My Date Won't Follow the Script

Clara has three hours, an emerald dress, and a hired date handsome enough to make her ex regret every word of his breakup text. All Julian has to do is follow the script: look smitten, brag a little, and help her survive the toast. Instead, he returns her payment. Refuses to boast. And keeps offering kindness when she explicitly ordered arrogance. With her ex's friends watching, Clara doubles down on the performance. But Julian's quiet tenderness is getting past defenses she paid him to protect—and making her carefully rehearsed comeback feel painfully hollow. The champagne glasses are rising. Clara still wants to prove she's moved on. So why does she suddenly want the evening to end with Julian?