At the next fork, they go right, and Piper gestures to the left. I nod and we split off from the other couple, proceeding independently.
We plod along for another ten minutes before she turns to me. “How do you think we’re doing?”
Honestly? Not great.
“We’ve been here before.” I stop and she pulls up short next to me. I survey the clearing and my gaze settles on a gap in the corn where it looks like several stalks have been trampled. “We passed this way two turns ago.”
Piper studies the area. “No, we didn’t.”
Everything looks the same—that’s why it’s easy to get turned around—so I can’t exactly fault her for disagreeing.
“You sound awfully confident for a woman wading through five acres of corn.”
“You’re the one who said you’re directionally challenged.” She shrugs. “You don’t get to be surprised when I believe you.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. I fucking love this side of her. The one that doesn’t take shit and gives as good as she gets. “If you’re so sure, why don’t we bet on it?”
She cocks a hip. “What’s the bet?”
“We each go our separate ways, and the first one to the exit wins.”
“What do I get when I win?”
Not if,when. The confidence she wears like a second skin is sexy as hell.
“What do you want?”
She taps her chin, considering. “I tweaked my shoulder in class this morning and I’d kill for a massage.”
“Done.” I’ll happily massage her shoulder, whatever the outcome. “If I win, I want a fourth date.”
“Deal.” She turns to go and then seems to think better of it, throwing a challenging glance over her shoulder. “See you at the exit.”
Win or lose, I’m making out in this bet, but you don’t play D1 football without developing a taste for victory and I’m not about to hand Piper the W.
I take off in the opposite direction, choosing my path instinctively. I don’t have a clue where I’m going and I’m not about to waste time overthinking. As long as I keep moving, I’ll find the exit…eventually.
I race through a series of turns at a breakneck pace and yeah, I’m probably moving faster than I should, but I haven’t seen another person in at least ten minutes.
Hell, the maze is all but silent, the sounds of the farm and its guests a distant melody.
I hit a dead end and retrace my steps, but I must take a wrong turn, because I end up in the same clearing where I started.
Fuck.
It’s not supposed to be this hard. It’s just a corn maze for chrissake.
It’s supposed to be fun. For families. With small children.
And yet your dumb ass can’t find the way out.
The sound of pounding feet arises on my left and I turn just in time to see Piper burst into the clearing.
She looks around and curses under her breath. “How is this even possible?”
It’s a valid question. Even so, I have to stifle a laugh. “I’m starting to think we’re both directionally challenged.”
She plants her hands on her hips and when she levels her gaze at me, there’s a spark of mischief in her blue eyes. “Why Brady Vaughn, are you saying we’re lost?”
