SEVENTEEN

"When I saw you on those blogs with Alexander, I knew I had to style you," Mario gushes, his energy as bright as the room's lighting. Cara's not sure if it's the compliments or Mario's enthusiasm, but she's starting to feel like she's floating.

She grins. She loves him already.

"Before we start, let's take a picture." He tosses his phone to Xavier, who catches it with a quick reflex.

"Watch the face!" Xavier yells, half-joking, half-serious. Cara moves to Mario, who's wrapped in a dramatic red kimono, and throws an arm around his shoulders, planting a kiss on his cheek as Xavier snaps the photo.

Xavier tosses the phone back to Mario, who nearly fumbles it. "Perfect!" Mario beams as he examines the picture. "What's your Instagram handle?"

Cara tells him, and as she does, it hits her again—she's now got over 500k followers on Twitter and 1.2 million on Instagram. It's wild, surreal even. But that's the price of being Alexander Black's pretend girlfriend.

"My assistant will be here soon with some of my creations, and you can pick what you like," Mario says, brimming with excitement.

Cara hears footsteps and turns to see Cassie standing at the door, frozen as she spots Xavier munching on an apple. Cassie looks like she's seen a celebrity, which, to be fair, she has.

"Well, that escalated quickly," Cara thinks, hiding her grin. She may or may not be trying to play matchmaker here.

"That's Xavier Black," Cassie gushes, completely starstruck, which is more than a little embarrassing.

"Told you I was popular," Xavier says with a wink, sauntering over to the girl at the door, his charm turned up to eleven. He extends his hand. "And you are?"

"C-Cassie F-Fisher," she stammers, clearly flustered.

"My best friend," Cara chimes in, trying to rescue her friend from melting into the floor. "And can you two move away from the door? Someone needs to come in."

They step aside as Mario's assistant rolls in a rack of clothes.

"Great, my assistant's here," Mario claps his hands dramatically. "Let's get started!"

~~~

"What do you think?" Cara steps out of the dressing room, her baby bump discreetly hidden by an off-the-shoulder red dress.

"It's cute," Xavier says, not really paying attention.

"Nah, not you," Cassie says, scrunching her nose. Cara nods in agreement—cute isn't the vibe she's going for. She's aiming for knockout.

She goes back to the rack and pulls out a white silk dress, tight and curve-hugging. "I'm trying this on," she says, heading back to the dressing room.

Just as she starts changing, she hears Xander's voice outside.

"Where is she?" Xander asks.

"In there," Xavier replies.

Wait, he's not going to—Cara scrambles for her bra, but it's too late. The door swings open, and she barely grabs her red dress to cover herself.

"Ever heard of knocking?" she snaps, glaring at him.

Xander doesn't even flinch. "We're leaving by nine," he says, then turns and walks out, shutting the door behind him.

Cara throws on the white dress in record time, fuming. Xavier and Cassie are going to pay for this.

"How could you let him in? I was naked!" she yells as she storms out.

Mario looks at her like she's lost her mind. "Relax, it's not like he hasn't seen you naked before," Xavier says, unfazed.

Cara grabs a pillow and hurls it at him, but he dodges it with a laugh.

"At least we know what you're wearing tonight," Cassie says, nodding at the dress.

Cara glances in the mirror, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "Now this is hot."

~~~

After what feels like hours of torture—makeup, hair, styling—Cara is finally ready. Mario, Cassie, and Xavier insist on her making a grand entrance, so they head downstairs ahead of her.

"Stay here," Xavier tells his twin, positioning him in front of the stairs.

"Why?" Xander asks, looking at the trio like they're up to something, which they absolutely are.

"Just stay and say something nice," Xavier says, joining Mario and Cassie, who are practically bouncing with excitement. Cara rolls her eyes, overhearing the whole thing.

This isn't a movie, but they sure are acting like it.

Cara clears her throat as she starts her descent, trying to avoid Xander's gaze. Xavier and Cassie are being ridiculous, snapping pictures like they're the paparazzi.

Xander's eyes lock onto her, and for a moment, he's speechless. He's always thought Cara was beautiful, but tonight she's on another level. It's like she's stolen all the air from the room.

Before he can get a grip on himself, she's standing right in front of him, making it impossible not to stare.

Cara's heart is pounding so hard she's sure he can hear it.

"You look ravishing," a voice comes from behind Xander just as he's about to speak. Jonathan strolls by, completely killing the moment.

Xander snaps out of his daze, clearing his throat. "We should get going. We're already late." He looks away, all business again.

Cara can't believe her ears. Not even a compliment? She thought he was starting to be less of a jerk, but apparently, he just can't help himself.

"Wait for pictures," Xavier calls out, holding up his phone.

"I don't do pictures," Xander dismisses.

"Just one," Xavier insists, pulling them together for a quick shot.

"Okay, let's go," Xander says, already moving towards the door.

"Have fun!" Cassie calls after them.

"Oh, I will," Cara mutters under her breath.

~~~

Xander opens the door, and they're immediately hit with a wall of flashing lights and shouting photographers. Cara smiles, blinking against the brightness as she steps out. Xander wraps an arm around her waist, and they walk side by side, ignoring the paparazzi's questions.

Inside, the grand hall is filled with chandeliers and buzzing whispers. Cara can feel all eyes on them—after all, it's usually Xander and Liza who attend these events together.

"Sir, Madam, let me show you to your table," an usher says, leading them through the crowd.

"Thank you," Cara replies, scanning the room for Liza.

~~~

They've been sitting quietly for a while, Xander sneaking glances at Cara while she scrolls through her phone. She's waiting for Liza, and it seems like the drama queen is taking her time. A smile breaks across Cara's face as she scrolls through Instagram. Xavier's posted the picture of her and Xander, captioned, "Name a better couple."

Cara chuckles, typing back, "Xavier and his pizza," and hitting post. She looks up just in time to see Liza make her grand entrance.

Liza is dressed to kill in a red ball gown with a slit that screams for attention. The room practically stops to watch her. She's got everyone's eyes on her, which seems to be exactly what she wants.

Cara notices Xander's reaction—his fists clench, his jaw tightens. He's trying to stay calm, but it's clear Liza's presence is getting under his skin.

Before the tension can build too much, Liza approaches their table, throwing them a fake smile.

"I'm so glad you both could make it," Liza says, her eyes locked on Xander.

Cara quickly wraps an arm around Xander's, leaning in closer. "Anything for the kids, right?" she says, smiling sweetly.

Liza's smile falters for just a second before she recovers. "Yeah. Anything for the kids," she echoes, her tone dripping with forced cheer.

"Mind if we join you?" Liza asks, clearly not taking no for an answer.

Cara's about to tell her to back off, but she notices Xander glaring at Liza's date, Mark. There's history there, and Cara's curiosity is piqued.

"Sure, have a seat," Cara says, removing her arm from Xander's.

As they sit, Mark introduces himself. "I'm Mark," he says, extending a hand.

"Cara," she replies, waving instead of shaking his hand. If Xander has a problem with him, so does she.

Xander signals a waiter and orders two drinks, downing them quickly. It's going to be a long night.

~~~

The auction drags on, and Cara is bored out of her mind. This isn't how she planned the evening, and Xander isn't helping, having practically emptied the bar. Liza keeps trying to make conversation with Xander, but he's barely responding, only speaking when Cara does. From what Cara's gathered, Mark is Liza's manager and was once Xander's friend. Looks like Xander lost both the girl and his friend in the breakup. And Cara definitely doesn't like Mark's vibe—he's giving off a bit too much flirtation for her liking.

"The final item up for auction is this emerald necklace. Bidding starts at ten thousand dollars," the announcer says.

"Twenty thousand," Liza calls out, immediately grabbing Cara's attention.

Now, this is the fun part.

"Thirty  thousand," Cara counters, drawing everyone's eyes to them.

Xander nudged Cara. "What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Relax, it's your money on the line, not mine," she whispered back with a sly smile.

"Five thousand!" a stranger called out.

"Ten thousand," Liza countered, her eyes narrowing at Cara. She was determined not to let Cara win.

"Fifteen thousand," Cara announced, earning gasps from the crowd. The necklace wasn't worth more than seven hundred dollars, but this was about more than jewelry—it was a power play.

"Seventeen!" Liza shot back, more eager than before.

"Twenty thousand," Cara said, her voice deliberately loud and clear.

"Can a bartender at Geisel's really afford that? Seems a bit out of your league," Liza sneered.

Cara kept her smile, though she seethed inside. She wanted to tear Liza apart.

"Fifty thousand," Cara shouted, her voice cutting through the murmuring crowd. People began recording, and Xander nudged her again, but this time, she ignored him.

"Fifty thousand, going once," the auctioneer began, Cara's heart pounding as he counted.

"Come on," Cara muttered under her breath.

"Twice..."

"A hundred thousand!" Liza screamed, refusing to back down.

"Yes," Cara whispered with a smirk as the auctioneer continued.

"One hundred, going once, twice... sold for one hundred and fifty thousand!"

"Oh, sorry, boo," Liza said with a pout, "Looks like I got it."

Cara's smirk deepened. "What you got is an overpriced necklace. You were baited."

Mark chuckled but quickly straightened up under Liza's glare.

Liza: 1, Cara: 1

~~~

After Liza and Mark went to pay for the necklace, Xander and Cara were left alone at the table. Cara watched the couples slow dancing on the floor.

"Let's dance," she said, standing up.

"I don't..." Xander began.

"Please, just one dance or I'll give you the whole speech about me causing a scene."

Xander shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Fine." He stood and extended his hand. Cara smiled, taking it as they walked to the dance floor. They stopped among the other dancers, and Cara wrapped her arms around his shoulders while his hands settled on her waist. She rested her head on his chest as they moved slowly, a smile spreading across her face for reasons she couldn't quite name.

Xander was smiling too, feeling a rare sense of peace in the moment.

Cara's smile faded when she noticed Liza returning to their table. An idea formed in her mind—reckless as always.

She looked up at Xander. "Don't get mad," she whispered.

"Wha—" Before he could finish, Cara pressed her lips to his. Though caught off guard, Xander kissed her back.

Liza's blood boiled at the sight. She couldn't stand this bitch. Her anger rose to the point of tears, but she blinked them away. She had put Xander in the arms of another woman, but she was going to get him back.

"What was that for?" Xander asked when the kiss ended.

"Just giving them a show," Cara said casually, fighting the urge to kiss him again—it was hard not to when he looked like that.

He cleared his throat. "I'd appreciate a heads up next time."

Cara rolled her eyes and turned, guiding his hands to her small baby bump as she stood with her back to him. She faced Liza, who looked utterly defeated. Cara smirked.

Cara: 2, Liza: 1

~~~

"I need to use the restroom," Cara said as they returned to the table.

"Okay," Xander replied.

Cara made her way to the restroom, glancing at her reflection in the mirror with a satisfied smile. She wiped the lipstick from the corners of her lips, waiting for her target.

"3, 2, 1..." she counted under her breath as the door swung open, revealing...