My heart winces.
Good thing I have my rules in place. And really, it’s just five days. What kind of out-of-control maniac can’t follow two simple rules for five short days?
I’m at the top step now. My suitcase wobbles to a halt as I slip my sweaty hand off the handle and scrutinize the keypad. I busted a wheel while tugging it out of the town car Marsha sent for me since the driver didn’t volunteer to help. Probably because I begged him to keep the AC at arctic levels to keep from sweating to death on the drive here.
Already, the hot, dry air is creating sweat puddles in my bra.
The code is the year we graduated, so I tap out the keys.
The lock slides open. Upon further communication from the show’s crew, I learned there would be no one else inside the home. Just me, Kai, and an array of cameras operated remotely by a crew who lowkey stalks people for a living. There’s one exception: the show's host will have access to the studio portion of the home—where most of our challenges will be held.
I creak open the solid door, wondering who they’d arranged to arrive first. The poor, heartbroken girl from the wrong side of the tracks who’s struggling to get her tiny business going? Or the rich, cocky law student who, according to mutual friends, will be sweeping the bar exam very soon?
“Nikki?”
The sound of that deep, pleasing voice answers my question while simultaneously causing a volcano-sized thrill to erupt in my chest.
In walks Kai Kingsley in all his sculpted jaw, dark-haired, broad-shouldered glory.
Goosebumps ripple all the way up to my face; hopefully, they won’t have the same hair-growing effect that they have on my legs.
Kai strides into the foyer, that muscular build even broader than I remember. His still-thick hair is slightly longer than he kept it back then. The loose waves have my fingers aching to relive the times I ran my hands through it while we kissed.
A ball of heat encircles my heart. I’m either having a heart attack, or someone has suddenly sucked the air out of the room. I reach out with a robotic arm as he nears, but Kai brushes it away and moves to hug me instead. Warm, strong, and Kai-scented.
Mmm.I inhale his spicy aftershave like it’s life’s breath.
“I’m so glad we’re doing this,” he says under his breath, his lips grazing my ear.
My neglected flesh breaks out in goosebumps once again.Rules, Nikki.
“Me too,” I blurt, not even sure I mean it. I blow out a shaky breath and step back as he does. Holyheavens,he’s gorgeous!
Kai moves past me to snatch my suitcase off the porch. “They labeled the roomsHisandHers,so that takes out the guesswork. Let me show you to your room.”
I close the door behind him and cringe when he gives my suitcase handle an expectant pull. A sharp squeak peals out as the broken wheel bits scrape the tile floor.
Kai stops short and hunches down to inspect the thing.
“It broke while I was yanking it out of the car,” I explain.I’m seriously in the same house with Kai right now.It doesn’t feel real.
His brow furrows. “They should have removed it from the carforyou.” But he’s quick to secure the other handle—the jeweled one on the side—and carry the case that way instead.
I follow Kai into the hallway, liking the way he handles my shiny pink suitcase. He never complained about storing my phone, lip gloss, or other feminine products in his pocket during dates.
A dart of longing shoots through me at the recollection. We really did have a great relationship. And at the risk of sounding snobby, I’m not terribly surprised that we received so many nominations. Kai and I were always laughing together. In class, out of class, on dates, or during assemblies. Like the talent show where we dressed up as an 80s rock band. Kai jumped off the stage Van Halen style while rocking his electric guitar and split his pants.
I cover a laugh at the memory while trailing Kai into my room. I barely have time to glance about the place when the alarming ring of a bell blasts. It’s long, loud, and it reminds me of—
“Was that our old school bell?” Kai asks, face scrunched in confusion.
“Welcome to Time Warp, High School Reunion Style,” sings a cheery male voice from whatever speakers lurk among us.
“It’s time for today’s assignment. Please find the locker located inside your wardrobe for individual instructions, then meet one another in the library. You have exactly twenty minutes to prepare. Go!”
“Whoa, already?”
“Guess I’ll see you in the library in twenty minutes.” Kai spins on one foot before pausing to look over his broad shoulder. “And Nikki?”
