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“Why?” I shake my head, confused.

“Tina locked us in. She’s got this crazy idea we might like each other.”

“We despise each other.” I retract in disgust. Ew.

“Doesn’t matter. She’s busy playing matchmaker. We’ll be in here a while. Might as well get comfy.” He gestures to the spot on the floor across from him.

“Matchmaker?” Um, no. No, thank you.

I turn and bang on the door again. Harder. Louder. I scream.

After all the ruckus I make, I only hear kids giggling from the other side. Someone turns up the music, drowning me out. It’s a song about being stuck in love with someone.

I step back and stare at the door. All signs suggest this was a setup, and I suspect Jaz and her mini-minions sent me into this Tina trap. How much was she paid for this little maneuver?

Defeated, I blow out a long breath, roll back my shoulders, and face Gio. I select the farthest spot in the pantry, which isn’t far enough, and drop to the floor.

With Gio distracted by his cookie hunt, I scavenge the shelves for my own dessert. I bypass bags of coconut candy, taro chips, and something called mochi crunch. All look yummy, but I’m searching for something specific.

That’s when I see it. On a lower shelf, behind large containers of rice, lives a tiny utility door in the wall. I pull the knob, reach a hand in the dark space, and lift out a container filled with cookies. I settle it on my chest and peel back the top. The scent of vanilla and coconut smacks me in the face, making my mouth water.

The rustling of boxes on the other side of the pantry halts. Gio stills, and the room falls deadly silent. Ever so slowly, his head swivels in my direction. His tempestuous gaze lifts and pins me.

I grin. Wide. Full teeth. A thunderous crack of power shoots through my veins, and oh my gosh, it’s delicious. So delicious, I might actually cry.

Gio was right. These cookies might bring on the waterworks.

“What do you smell now?” I wave my hand through the air, sending cookie aroma wafting in his direction.

“She added chocolate chips?” His face folds with pained happiness. A loud grumble protests from his belly, and he grabs his stomach.

“Is that what I think it was?” I laugh.

“A man has needs, and my needs smell my chocolate-chip coconut cookies.”

“No.” I shake my head. “What you smell are my cookies.” My lip curls.

He leans forward to swipe at them, but I tug them out of reach with an unfettered cackle. He retreats to his corner like a heavyweight champion about to pounce on his opponent.

These cookies are worth something—precious—and Gio wants them desperately. And now I will do everything within my power to keep them from him.

“I will wrestle you.” His expression turns cold and serious.

Gripping the container to my chest, I remove one cookie, lift it to my nose, and sniff. They smell buttery and delicious. I take a bite.

“Holy crap,” I mutter, then take a larger bite. My eyes widen at the flavor explosion.

“Sparkles. You need to step away from that stash. I’m warning you one last time.”

Gio inches closer on hands and knees, crawling to me like he’s coming in for the kill. Suddenly, I’ve become the hunted.

I bark out an evil laugh and smash the rest of the cookie in my mouth until my cheeks burst at the seams like a chipmunk hoarding nuts. Frantically, I seal the container and tuck it under my armpit. Then I brace myself and take a defensive stance because I’m ready to throw down for these cookies.

I will die for these cookies!

“Bring it,” I say, my mouth spewing coconut crumbs. I chew the rest quickly because I can’t be distracted by nom-nom greatness during the oncoming battle.

Gio launches.