Lily sat in her luxurious penthouse, staring at the list of names on her kiss list. She had a lot of time to complete the challenge, but the thought of dragging it out wasn’t appealing. She was determined to dethrone Savannah as quickly as possible, especially since she wanted to spend more time with Nico. The more she thought about him, the more she realized that she didn’t want this game to interfere with what they had.

Tyler, ever the strategist, lounged on her couch, flipping through his phone as he observed her deep in thought. “You know, if you’re really serious about speeding things up, you could always do a speed date,” he suggested, a mischievous grin on his face. “Ten minutes for each guy or girl. You’ve got charm, and if anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”

Lily raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea. “A speed date? You really think that’ll work?”

Tyler sat up, nodding confidently. “Absolutely. I’ve seen you in action, Lil. You’ve got the kind of presence that draws people in instantly. Plus, if you can knock out twelve kisses in two hours, that’s twelve more names crossed off the list in one night. Then you can focus on spending time with Nico without this hanging over your head.”

Lily considered it for a moment, her mind racing with the possibilities. She was willing to sacrifice two hours if it meant getting closer to her goal—and to Nico. “Alright, I’m in. Let’s do it.”

Tyler’s grin widened as he pulled out his phone and started making arrangements. He was the master of setting things up, and within minutes, he had lined up twelve potential dates for the evening. “I’ve picked out a good mix for you—some popular, some under the radar. All of them should be interesting enough to keep your attention for ten minutes.”

Lily nodded, trusting his judgment. “Tell me about them.”

Tyler went through the list, giving her a quick rundown of each person—what they were like, their interests, and anything else that might help her make a connection fast. By the time he was done, Lily felt prepared and more determined than ever.

The speed dating event was held at a trendy rooftop lounge, perfect for an evening under the stars. The setup was simple—small, candle-lit tables arranged in a semi-circle, with just enough privacy for quick, intimate conversations. Lily arrived fashionably late, dressed to impress in a sleek black dress that hugged her figure and commanded attention.

Her first date was with Eric, a senior on the football team, known for his easygoing nature and charming smile. As soon as she sat down, she flashed him a dazzling smile and made small talk about the latest game. It didn’t take long for her to lean in and kiss him, leaving him grinning as their ten minutes came to an end.

Next was Chloe, a bi girl from the art club who was known for her eclectic style and love of all things vintage. Lily admired Chloe’s unique sense of fashion, which sparked an easy conversation about their favorite designers. Chloe was clearly smitten with Lily’s confidence, and when the kiss happened, it was soft and sweet.

The evening continued in a similar fashion, each date blending into the next. There was Matt, the class clown who made her laugh so hard she almost forgot about the kiss—until he surprised her with one at the end. Then there was Olivia, the quiet bookworm who blushed furiously when Lily complimented her taste in literature before pulling her in for a gentle kiss.

As the night wore on, Lily’s confidence only grew. Each kiss felt like a small victory, bringing her closer to her goal. She worked through the list with ease, knowing exactly what to say and when to lean in. Tyler had been right—her charm was undeniable, and no one could resist her for long.

By the time she reached the last date, a guy named Mason who was into skateboarding and photography, Lily was practically on autopilot. She complimented his photography skills, they chatted about his latest project, and just before their ten minutes were up, she kissed him, crossing the last name off her list for the night.

Lily left the lounge feeling exhilarated and accomplished. She had managed to kiss all twelve people in just two hours, shaving a significant chunk off her list. The thrill of the challenge was still there, but it was quickly being overshadowed by the anticipation of seeing Nico again.

Tyler was waiting for her outside, leaning casually against his car with a knowing smile. “So, how’d it go?”

Lily smirked, holding up her phone where she’d marked off each name. “Twelve down, just like you said. You were right—it was easy.”

Tyler laughed, opening the car door for her. “I never doubted you for a second. Now you’ve got more time to focus on Nico—or whatever else you want.”

Lily climbed into the car, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over her. The kissing list was still far from complete, but she was well on her way. And with each name she crossed off, the closer she got to dethroning Samantha—and claiming the title of queen bee for herself.