Chapter 2

When I got home, my mom and Mrs. Evans were sitting on the couch cooing over our baby photos, having the time of their lives.

I slipped back into my bedroom. My phone buzzed. It was a message from Chase.

It was only one sentence, but it made my heart skip a beat.

Chase: [Actually...]

[Actually what?] I fired back.

The screen showed "typing..." for a full minute.

Finally, his text popped up:

[Actually, your mom and my mom just made a new SnapChat group with the two of us.]

I opened the app, and there it was: a brand new group chat cheerfully named *One Big Happy Family (Future Edition)*. The members were me, Chase, and our two overly enthusiastic mothers.

My mom was already typing: [The kids hit it off so well! We can finally relax!]

My soul left my body.

Then, Chase's private DM popped up: [We need to play the long game. Don't leave the group yet, or they'll get suspicious. Let's just pretend to be polite and ignore each other. Deal?]

I thought about our moms' relentless matchmaking energy and texted back: [Deal.]

Looking at Chase's avatar—that chubby cat named Nugget—I suddenly felt like this absurd blind date wasn't the absolute end of the world.

At the very least, I had just discovered my rival's biggest weakness: he was a total mama's boy who couldn't say no.

Oh, Chase. Payback is going to be so sweet.

The *One Big Happy Family (Future Edition)* group quickly turned into my daily source of entertainment.

Mostly because I loved watching Chase suffer.

Our moms had endless energy, constantly mothering us in the chat.

My mom: [@Summer @Chase Temperature is dropping today, bundle up! Chase, keep an eye on Summer. She always chooses fashion over freezing.]

Just as I was figuring out what to say, Chase’s reply popped up.

Chase: [Understood, Mrs. Miller. [Shared link: The Ultimate Cold-Weather Layering Guide for Peak Health]]

Me: "..."

Mrs. Evans: [@Summer @Chase Are you two free this weekend? Come over for Sunday roast! I’ll make something hearty!]

My fingers flew across the keyboard to decline, but Chase beat me to the punch.

Chase: [Mom, we can't make it this weekend. Summer and I... already have tickets for an art gallery.]

I spammed his DMs with rage: [??? When the hell did we agree on an art gallery?!]

Chase replied in seconds: [Strategy. Giving a specific excuse sounds way more legit than a flat-out no. Plus, it keeps them from proposing even crazier dates. You're free this weekend, right?]

Me: [...Yeah. Free.]

Chase: [Cool. I just sent you a link to a virtual art tour. Spend ten minutes skimming it so our stories match if they ask.]

Staring at the virtual gallery link on my screen, I was completely speechless.

This guy was so competitive he even optimized lying to his own mother.

On Saturday, I was lounging on my couch binge-watching TV when I dropped a lazy message into the family group: [The exhibit was amazing. So inspiring.]

My mom replied instantly: [Just a sentence? Where are the photos?]

I froze. A screenshot of what? My laptop screen?

Just as I was having a mild panic attack, Chase dropped three flawlessly composed, professional-looking gallery photos into the chat.

Chase: [Mrs. Miller, these pieces were really fascinating. Thought I’d share them with you and Mom.]

Mrs. Evans: [Oh, lovely shots! Where’s the photo of the two of you together?]

My heart seized up.

Chase replied with ice-cold chill: [Too crowded today, couldn't get a good angle. Next time.]

Masterclass. Absolute masterclass.

I couldn't help DMing him: [Where did you get those? Photoshop?]

Chase: [My cousin went last weekend. I asked her for them.]

Me: [...Chase, you are a professional con artist.]

Chase: [I take that as a compliment. Your "so inspiring" review wasn't bad either.]

Ridiculous as it was, thanks to his scheming, the weekend passed without incident.

My mom was so thrilled she even sent me a fifty-dollar "Date Night Fund" on PayPal.

Honestly? Not the worst setup.