Lily found herself thinking about Nico more than she expected. Despite her initial plan to work through the kissing list with ruthless efficiency, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something special about him. He was different from the other guys—creative, mysterious, and genuinely kind. So, she decided that whenever she had time to spare, she’d spend it with him. But for now, the mission to dethrone Samantha was still her top priority.

Tyler was over at her place, lounging on the couch as they flipped through the printed photos of potential targets. Lily’s eyes landed on a pair of identical twins—Jake and Ryan. They were both undeniably attractive, with sharp features and matching smirks that hinted at mischief.

“What about these two?” Lily asked, pointing to their photos.

Tyler chuckled, nodding approvingly. “Good choice. Jake and Ryan are known for their... unconventional dating habits. They usually go on dates together and sometimes even do threesomes. If you manage to kiss them both, that’s two more names crossed off your list in one go. Killing two birds with one stone.”

Lily smirked, her interest piqued. “Sounds like fun. Let’s set it up.”

Tyler, always resourceful, helped arrange a casual date with the twins. They met up at a trendy café downtown, where Jake and Ryan were already waiting, looking effortlessly cool in their matching outfits. Lily had to admit, they were charming in that smooth, almost practiced way that only people who had spent their entire lives together could pull off.

The date was easy and light, filled with playful banter and flirtatious smiles. The twins had a natural chemistry, not just with each other but also with her. It wasn’t long before they suggested heading out to a more private spot—a quiet park nearby, where they could talk without the noise of the city around them.

As they walked through the park, Jake leaned in closer to Lily, his voice low. “So, Lily, are you having a good time?”

Lily glanced at him with a teasing smile. “I am. You two make quite the pair.”

Ryan grinned, stepping up on her other side. “We aim to please.”

The moment felt right, so Lily didn’t hesitate. She stopped walking and turned to face them both, a playful glint in her eyes. “Well, I’m all about making the most of my time. So, why don’t we make this date a little more memorable?”

Without giving them a chance to respond, she leaned in and kissed Jake first, his lips soft and inviting. The kiss was brief but electrifying. She pulled back just enough to see his surprised but pleased expression before turning to Ryan and doing the same. The twins exchanged a look, both clearly impressed by her boldness.

“Well,” Jake said, his voice slightly breathless, “that was... unexpected.”

Ryan nodded in agreement, his usual cocky demeanor faltering just a bit. “Yeah, in a good way.”

Lily just smiled, satisfied. “Glad I could surprise you. But I’ve got to run—I have some other plans tonight.”

They didn’t try to stop her, though she could tell they were both intrigued by her mysteriousness. She knew they would be talking about her long after she was gone, but she didn’t mind. She had what she needed.

After leaving the park, Lily made her way to Nico’s workshop. She was eager to see him again, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. As she entered the familiar space, the smell of paint and the sight of Nico working diligently brought a sense of calm over her.

“Hey, missed me?” she asked playfully as she approached him.

Nico looked up from his latest piece, a soft smile spreading across his face when he saw her. “Yeah, I did. I was worried this was going to turn into a one-time thing.”

Lily’s heart warmed at his words. She walked over and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Nope, not a chance. I’m not done with you yet.”

Nico relaxed into her embrace, his hands pausing in their work. “Good. Because I’m not done with you either.”

Lily kissed his cheek, feeling a strange mix of contentment and longing. Being around Nico felt different from the game she was playing with everyone else. With him, there was no strategy, no list to check off—just genuine connection.

They spent the rest of the evening together, talking and laughing as Nico continued his painting. He told her about his latest projects, the murals he wanted to create, and the art shows he dreamed of one day being a part of. Lily found herself more interested in his world than she’d expected, his passion for art contagious.

When it was time to leave, Nico walked her to the door, his hand lingering on hers. “Thanks for tonight,” he said softly.

Lily looked up at him, her expression serious for a moment. “No, thank you. For being... you.”

She kissed him goodbye, this time savoring the moment, and left the workshop feeling a strange sense of peace. As she walked home, her mind was already spinning with thoughts of her next move, but a part of her kept drifting back to Nico, wondering what it would be like to let someone in for real, beyond the games and the challenges.

But for now, she had a mission, and Samantha wasn’t going to dethrone herself.