Chapter 1: Clash of Egos
The theater reeked of paint, sweat, and ambition.
Ivy Cross stood center stage, arms crossed, brow furrowed. Her script was creased from rereading, the corners curled like they were trying to escape her grasp. Around her, hopeful students milled about—actors, stagehands, and directors, all clawing for a piece of glory in the university's spring production.
This was supposed to be her moment.
The lead role in *Juliet Unbound*—a bold reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedy, written by the school's most eccentric professor—was within her reach. Ivy had studied the script for weeks, treating it like scripture. She didn't just want the part. She needed it.
And then *he* walked in.
Luca Vance.
Too confident, too charming, too good-looking for his own good. With a lazy swagger and his usual leather jacket slung over one shoulder, he looked like a mistake someone couldn't help making twice.
The director, Liam, lit up when he saw him.
"Ah! Our Romeo returns."
Ivy nearly choked. *Our*?
Luca gave a lopsided smile. "Miss me?"
Groans and giggles rippled through the theater. Ivy rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. "You're late."
Luca turned, feigning surprise. "Ivy. Still playing traffic cop, I see."
"I'm playing the lead," she snapped.
"That's cute." He strode past her, casually flipping open a script someone had left behind. "Haven't cast yet, though. Right?"
Liam clapped his hands. "Actually, I was thinking—Luca and Ivy. Read the leads together. Let's see if there's any spark."
Ivy's stomach dropped. "Excuse me?"
Luca was already grinning. "I'm game."
She glared at him. "You never take anything seriously."
"And you take *everything* too seriously. It's exhausting."
Liam chuckled, entirely too amused. "Perfect tension. Let's begin, shall we?"
They took their places on stage. Ivy tightened her grip on the script, trying to ignore the way Luca smelled like sandalwood and trouble.
He leaned in slightly, eyes locking with hers. "Ready when you are, Cross."
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't screw this up, Vance."
Their voices filled the theater—hers sharp and precise, his smooth and layered with unexpected depth. The scene was electric, the lines crackling between them like a storm just waiting to break.
When the final line fell into silence, the room stayed still for a breath.
Then Liam clapped. "That," he said, "was exactly what I wanted. The tension. The energy. We've found our leads."
Ivy stepped back, stunned. She wanted to be thrilled. Instead, she felt like she'd just signed a contract with the devil.
Luca shot her a look as they walked offstage. "Looks like we're stuck together."
She didn't smile. "Then try to keep up."