Page 94 of On The Edge

“Next time.” He shrugs.

“There’s always next time,” I say as he moves on to his own PR setup that no doubt I need to get to myself.

Sofia and I watch Riggs walk off before her silence has me turning to face her and her hands on her hips. “What?” I ask.

“I like her.”

“Everybody likes her.” Well, except for Papá but he doesn’t count. She continues to stare at me with lips pursed and a ghost of a smile. “I swear to God, Sof, please tell me you didn’t say something to send her running off.”

“Considering she was waiting for you at the finish line, I think you have your answer . . . but we did talk, yes.”

“Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

My sister catches sight of something over my shoulder and she stands taller. “Introduce me,” Sofia says under her breath.

“To who—nope, absolutely not,” I say when I turn to see Rossi making eyes at my sister.

What is it with this fucking guy?

“C’mon. He’s hot. You’re getting to play around, why can’t I?”

“Because he’s trouble.”

“Perfect. I like trouble.” She grins at me but, thank God, when I look back, Rossi is gone.

“You should probably get in the ice bath with me if you’re that hot and bothered. That will cool you off,” I say as she begins to walk with me.

“Says the man who can’t have Maddix here before a race because he can’t keep his hands off her. Pot, meet kettle.”

“Whatever.” I wave a hand at her.

“You know what? Maybe I do need to get in that ice bath with you. I think I’m coming down with something.” She fake coughs. “I need to make sure it gets worse.”

I glance over at my sister and her shit-eating grin and know exactly where she’s going with this.

“You’re fucking awesome.”

“I know. Now reward me with that introduction.”

I push her playfully. “Over my dead body.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Maddix

“I don’t understand.” I look at Cruz where he stands in my doorway, towel wrapped around his waist, and rivulets of water running down the plane of his chest.

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be a drop of water more.

“There’s not much to understand. The prince has a charity gala every year. I was invited. Pretty self-explanatory.”

“But . . .” Me? At a palace?

He chuckles and moves toward me. He takes my face in his hands and looks into my eyes. “Is it so bad I want you to be my date? Just you, Madds.” He lifts his eyebrows up to reinforce the words. “That I want to share this with you and only you?”

My heart quickens in my chest. I know they’re just words. But damn do they make my pulse quicken.

“But Cruz . . .” Panic replaces the feeling of glee and skitters up my spine. “You’re telling me I’m going to the palace. One where a real live prince lives and that I’ll be meeting him too.”