I avert my gaze from those piercing blue eyes. The escape room is the only game event that actually sounds like fun. A puzzle is exactly what I need to distract myself from Tristan.
“Hell yeah,” I say, trying to keep my voice bland. “I love escape rooms.”
“That sounds like you.” Tristan’s soft tone of voice startles me. When I search his face, I see that kind, almost affectionate smile he’s been giving me lately. I quickly look away.
Thankfully, the director gestures for us to come inside the gym, so I’m not forced to stand awkwardly making conversation without eye contact.
“Let’s do this,” Tristan says, holding out his hand.
My cheeks heat. Why does he always try to hold hands with me on our dates? Before today, I thought it was just his thing, something he did with every date, but now he has other options besides me.
Oh well, I don’t want to look like it unsettles me. It’s obviously just part of his plan to make Harper jealous. I reach forward and grab his hand. The warmth of his palm sends electricity up my arm.
The other two girls walk with us through the doorway and into the dimly lit gym. Tristan got to pick three women for this date. Me, Serena, and some girl named Natalie. When I glance at Serena, she smiles, looking pointedly at where my hand is joined with Tristan’s, and my stomach flutters.
What will she say about this later?
After we’re led to the door of the room, I glance around the area, and excitement fizzles through my veins. Even the outside of the room looks fancy. There’s a real antique table and lamp instead of cheap party-store props.
“You look like a kid at Disneyland,” Tristan murmurs, his face so close his warm breath brushes against my ear. “It’s adorable.”
Goddamn him. He’s so damn charming he could probably seduce a cactus.
“Alright, listen up!” The director claps his hands twice. “This is going to be a team-building exercise designed to test your cooperation and problem-solving skills.”
Anticipation flutters in my gut as I glance around at the other contestants. Serena isn’t the only one looking at Tristan and I. Natalie is as well.
I can’t imagine what she must be thinking, gorgeous as she is. She’s probably wondering why he’s holding my hand when I’m the odd one out?
“Here are the rules,” the director says. “You have a half hour to solve the puzzles and escape the room. Each puzzle you solve will give you a clue to help you find the exit. You must work together, or you won’t make it out. Tristan is going to see how well you’re able to work as a team. Remember, relationships are a team effort…”
The director keeps talking, some nonsense about how we can use this opportunity to impress Tristan, and I tune it out to avoid cringing. The way this school dramatizes the game is silly and contrived.
Still, I can’t believe I’m standing here—the contestant whose hand Tristan chose to hold.
The door to the room opens, and my heart races as I take in the scene before us—a dimly lit space resembling an old library, complete with dusty shelves filled with old, worn books and cobwebs that must be fake but somehow look real. In the center of the room, a massive wooden table holds various antique-looking objects.
“Remember,” the director says, his voice echoing through the room, “teamwork is key. Good luck!”
The door slams shut behind us, plunging us into near darkness. A timer begins counting down from thirty minutes, its glowing red numbers are one of few lights in the room.
Natalie glances shyly at Tristan. “What do you want us to do, boss?”
Tristan shrugs. “Let’s split up. You go work with Serena. Amy will be my partner.” He squeezes my hand.
Her eyes widen minutely. She glances at me for a moment. Her expression looks more perplexed than jealous.
“Okay, let’s start with the bookshelf,” I say. Tristan nods and follows me.
We search in silence, the tension between us palpable. Is he constantly thinking about the kiss too? My heart pounds as I reach for a book and Tristan’s hand covers mine. The sudden contact sends shivers down my spine.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, but there’s a smirk on his face.
Damn him. He did that on purpose.
“No worries,” I say, trying to ignore my racing pulse. I run my fingers over dusty book spines, feeling for anything unusual.
“Hey, look at this,” Serena calls out, holding up an old map with strange symbols scrawled across its surface. “I think we need to find a key to decipher these.”
