Hope’s still talking like the guys, with a kind of southern Utah accent. Ash finds this fascinating. She knows Hope is a great actress, but she’s never seen her invent a part on the spot.
As they take their turns and the sky darkens by degrees, Ash doesn’t think Hope’s drinking much of her beer—she’s pretending with that, too. And it turns out that Hope is good at poker, which shouldn’t surprise Ash. But none of them have cards that can beat Tony’s. He pulls the pile of Pringles toward him across the camp blanket.
“Don’t break the money,” Spencer says, joking.
Tony pops a chip into his mouth. “I thought you said you were good,” he tells Hope, giving the words a weight that suggests he’s trying to make a double entendre.Ugh.
“Oh, I’m good,” Hope says. Her hair has dried almost as wavy as Ash’s, which is a surprise. Ash didn’t know they shared that because Hope is always so tidy. Her fingernails, Ash notices as Hope gathers the cards and shuffles them, are clean but short, not a hint of polish, and there’s no trace of the eyelash extensions Hope usually wears. “But my cards were bad.”
“I’ve heardthatone before.” Tony still sounds leery. Ash glances over at Caro and wants to laugh. Caro hasnopoker face. She’s looking at Tony with an expression that can only be described as unveiled disgust.
“I have an idea.” Hope reaches over, takes one of Tony’s chips and pops it in her mouth. “Let’s make this next round more interesting.”
Don’t say it don’t say it, Ash thinks, but of course Tony does.
“Strip poker?” he asks.
“Even better,” Hope says. “Secretpoker.”
“Which is?” Tony asks.
“The person who wins gets to ask anyone in the group one question,” Hope says. “And they have to answer it. Honestly.”
And now Ash specifically doesnotlook at Caro. Because what on earthis happening? Did Caro know this was coming? Ash isn’t going to reveal any real secrets in front of these men. But she doesn’t want to let on that she’s as surprised as the guys. Hope must have a reason for what she’s doing.
“Why don’t we play truth or dare?” Tony asks.
“Because that’s boring,” Hope says. “Because we’ve all done that a million times before.” She grins and takes another chip. Tony reaches out to stop her but she’s too quick. “And because ifIwin, I promise I’ll askyoua question.”
“You think I mightwantto tell you my secrets?” Tony asks.
“I do,” she says.
Ash thinks,Hope’s so good at this. And is she leaning even further into her southern Utah accent?
“Okay,” Tony says. “It’s a deal.”
“Do you have any more beer?” Hope asks, and Tony nods. “Go grab some,” he tells Kevin.
“Do it yourself,” Kevin says.
“I’ll go.” Spencer stands up. “Is it in your tent?”
Tony springs to his feet. “Never mind,” he says. “I’ll get it.”
Kevin stands, too. All three of them end up heading for the tents.
“Interesting,” Hope says. “Why did they all feel the need to go? And what do you think Tony has in his tent that he didn’t want the others to see?” She snickers.
“What the hell, Hope?” Caro says. “Why would you suggestsecretpoker?” She wrinkles her nose. “Is that even a thing?”
“It is now,” Hope says. “And I suggested it because we might find out more about them. Obviously.”
“They’re not going to tell us anythingreal,” Caro says. “Not like this.”
“Sometimes what people don’t tell you, or how they lie, is just as good,” Hope says. “And I promise that none of us will get picked.”
“How?” Caro asks.
