It’s the holidays–you should be with

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stay over?” Cole suggested. “Tomorrow we can go visit Mr. Whitley and

smiled faintly, ruffling her hair, but his mood

up on her toes, and cupped his face in her hands. “Hey, handsome–don’t look

wide and bright, shining under

couldn’t help but laugh

up to her building, a familiar car was already

his

said, touching his forehead to

rolled her eyes, but her tone was playful. “What could we possibly argue about?” She unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of

sooner had she closed the door than a small boy and a golden retriever bounded

York’s cheeks were flushed from the cold,

with his tongue lolling out,