Part Six

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"No," I say, sitting up straighter in my chair, trying to make myself look more serious. "The answer is no."

Vinnie steps into the room with the kind of confidence only he can pull off, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk that practically screams trouble. "No?"

"Yep, no." I glance at him over my laptop, raising an eyebrow as I watch his expression shift from mock surprise to full-on amusement. "I'm not doing it."

He walks in, hands in his pockets, like he's the king of the universe and I'm just some peasant he's decided to entertain. "Why not?" he asks, his voice dripping with feigned confusion, as if I just told him I had a pet unicorn or something. "I thought we were friends, Noah. You're gonna make me beg?"

I close my laptop with a snap, the finality of it loud in the quiet room. "Strangers don't drag other strangers into ridiculous schemes, Vinnie. And begging? Not happening."

Vinnie leans closer, still with that infuriating grin, his eyes glinting with something mischievous. "Come on, we're friends and you know you want to. Just admit it. You like the idea of us being... the perfect fake couple." He raises his eyebrows suggestively, practically daring me to fall for it.

I scoff, crossing my arms. "Perfect? You're about as far from perfect as a guy can get. You're more like a natural disaster in human form. Have you seen yourself? You'd get us kicked out of any respectable place in less than five minutes."

Vinnie tilts his head, eyes glimmering with that familiar playful defiance. "Natural disaster? Please. I'm a controlled burn, Noah. And besides, it's not about the perfect image. It's about the chaos—and you know you thrive on that."

I lean back in my chair, a smirk tugging at my lips as I look him up and down, his confident posture, his easy swagger. "Chaos, huh?" I tap my fingers on my desk. "Sounds like a fun way to get myself roasted on social media. But nah, hard pass."

Vinnie steps closer, crossing his arms now, his face lit up with something between amusement and admiration. "You know, I always thought you were the calm, composed type. But this?" He gestures to the space between us, the tension crackling in the air. "This is cute. You're just playing hard to get."

"Hard to get?" I scoff again, but I can't stop the way my heart races a little faster. "You really think I'd fall for your whole 'bad boy' act? Please. I'm not that easy, Vinnie."

He steps in closer, his grin widening as he leans in just enough that I feel the warmth of his presence. "You say that now," he teases, his voice dropping a little lower, "but I think you're just trying to convince yourself. Deep down, you like the idea of getting into all kinds of trouble with me."

I roll my eyes, trying not to think about the way his words make my chest tighten, or the way his scent is making me lose my focus. "You're so full of it. I'm not getting involved in any of your mess, Vinnie. Find someone else to play pretend with."

"Sure," he says, stepping back like he's giving me space. "I could go find someone else. But then I'd have to deal with a whole new set of problems, and frankly, you're the only one who gets my level of messed up. Besides," he adds, his eyes twinkling as he watches me, "no one else would put up with my charm the way you do."

I glare at him, fighting back a grin. "Charm? Is that what you're calling this? Because I'm pretty sure 'disaster in a bottle' is more accurate."

Vinnie chuckles, his gaze never leaving mine. "You say disaster like it's a bad thing. But fine, we'll call it magnetic chaos instead. That better?"

"Still sounds like trouble," I mutter, but the way his lips curl into that grin is enough to make me question my resolve.

He takes another step forward, a bit more serious now, and I notice how his usual swagger softens just a touch. "Look, Noah. I'm not asking you to actually fall for me. Just pretend for a little while, give me a hand with this mess. I could really use someone I trust. And I know you—" He pauses, his gaze intense for a second, "—you're not the kind to let people down."

I swallow, trying to ignore the fact that his words are hitting too close to home. "You have a funny way of asking for favors," I reply, my voice a little rougher than I meant it to be.

Vinnie tilts his head again, a little smirk tugging at his lips. "Hey, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. But remember, this offer comes with snacks. And I'm talking good snacks. Not the dollar-store kind."

I can't help the small laugh that escapes me, despite myself. "Nice try, but I'm not some stray dog you can lure in with treats."

"Maybe not," he says, stepping back toward the door, "but you're still curious. I know it. And curiosity kills the cat... or maybe just gets it into a lot of trouble."

"Get out," I say, though there's no heat in my words. I can feel myself smiling despite my best efforts to stay annoyed.

Vinnie holds his hands up in mock surrender as he reaches for the door. "Alright, alright. I'll give you some time to think about it. But don't say I didn't offer you unlimited snacks. And possibly a lifetime of chaos. I'm just saying."

He winks at me one last time before slipping out, leaving me with the buzzing silence of my room and the vague sense that I just lost a battle I didn't even know I was fighting.

"Alright, what happened?" Jake's voice is way too eager, like he's been waiting for this moment all day.

"What do you mean?" I ask, trying to act casual.

"Don't play dumb with me," he says, practically barking into the phone. "Vinnie was in your room for, like, half an hour. Spill. What did he want? Did he offer you a deal to join his secret cult or something?"

I sigh, leaning back against my pillow.

"Seriously though," Jake continues, now getting all mock-serious, "He's got money, looks, charisma... and most importantly, he's a disaster. You'd be the calm in the storm. It's the perfect match."

"I'm the calm one?" I mutter, already regretting this conversation. "How do you figure?"

"Well, you're like... the chill version of an avocado toast. Everyone loves you, but you're also practical. Vinnie is like an espresso shot—chaotic, strong, and likely to make someone lose their mind."

I stare at the ceiling. "And you think that would balance out? Really?"

Jake doesn't miss a beat. "Hell yeah! You'd be the power couple that makes everyone wonder how you're still friends, let alone dating."

I snort. "That's... not encouraging."

"Come on!" he says. "I get it. You're worried he's gonna break your heart or whatever. But, c'mon, you can just use him for free food and his ridiculous charm. It's like a college hack."

I narrow my eyes at the ceiling. "You're really selling this, aren't you?"

"Am I wrong?" Jake presses. "Look, you're not going to marry the guy. "

I groan, even though I'm secretly laughing at the ridiculousness of it. "No, Jake. I'm not doing it."

"Right. Well, we both know you're going to text him in five minutes, and when he shows up with nachos, you'll cave. Call it a hunch."

"Goodnight, Jake," I mutter, trying to escape the conversation before he can keep going.

I stare at the ceiling. Vinnie's stupid smirk haunts my thoughts.

Why is saying no to him so hard?

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