The moment the car door slammed shut behind Sophia, Nate’s hand flexed around the steering wheel. He didn’t peel away immediately — just sat there, jaw tight, eyes flicking to the rear-view mirror as if Ryan might reappear.
Sophia folded her arms, pretending she didn’t feel her pulse jumping in her neck. “You didn’t have to threaten him like that.”
Nate gave a humorless huff and pulled onto the street. “You didn’t see the way he looked at you. Like he owned you.”
She flinched but covered it with sarcasm. “And you’re my hero now, right? Sir Fake Boyfriend.”
“You can drop the fake part for tonight,” he muttered, eyes locked on the road. “I meant every word.”
Silence filled the car, thick and vibrating with all the things she wanted to say but couldn’t. She focused on the blur of city li
