(brylee's outfit for this part of the chapter)

(bennett's outfit for this part of the chapter) 

Brylee's ex Rhys hadn't been leaving her alone lately. Rhys was a cheater and a jerk, but he claimed Brylee was the only girl for him which she knew was a lie. She just wanted him to leave her alone. Unfortunately he wasn't doing that. The guy was persistent, so she came up with a plan to get him off her back.

Bennett was behind the counter at Topanga's, working a shift after school one day. It was a quiet afternoon and no customers had come in, until the bell jingled and a blonde girl walked through the door. Bennett raised his eyebrows slightly at seeing Brylee. It wasn't uncommon to see her at Topanga's after school, but he was confused and a bit concerned at seeing the distressed look on her face. He wasn't used to seeing her upset like this. She usually had a smile on her face.

He leans his arms against the counter. "What's up, Bry?"

She walks over and sits down at a stool, resting her arms against the counter. "Nothing new. Rhys is bothering me again."

"He hasn't given up yet?" Bennett sighed.

"He hasn't," She shakes her head and groans, leaning her head on her arms. "He's literally so annoying. Why can't he just take the hint that I'm done with him?"

"Some guys are just stupid." Bennett replies. "And I'm pretty sure that guy doesn't have a brain. He's so dumb."

"That's why we broke up," She said, her voice muffled by her arms. "I have a plan, though."

Bennett raises an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

"I was thinking about asking someone to be my fake boyfriend," She told him.

"Yeah, I didn't want to know that." Bennett remarks. "Why would you ask some random guy to be your fake boyfriend? That's a terrible idea."

"Well, I'm not going to ask a random guy. I'm asking you," She explains, lifting her head from her arms and smiling.

Bennett stares at her for a moment, then bursts into laughter. "You're real funny." Then he stops laughing after seeing the serious looks on her face. "Wait, you're serious? You're not joking, are you?"

"No, I'm not." She replied.

"But you hate me. And I hate you." He reminded her.

"Yeah, but we don't really hate each other lately right? You're actually pretty cool."

"I'm always cool." Bennett smirked.

"And now you're making me regret my decision already." Brylee remarked.

"Sorry." Bennett apologizes.

"So, will you be my fake boyfriend? I really need help with Rhys. He won't leave me alone. Please?" She asked, giving him the puppy dog eyes. She knew he couldn't say no to that and he hated it. He would do anything for her if she looked at him like that.

Bennett groans, knowing that he's about to regret this. "Fine. I'll do it. Just stop looking at me like that."

Her eyes light up as he agreed and she gets up, going around the counter and hugs him. Bennett freezes, surprised by the hug. Brylee had never hugged him before. Sure, they've become more friendly lately, but they've never hugged. He hesitantly hugged her back, wrapping his arms around her. He had to admit he didn't mind the hug. In fact, he liked it. The hug was nice and comforting, like she belonged in his arms. He couldn't believe he was thinking that. He shouldn't be thinking that. But he was.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She grinned, pulling away from the hug.

"No problem," Bennett replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He was still surprised by the hug and more surprised by the fact that he liked the hug. A lot. He shouldn't like it, though. She's his frenemy and he should not be feeling this way about her.

"So, what's our story?" She asked, getting back on the stool.

"What?" Bennett questioned, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"How did we get together?" Brylee elaborated.

"I thought we would make this up as we go," He replies, raising an eyebrow. "But I'm guessing you had other ideas in mind."

"Obviously. You think I would go into a fake relationship without a backstory?" Brylee rolled her eyes.

"Good point." He agreed.

"Okay, so, here's the story," She begins. "We've been secretly dating for a few months and we're keeping it on the down low until now because we wanted to see if it would last or not. And we weren't for sure how the others would react to us together."

"Sounds believable." Bennet admitted. "I think it'll work."

"It will. It has to." Brylee nods.

The door opens and a group of boys walk into the café, all wearing basketball uniforms. Rhys is with them, smirking at seeing his ex. He goes over to Brylee, who stiffens at seeing him and kept her gaze down. Bennett sees this and stood closer by her, putting a hand on the small of her back protectively. Rhys noticed and narrowed his eyes.

"What do you want?" Bennett asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Just here for a smoothie," Rhys replied, eyeing Brynlee.

"I'll get you your smoothie if you stop eying my girlfriend. Or better yet, why don't you just leave her alone? She's obviously not interested in you."

"Girlfriend? You're with this tool?" Rhys scoffed.

"Hey, don't call him a tool. He's actually a good guy. He's sweet and funny. He treats me better than you ever did," Brylee told him.

"So you're with him? Seriously? Whatever. You'll be back. We both know it," Rhys said, smirking. "You can't resist me."

"You're an idiot." Brylee rolled her eyes.

Rhys doesn't say anything and instead gets a smoothie and leaves, his friends following him out. Brylee lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and relaxed. Bennett rubbed her back soothingly, knowing she was probably tense and she wouldn't have admitted it, but he helped her calm down.

"Thanks." Brylee whispered, looking at him gratefully.

"No problem. It's my job to be the amazing fake boyfriend, right?" Bennett joked, grinning.

Brylee giggles. "To be fair, I did say just fake boyfriend. You added the amazing part."

"True. But I am an amazing guy. Especially if I'm a fake boyfriend." Bennett grinned at her.

Brylee laughs. "Yeah, I guess you're not that bad."

Bennett grins at her, thinking how cute her laugh was and how nice it was to hear. He also liked seeing her smile. He was going to do everything he could to keep her smiling. He liked seeing her happy and carefree. Wait, why was he thinking this? He was not supposed to be thinking this. He could not be developing feelings for his frenemy. No, no, no, no. That's not happening. He does not like her. Not at all. He definitely did not like his frenemy. Definitely not.

****

(brylee's outfit for this part of the chapter)

(bennett's outfit for this part of the chapter)

Brylee sat perched on the bleachers, her laptop resting on her thighs as she tapped away at the keyboard. The hum of basketball practice filled the air, punctuated by the rhythmic thud of sneakers against the polished court and the occasional shout from Bennett, the captain of the team. She glanced up now and then, watching him move with grace and confidence, but her mind was elsewhere. Despite finishing the first draft of her second book, the words had stopped flowing, and now she felt as though she were staring at a blank wall. Characters swirled in her mind, but they remained disconnected, refusing to come together until she found the spark of inspiration she desperately needed.

Bennett's eyes flicked towards her during a break in practice. He was fascinated by how effortlessly she seemed to work amidst the chaos; he couldn't fathom how she managed to focus in such a noisy environment. He felt distracted just watching her, yet there she was, typing away like the world around her didn't exist.

As practice came to an end, Bennett changed out of his sweaty jersey and into a fitted T-shirt that highlighted his athletic build. Slipping his bag over his shoulder, he walked towards Brylee, a mischievous smile creeping onto his face when he noticed she was still engrossed in her writing. An idea struck him—he'd sneak up on her. Silently, he approached, leaning over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of her screen before placing his hands lightly on her shoulders.

"Whatcha writing, writer girl?" He asked, his voice low and teasing.

Brylee jumps, letting out a startled shriek that echoed off the bleachers. "Oh my gosh, Ben! Don't do that!" She exclaimed, her heart racing as she spun around to glare at him, hitting his arm. 

Bennett burst into laughter, the sound warm and infectious. "You should've seen your face. Priceless." He teased, shaking his head in amusement as he settled down beside her.

"Shut up, Matthews." Brylee mumbled, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

"So, how's the book coming along?" He asked, tilting his head curiously, his playful demeanor softening into genuine interest.

"Eh, could be better." She shrugged, closing her laptop with a sigh and setting it aside, the weight of her creative block heavy on her shoulders.

"Well, I'm sure your amazing and hot boyfriend can help you." Bennett said, smirking as he leaned back.

"Fake boyfriend," Brylee reminds him, rolling her eyes. "And you're not hot. You're annoying, arrogant, self centered, and—" She rambled, ticking off the list on her fingers.

Bennett chuckles, a familiar twinkle in his eyes. "You forgot sexy, charming, and irresistible."

"Those are on the list of things that you're not." She smirks, crossing her arms defiantly. "Honestly, if I didn't know you better, I'd think you were full of yourself."

Bennett raises an eyebrow, feigning shock. "Full of myself? Me? Never! I'm just confident in my undeniable hotness." He leaned back on the bleachers, stretching his arms above his head in a mock display of bravado.

Brylee snorts, shaking her head. "Confidence is one thing, arrogance is another." She countered, poking him playfully. She nudged him with her shoulder, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Touché, writer girl," He said, laughing as he nudged her back. "But seriously, I know you're stuck, and it's driving you crazy. How about I help? I can be your muse—whether you like it or not."

Brylee raises an eyebrow, skepticism evident in her expression. "You think you can inspire me? Last time I checked, you were more of a distraction than anything."

"Exactly! Distractions can lead to breakthroughs," Bennett argues leaning closer with a playful grin. "Let's brainstorm some ideas. You've got your characters swirling around in that head of yours, right? What if we threw some chaos into their lives? Maybe a surprise plot twist?"

Brylee considered this, her curiosity piqued as her mind began to spin out a web of possibilities. Perhaps a distraction was just what she needed. "Alright, Mr. Muse," She said, sitting up and opening her laptop again. "I'm listening. Let's see what you've got."

The next hour was spent tossing ideas back and forth, Brylee typing furiously as she jotted down notes. Bennett was a surprisingly good sounding board, and his quick wit and sharp observations were helpful in shaping the story. By the time they were finished, Brylee was buzzing with excitement, her creative block having been shattered by Bennett's enthusiasm and playful energy.

As they wrapped up their brainstorming session, Brylee looks at Bennett with a newfound appreciation. "I can't believe how much I got done 'cause you had some good ideas for once."

"Okay, ow," Bennett feigns offense, placing a hand over his heart. "I'm wounded. Here I am, doing you a favor, and you repay me with insults? So rude."

Brylee laughs, nudging him again. "Fine, fine. I'll admit, you weren't completely useless. You helped a bit. Happy now?"

Bennett grins, the cocky attitude returning. "That's all I ask for. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get home and shower. I'm a sweaty mess, and I can't have my adoring public seeing me like this." He teasingly replied, running a hand through his damp hair in a dramatic fashion.

Brylee rolls her eyes again, but she couldn't hide her smile. "God forbid the great Bennett Matthews not look perfect." She teased back, closing her laptop and packing up her belongings.

"Hey, you can't blame me for wanting to look my best," Bennett shrugs, slinging his bag over his shoulder and standing up. "Especially when I'm spending time with my favorite fake girlfriend. Speaking of which, we should go on a fake date. You know, to keep up appearances."

Brylee raises an eyebrow as she stands, slipping her bag over her shoulder. "Fake date?" She repeated, curiosity and amusement in her voice.

"Yeah," He said, nodding his head. "We could go see a movie, grab some dinner...you know, all the usual date stuff. Just to make sure we're really selling the relationship. What do you say?"

She paused, considering the offer. Part of her was skeptical and didn't want to, but a larger part of her was intrigued. "Okay, I'm in," She said, deciding to go with her gut instinct. "When and where?"

"Friday night at seven. Pick you up at your place," He said, his tone confident. "Wear something cute." He added teasingly, dodging the playful punch she threw at him.

"I'm always cute." She huffs, a slight flush creeping up her cheeks. "But okay, see you Friday. Go shower, stinky." She waved him off, trying to suppress a grin.

"Right, right, I'm off to save my reputation," Bennett comments, dramatically turning on his heel and walking backward for a few steps. "See you later, Brylee!"

As he made his way down the bleachers, Brylee couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nervousness at the thought of their 'fake date' She shook her head, half-amused and half-annoyed by how easily he could get under her skin.

After he disappeared around the corner, Brylee gathered up her things and made her way out of the gym. Her mind was spinning with possibilities, and the words flowed easily as she headed home. For the first time in a while, she felt inspired, and she had Bennett to thank for that. Maybe there was more to him than just the cocky exterior he often put on.

As she walked, Brylee considered how different things might be on their fake date. Sure, it was all for appearances, but part of her couldn't help but wonder if it would feel different in practice. Would there be the awkwardness of pretending to be a couple? Or would they just fall into their usual playful banter? She couldn't deny the thrill of anticipation—maybe this was a chance to see a side of Bennett that she hadn't seen yet.

****

On Friday night, Brylee was staring at herself in her full length mirror that night for the fourth time that night. She couldn't figure out what to wear. It was just a fake date. She was only going because she had to prove her and Bennett were the real deal and not just faking it. But for some reason, she was nervous. She had no idea why she was so nervous, but she was. It was a fake date. A fake date that her fake boyfriend was taking her on. It's not like she liked him. She couldn't like him. Well, maybe she did. She somewhat liked him as a friend, but maybe she did like him a little more than a friend. Maybe. But no. No, no, no. She was not going there.

"Who's so important that you had to change different outfits in the past hour?"

Brylee jumps, startled by her sister's sudden voice. She looks over at the door to see Maya leaning against the doorframe with a grin. "Nobody." Brylee shot back, attempting to sound indifferent as she returned her attention to the mirror.

"Oh, please. You're wearing a dress! The last time I saw you in a dress was when you went on that cringy date with Rhys. So, spill it. Who's this special someone?" Maya stepped further into the room, her curiosity piqued.

 Brylee groans, knowing she wouldn't escape this easily. "It's no one."

"Uh-huh. Sure it isn't. Come on, you can't keep secrets from your sister. Just tell me!" Maya pressed, crossing her arms with a playful smirk.

"If I tell you, will you leave me alone?" Brylee asked, her voice laced with resignation as she turned back to face her sister, knowing she was outmatched.

"Depends." Maya replied, her grin widening.

"Ugh, fine. It's just a guy I'm fake dating. Happy now?" Brylee relented, her cheeks warming slightly.

"Wait, what?" Maya's eyes went wide with disbelief. "Why are you fake dating a guy? Why didn't you tell me sooner? What's his name?"

"Because I knew you'd freak out. It's just a friend. We're fake dating to get this guy off my back. It's Bennett, Okay? That's all there is to it. There's nothing more," Brylee explained, trying to keep her voice steady. She was trying not to show any emotions, especially her nervousness.

"Bennett? Bennett Matthews? The Bennett who you hated since we were kids? That Bennett?" Maya inquired, staring at Brylee with surprise as she tried to wrap her mind around this. 

Brylee rolls her eyes. "What, do you know any other Bennett?"

"Nope. But you and Bennett? Fake dating?" Maya's incredulity was palpable, as if she couldn't quite grasp the absurdity of the situation.

"Look, he's just helping me out to get Rhys to leave me alone. I figured maybe me pretending to have a boyfriend would make him get the hint I don't want him and he would leave me alone. That's all this is. Just helping each other. Nothing else. Just friends." Brylee replied.

"Uh huh. Yeah, I'm sure that's all it is." Maya smiled, not believing her sister.

"Seriously! That's all it is. Why are you being so suspicious?" Brylee challenged, furrowing her brows in irritation.

"I'm not suspicious. I just know my sister. You like him. I can see it. You have a crush on him." Maya grinned.

"I do not have a crush on him!" Brylee protests, though the words came out with less conviction than she'd hoped. "I don't like him. You know this." 

"Hmm, if you didn't like him, then why are you blushing?" Maya questioned teasingly.

Brylee felt her cheeks flush, a telltale sign that her sister was right. "Get out." She ordered, frustration mingling with embarrassment as she gave Maya a gentle shove toward the door.

"You're blushing and you're not saying no! You like him, I knew it!" Maya exclaimed in amusement as Brylee pushed her out of the room.

With a soft thud, Brylee closed the door behind her sister, leaning against it with a sigh. She turned back to the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with uncertainty. Deep down, she hated that Maya was right. The fluttering sensation in her stomach and the warmth in her cheeks confirmed it—she was starting to develop a crush on Bennett, and that realization was far more dangerous than she cared to admit.

****

(brylee's outfit for this part of the chapter)

(bennett's outfit for this part of the chapter)

Soon it's time for the fake date. Brylee left the apartment building, raising her eyebrows at seeing Bennett leaning up against his car, grinning at her. He looked handsome as always. She good he looked. Bennett stood there, effortlessly cool. He leaned casually against the car, his grin widening as he watched Brylee approach. His effortless confidence and laid-back style only made him more attractive, which Brylee found deeply annoying. She hated how her heart sped up at the sight of him, even though this was supposed to be a fake date. It was just Bennett, the guy who constantly got under her skin.

He up and down, his grin never faltering. "You look hot." He complimented, his voice dripping with that familiar playful tone that always made Brylee's skin tingle with a mix of irritation and something else she refused to acknowledge.

He turns to open the passenger door for her, flashing a grin that made her stomach flip. "Get in, gorgeous."

With a reluctant sigh and ignoring the butterflies that suddenly swarmed in her stomach, Brylee climbed into the car, her heart pounding more than she'd like to admit. As Bennett started the engine, she tried to shake off the strange mix of excitement and anxiety swirling within her.

"So, where are we headed?" Brylee asked, trying to keep her tone light.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." Bennett smirked, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking lot.

"This isn't the part where you take me out in the woods and kill me is it?" Brylee joked.

"Why do you think I got a shovel back there?" Bennett grins, joking along with her. Brylee knew he was joking, but she had to look just to make sure which made Bennett laugh. "Just kidding."

"Jerk." Brylee punched him in the arm playfully.

"You know you love me." Bennett smirked.

"Love you? Please, I can hardly tolerate you most days." Brylee rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Bennett replies, chuckling as he shifted gears. "But we both know you're secretly my biggest fan."

Brylee groans, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm not a fan of anything you do, Matthews. You're just a necessary evil in this whole fake dating situation."

"Oh, necessary evil? That's quite the compliment," He said, feigning offense. "You wound me, Hart."

"Good." She shot back, leaning against the window and watching the scenery fly by. The city lights began to twinkle as they drove further away from her apartment, and an unexplainable excitement bubbled within her.

The ride to wherever Bennett was taking her was quiet besides the music playing and Brylee occasionally singing, sometimes getting Bennett to join in on singing as well. It was surprisingly not awkward. While she was still often annoyed by Bennett's teasing and arrogance, she couldn't deny that the atmosphere was surprisingly fun. The mix of their banter and the upbeat music made the drive feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

As they sped down the highway, Brylee felt a strange sense of comfort settle in. "You know," She said, glancing over at Bennett, who was currently belting out a pop song with a comically exaggerated passion. "I didn't think you could be this entertaining."

Bennett shot her a cheeky smile, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "I'll take that as a compliment. It's not easy being this fabulous."

"Fabulous, huh?" Brylee raised an eyebrow and she chuckles. "More like obnoxious."

"Obnoxiously fabulous." He corrects with a wink, turning the volume up. "It's a talent."

Brylee shakes her head, unable to suppress her laughter and she rolls her eyes but couldn't help but smile at his antics. "You're impossible."

"Impossible to resist." Bennett shot back, sending another round of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

Bennett soon pulls into a parking lot and turns the engine off. Brylee looks out the window and her eyes lit up. "We're going ice skating?" 

She loved ice skating; it was one of her favorite winter activities. The rink was beautifully illuminated, with twinkling lights strung around the edges, casting a warm glow on the ice. Families and couples glided around, laughter and music filling the air. Bennett tried to ignore the sudden butterflies fluttering in his stomach at the sight of Brylee's eyes lighting up, looking even more beautiful than ever. Especially with the warm, soft light from the lights reflecting off her features, making her look like a living angel. He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away and remind himself that this is the annoying girl he's had a rivalry with for years, not a cute, amazing girl that he was on a fake date with. But when she turned and looked at him, her face beaming at him, Bennett felt his heart skip a beat. She was genuinely excited, and it made something warm and fuzzy stir in his chest.

"Let's go!" Brylee exclaimed, unbuckling her seatbelt and practically bouncing out of the car. Bennett followed, a smile creeping onto his face as he watched her enthusiasm.

After getting their skates on, Bennett got on the ice first, easily gliding across the frozen surface, a smug smirk on his face. He turns, skating backward to face Brylee, who was holding onto the railing. "Come on, scared?" He taunted, though his voice was laced with affection, making Brylee roll her eyes.

She hesitantly stepped out onto the ice, shakily grasping the railing for support as she struggled to keep her balance. Her knees buckled and she let out a small yelp, quickly gripping the railing for dear life. "Maybe." She admitted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Her pride stung from Bennett's taunting, and she wanted to wipe that smug smirk off his face. With newfound determination, she pushed herself away from the railing, determined to show Bennett that she wasn't a scaredy-cat. She wanted to learn how to ice skate, she was just a bit clumsy. She'd been doing it before, and she could do it again. She didn't need Bennett's help. She didn't want him to see her weak. She wasn't a damsel in distress, and she didn't need a knight in shining armor.

Bennett couldn't hide the fondness that crept into his eyes, watching her stumble on the ice, but she was clearly trying her best. She looked adorable with her face scrunched up in concentration and determination, and her cheeks flushed with color. His heart swelled at the sight. He was about to offer her his hand when she suddenly let go of the railing, wobbling as she attempted to skate toward him. His lips curved into a smile and he extended his hand. "Want me to help you out, babe?" He teased, but there was no malice in his voice. Just pure amusement. She looked like a baby deer taking its first steps, and it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

Brylee hesitated, biting her lip. Her stubborn pride flared up again, but she pushed it down. She wanted to learn to skate, and Bennett was offering to help her. Maybe or he was just going to make fun of her, but she figured it was worth a shot. She slowly took his hand, her heart rate picking up when his warm, calloused fingers wrapped around hers. Bennett grinned, gently pulling her toward him. She gripped his hand tightly, and her other hand clutched his bicep for extra support. His arm was warm and solid under her fingertips, and she could feel the firm muscles beneath his jacket.

She swallowed, trying to focus on the task at hand and not on how close they were. She held onto him as he guided her around the ice, his movements smooth and effortless. He was clearly a natural, his feet gliding across the ice effortlessly. Brylee, on the other hand, was a complete disaster. She kept stumbling and almost falling, but Bennett was always there to catch her. She hated feeling so helpless, but Bennett was patient and encouraging, helping her steady herself. He did tease her a bit like she expected, but his words lacked their usual bite, and he was surprisingly gentle with her. His voice was warm and encouraging, and he never let go of her hand, keeping her grounded. His touch was soft and comforting, and his smile was brighter than the twinkling lights. It was strange, seeing a side of him that wasn't annoying or frustrating. He was actually sweet, and it made her heart flutter in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant.

"Okay, you think you can try without holding onto me?" He asked, smiling encouragingly.

She nodded, reluctantly letting go of his hand and arm. She took a deep breath, slowly pushing forward. She stumbled a bit, but Bennett was right behind her, his hands hovering just above her arms, ready to catch her. But he didn't help her yet, giving her the space to try on her own. She slowly got the hang of it, a smile growing on her face as she managed to skate without falling. She was far from graceful, but she was doing it. "I'm doing it!" She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Bennett smiled, a proud warmth spreading through his chest. He didn't expect the feeling, and his heart skipped a beat. He brushed it off, telling himself that it was just because Brylee had finally managed to skate on her own. He wasn't used to this warm, fuzzy feeling, and he didn't know how to deal with it. He was usually the cocky, flirty one, and now he felt like a blushing schoolgirl. It's a good thing Brylee didn't notice. Or if she did that she didn't comment on it.

Brylee was beaming, and she couldn't stop smiling. She was still a bit shaky, but she was getting the hang of it. It was exhilarating, the cool breeze blowing in her hair as she glided across the ice, the music filling the air. And Bennett's presence was warm and comforting, a constant support beside her. It was a stark contrast to the competitive tension that usually hung between them. But here, they were just two people enjoying each other's company. For a moment, the rivalry melted away, and it was just two people having fun. She'd never admit it, but it was the most fun she'd had in a while.

As she skated, she realized she didn't know how to stop. "Wait, how do I-" A yelp left her lips, followed by a grunt from Bennett when she accidentally crashed into him. Her arms instinctively wrapped around him to prevent herself from falling. Though they both end up falling on the ice, with her on top of him. They were in a compromising position, and her cheeks flushed, realizing their bodies were pressed flush together, and her face was inches away from his. Her heart hammered in her chest, and his hands were resting on her hips. She was hyper-aware of every point of contact between them, the warmth of his body seeping through her clothes. The feeling of his hard, toned chest under her palms and the way his breathing quickened sent a thrill through her.

"Sorry, didn't mean to do that." She muttered, quickly pushing herself up. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. His hands were still on her hips, and she could feel his breath tickling her skin. Her pulse raced, and her mind was a mess. Her skin tingled where his hands were, and she desperately wanted him to pull her closer. But she reluctantly stood up, wobbly a little as she did.

Bennett couldn't help but chuckle, standing up and brushing himself off. "Guess I should've taught you how to stop too, huh?" He quipped, but his voice was uncharacteristically gentle.

Brylee playfully slapped him on the arm, trying to hide the embarrassment written all over her face. "Yeah, you should have," She retorted, but her voice lacked its usual bite. Her cheeks were still flushed pink, and she couldn't meet his eyes. "Now I have a bruise." She joked, trying to break the tension.

Bennett smirks, the familiar mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Maybe I can kiss it better." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Brylee rolls her eyes, the tension lifting slightly. She knew he was only teasing, but her heart still skipped a beat. "In your dreams, Matthews." She shot back, shaking her head in mock exasperation. But her lips were curved into a smile, and the butterflies returned in full force.

"Every night, baby." He grins, his tone playful but there was a hint of sincerity in his voice. He reaches out his hand again. "Come on, let's try again. This time I'll teach you how to stop."

She took his hand, her heart fluttering. She tried to ignore the spark that shot through her when his fingers wrapped around hers. He helped her stand up and taught her how to stop, his hands lingering on her a little longer than necessary. He was still his usual flirty, teasing self, but there was something softer and gentler about him, a side that Brylee hadn't seen before. And despite their constant bickering, there was an undeniable chemistry between them. Maybe it was the romantic atmosphere, or the adrenaline from skating, but something was definitely different.

When they were done with skating, they were exhausted but happy. They're now sitting on a bench, undoing the skates. Bennett changes his shoes first, standing up with a small smile. "I'm gonna go get us some hot cocoa, I'll be right back." Brylee nodded, smiling a little as she finished taking the skates off and then putting her shoes on. They had planned on getting some before they left the skating rink, and now was a good time to get them.

"Brylee?"

Her heart sank when she heard the familiar voice. Of course he showed up when Bennett was gone. Her ex, Rhys, stood a few feet away from her. He looked exactly the same as she remembered—tall, confident, and with that charming smile that once made her heart race. But now, all she felt was a wave of irritation and discomfort. Rhys was the last person she wanted to see, especially tonight, with Bennett just a short distance away.

"Rhys, what are you doing here?" Brylee asked, her voice steady but her nerves on edge. She quickly finished lacing up her shoes, hoping Bennett would come back soon.

"I was just in the area and thought I saw you," Rhys said, stepping closer. His eyes scanned her, and the familiar smirk crossed his lips. "Didn't expect to see you here. With Matthews, of all people."

Brylee resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was in no mood to deal with Rhys's antics, but she couldn't let him see that he was getting under her skin. "Well, we're on a date. That's what couples do." She said, her voice icy and sharp. She didn't owe him an explanation, and she didn't have to justify her relationship to him. "Now, if you'll excuse me," She starts, picking up her ice skates to go put them back. "I need to get back to my boyfriend."

Rhys Rhys raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his face. "Boyfriend? Really?" He sounded skeptical, his eyes briefly flicking toward where Bennett had gone. "I didn't think you and Matthews were... serious."

Brylee clenched her jaw, refusing to let his comment get to her. "That's none of your business, Rhys." She turned to walk away, but he reached out and gently grabbed her arm. It wasn't aggressive, but the contact still made her tense.

"Come on, Brylee," He said smoothly, his voice laced with the same charm that used to work on her. "We had something good once. You're really telling me you're over it?"

Brylee pulled her arm away, glaring at him. "Yes, Rhys, 'm over it. You should be too." Her voice was steady, but the knot in her stomach tightened. She wasn't afraid of him, but his presence brought back memories she'd rather forget. He cheated on her, and even though he apologized and swore he'd change, it was too late. Their relationship was beyond repair, and he couldn't fix things with sweet words and empty promises.

"But—" Rhys began, but he was cut off by a familiar voice.

"Hey babe," Bennett's voice cuts in, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Hot cocoa's ready."

Rhys turns to look at Bennett, who's carrying two steaming cups of cocoa. His eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. But he quickly plastered a fake smile on his face, clearly not expecting to see Bennett there. "Hey, Matthews." He greeted, his voice lacking the usual cockiness.

"Rhys." Bennett's voice is cold, and Brylee could sense the tension between them. She had told Bennett everything about her relationship with Rhys, and he wasn't fond of the guy. But they'd been civil for Brylee's sake. Until now. He handed Brylee her cup of cocoa, his arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her close. "Everything okay here?" He asked, his eyes fixed on Rhys.

"Just catching up," Rhys said, the fake smile still plastered on his face. "I didn't realize you two were a thing now."

Brylee takes a sip of the cocoa, grateful for Bennett's presence. She could feel the tension in the air, but she wasn't about to let Rhys get under her skin. "Yeah, we are," She said firmly, leaning into Bennett's side for emphasis. "So if you'll excuse us, we have a date to get back to."

Bennett's arm tightens slightly around her, and Brylee could feel the protective energy radiating from him. "You heard her," He said, his voice low but firm, his eyes never leaving Rhys. "Move along."

Annoyance flashes across Rhys's face, but he quickly masks it. He looks between the two of them, letting out a sigh. "Fine, I'll go." He said, putting his hands up in defeat. "But you know, Bry, if it doesn't work out with him..." He smirks, glancing at Bennett. "Give me a call."

Brylee glared, opening her mouth to snap back, but Bennett beats her to it. "Get lost, man," His voice is hard, and his grip on her waist tightens. "You had your chance, and you blew it."

Rhys scowls, his eyes narrowing at Bennett. "Whatever," He mutters, turning around and walking away. "See ya."

Once he's out of sight, Brylee lets out a breath of relief, leaning against Bennett's chest. His arm is still around her, and she can feel his heart pounding. Or maybe that's her heart.

"What a jerk," Bennett mutters, anger evident in his voice. "You okay?" He asks softly, concern creeping into his voice. "Well, clearly not 'cause you had a run in with your cheating ex."

Brylee takes another sip of the cocoa, her head resting against Bennett's shoulder. The warmth of his body and the rich chocolatey flavor comforted her, and she was grateful for his presence. "I'm okay." She replied, her voice a little shaky. She was touched by his concern, and she hated to admit that Rhys had gotten to her. But the whole ordeal had her rattled. "I'm glad you came when you did, though. Thanks."

Bennett nods, his expression softening. He could tell she was shaken up, and he didn't like seeing her upset. Especially not after having a great night. He pulls her close, surprising her when he kissed the top of her head. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, her heart fluttering. "Of course," He said softly, his arm still around her. "Come on, let's get out of here."

They're quiet as they walked back to the car, a comfortable silence settling between them as they sip their hot cocoa and walk back to the car. Once they're back in the car, the silence breaks. "I'm sorry about what happened back there," Bennett said, starting the car. He sounded sincere, and his voice was unusually soft. "I hate that you had to deal with him again. You have no idea how much I wanted to punch him." He clenched his jaw, frustration evident on his face.

Brylee glanced over at him, feeling a mix of appreciation and warmth. "I know," she replied quietly, her fingers curling around the warm cup. "But I appreciate you being there for me. I really do."

Bennett's expression softened further as he focused on the road. "You shouldn't have to deal with that jerk. You deserve better than him, Bry."

She smiled at his words, feeling a rush of gratitude. "I think I finally understand that," she said, taking a deep breath. The memory of Rhys's smirk faded as she shifted her focus back to Bennett. "It's just... sometimes I can't help but think about what we had, you know? Even if it was a mess."

Bennett glanced over at her, his eyes briefly meeting hers. He didn't say anything, his eyes darting back to the road. But he reached out, gently taking her hand in his. The gesture surprised her, but his touch was warm and comforting. She laced their fingers together, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand. She couldn't help but notice how his hand seemed to fit perfectly in hers. She didn't know if she was imagining things, but his grip seemed to tighten a little as if he didn't want to let go.

He didn't let go until he pulled into her driveway, reluctantly breaking the contact as he shifted the car into park. The air seemed thicker as she opened the car door, and her heart fluttered. She didn't know what to make of their newfound closeness. She wasn't sure what had changed between them, but it was clear that something had. Maybe it was the skating date or the encounter with Rhys. But things felt different, and she didn't know if she was ready to explore those feelings yet.

"Thank you for tonight," She said, looking at him with a small smile. "I have to admit this was the best fake date I've been on."

Bennett smirks, the cocky demeanor returning. "It was, wasn't it?" He comments, but his eyes were soft. He leaned over, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Her breath caught, her heart hammering in her chest. The feeling of his lips on her skin sent a thrill through her, and she didn't want him to pull away. But all too soon, he pulls away, the mischievous glint in his eyes. "Goodnight, Brylee. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight." Brylee muttered, trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She quickly got out of the car and hurried inside, her mind replaying the moment. She was still rattled from the encounter with Rhys, but Bennett had a way of making her forget about her troubles. And despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She mentally scolded herself for still thinking about him as she closed the door, but the ghost of his touch still lingered on her skin. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that he was just her fake boyfriend. And that he was her frenemy. But something had shifted, and she wasn't sure how to deal with it.

Maybe this fake dating thing wouldn't be so bad after all.

A/N ooh brylee & bennett are starting to fall for each other maybe?? they're so cute !