Chapter 1

Paisley's POV

Sweat still clung to my forehead as I walked out of the cheerleading practice room, and my phone buzzed.

A message from my best friend Sloane popped up: "Paisley, HELP! Rhodes smiled at me when he walked past today. What do I do? Should I go find him and start a conversation right now?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. This girl's understanding of dating was absolutely hopeless.

"DON'T!" I texted back quickly. "Going after him now will make you look desperate. Tomorrow, wear that black fitted tee and find a spot on the second floor of the library. Make sure you sit where the sunlight hits you, then pretend to be totally absorbed in your book."

"Why the black one?"

"Because that shirt shows off your curves, and the sunlight will make your skin glow. Trust me, Rhodes won't be able to look away."

"Is this really okay? It feels kind of... calculated?"

"Sloane, men are visual creatures. You need to learn how to use your advantages. Remember—be a little shy but not too obvious."

But honestly, I'd been confused lately. Rhodes' reactions had become really weird—last week when Sloane followed my advice for an "accidental" encounter in the dining hall, Rhodes actually invited her to sit down and naturally complimented her perfume. Since when did this guy get so smooth?

Even weirder, Rhodes' recent Instagram posts clearly showed someone was coaching him. Yesterday he posted a gym photo with perfect angles showcasing his muscle definition, captioned "Hard-earned sweat is the sexiest." This was definitely NOT his style.

Just as I was puzzling over this, my phone vibrated:

"Heard you're the legendary dating queen? My buddy's about to get played to death by your 'student.' Want to consider a ceasefire? —TexasCoach"

I narrowed my eyes. So that was it—Rhodes had a strategist too.

"Ceasefire? Looks like I've met my match. If you've got the guts, meet me tomorrow at 3 PM, top floor café in the Student Union building."

"Perfect. I'm curious to meet this legendary dating queen myself."

The next afternoon, I deliberately wore a light blue dress—this color always made me look innocent yet charming.

"You must be Paisley."

I turned around, and my whole world stopped.

Standing before me was a guy nearly six feet tall with dark, slightly curly hair, bronze skin, and deep brown eyes. He wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans, but his natural magnetism almost made me forget how to breathe.

Bodhi Patel—assistant coach for the football team, every girl's dream guy on campus.

HE was TexasCoach?

"You're... Bodhi?" I tried to hide my shock. "You're Rhodes' dating coach?"

"Surprised?" He sat across from me, those deep eyes twinkling with amusement. "I didn't expect the campus dating queen to be the co-captain of the cheerleading squad either."

"So Rhodes' recent flirting skills—you taught him all that?" I cut straight to the chase.

"Flirting skills?" Bodhi feigned innocence, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away. "I just gave him some small suggestions. Though..." He paused, his gaze playful, "your 'tactical arrangement' of having Sloane wear that black fitted sports top was definitely effective. Rhodes stared at her for a full five minutes yesterday and nearly walked into a pole."

I felt my cheeks warm. "That was just standard uniform coordination."

"Standard?" He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "What about that little lip-biting move? Rhodes thinks she's sexy as hell now."

The air suddenly filled with a subtle tension.

"I have to say," his gaze lingered on my face, "you really understand men's weaknesses."

My heart rate picked up. "Then those gym photos you had Rhodes post aren't exactly innocent either."

"I just suggested he showcase his hard work." He shrugged. "Judging by how quickly Sloane liked that photo, it worked pretty well."

"She liked it?" I immediately tensed up.

"Not just liked it—she saved it." Bodhi smiled smugly. "I taught Rhodes how to check who saves his photos."

My eyes widened. "That's a thing?"

"Hidden Instagram feature. Looks like your knowledge base needs updating." He raised an eyebrow. "Though having Sloane post that 'casual' sleepwear selfie was clever. Rhodes looked at it several times."

"What sleepwear selfie?" I asked, confused.

"Last night's post? Silk pajamas, hair down, captioned 'bedtime reading'?" Bodhi's voice carried a hint of suggestiveness. "Rhodes nearly lost his mind."

My face turned completely red. "I never taught her to post anything like that!"

"Oh?" Bodhi's expression became interesting. "Looks like your student is starting to improvise. This might mean..."

"Mean what?"

"That her feelings for Rhodes are stronger than you thought." He looked at me, his gaze becoming focused. "Just like how some people get excited when they meet a real opponent."

I felt there was subtext in his words, but before I could think deeper, he continued:

"Now here's the problem. Rhodes wants to ask Sloane out but doesn't know how to do it."

"That's simple—just ask her directly."

"But he's worried being too direct will scare her off. So I'm considering having him create an 'accidental encounter' opportunity."

"Accidental encounter?" My eyes lit up. "I was thinking the same thing! Sloane's been wanting a chance to be alone with him."

"Then," Bodhi looked at me, his lips curving into a dangerous smile, "maybe we should work together?"

"Work together?"

"Yes. We could arrange the perfect 'coincidental meeting' and let them naturally end up together." He extended his hand. "What do you say, partner?"

I looked at his outstretched hand, my heart racing. The moment we shook hands, I felt a strange electric current.

"Deal."