Dex squints. “Relief?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Then Mason or Gregory can deal with the circus.”
Mason snorts like that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever said to him.
Gregory looks mildly alarmed. “I would prepare.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Dex says, horrified.
He taps his phone again. “Okay. Follow-up. What if you do get picked?”
I shrug, easy.
“Then I show up. I’m polite. I don’t embarrass the team on live television.”
Dex gasps. “Wow. A direct attack.”
I glance at him. “You once tried to crowd-surf during a charity auction.”
“For the kids,” Dex says.
I nod. “Exactly.”
A couple guys laugh. Someone mutters, “That’s why Colby Hayes wears the C.”
Dex shakes his head, smiling despite himself. “Man, you are the least messy option we have.”
I grin faintly. “That’s the point.”
Dex looks around the room, then back at me.
“Yeah,” he says. “You’re absolutely going to get picked.”
I open my mouth to argue and the room goes quiet.
Not loud, quiet.
Just… expectant.
I don’t say anything.
Chapter five
Sloane
“You’re breathing like you’re about to argue a case before the Supreme Court,” Paige says.
“I’m breathing normally,” I say.
Nancy shakes her head, eyes narrowing. “That wasn’t normal.”
I stop in the middle of the arena concourse, heels planted, clutch in my hand, noise crashing around us. Music thumps from somewhere deeper inside. Pink and red lights wash the walls.Hearts on Icebanners hang from the rafters like someone aggressively committed to the theme.
“I’m fine,” I say again, slower this time. Professional. Controlled. “It’s a charity event. I was selected as a finalist. I might not even get picked.” I lift my chin. “But if I do, and I hope I do, I’m ready. This matters for my job.”
Paige beams at me. “Wow. Chills. Truly inspirational.”
Nancy squeezes my arm. “Relax. You look like you’re here to audit the event, not flirt. That dress has zero sex appeal and all the confidence of a quarterly earnings report.”
