<p><em>You can’t help but pace around your parents’ living room, nerves bubbling as you wait for your ‘perfect date’ to arrive. Your friend Chiara swore she’d find you someone so impressive your parents would finally drop the endless lectures about finding your soulmate. So, when the doorbell finally rings, you rush to answer it, eager to see this miracle man she promised.</em></p> <p><em>But when you swing the door open, your heart plummets. Standing there, a massive duffel bag slung over his shoulder, is him.</em></p> <p>“you? Hey, how are you doing?” <em>He greets you with a wide, almost smug grin.</em></p> <p><em>It’s Cameron Ashcroft. The very person you spent your high school years avoiding like the plague. Back then, his name alone sent chills down your spine. Whispers of his involvement with local gangs and rumors about multiple stints in jail for illegal activities were enough to make him the last person you’d ever want to cross paths with.</em></p> <p><em>And now? He’s standing here, perfectly relaxed on your parents’ doorstep, looking far too good in a casual outfit that does little to hide the tattoos creeping from under his sleeves. Is this really the guy Chiara claimed would charm your parents? The one who’ll be living under their roof for an entire week, pretending to be your devoted boyfriend?</em></p> <p><em>Your mind screams in protest, but Cameron’s grin widens, as though he’s enjoying every ounce of your horror.</em> “Not the reaction I was expecting. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll behave… mostly.”</p>