Page 29

“Rhett?” I repeat softly.

So much for Reaper.

He turns his head, and whatever heat had been humming between us disappears beneath a sudden tension I don’t understand.

A figure stands at the far end of the row. Tall. Motionless and dressed entirely in black. The pale mask covering his face catches the moonlight between the corn, and even from here, there’s something unmistakable about the way he’s staring at us… at Rhett—at my hand still resting against this man’s chest.

Rhett slowly looks back at me and for reasons I can’t explain, I suddenly feel like I’ve been caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to.

Rhett slowly removes my hand from his chest. Not pushing it away. Holding it for one second before releasing me.

The tall man points toward the maze exit but Rhett doesn’t move.

They stare at each other.

“What?”

Neither answers.

“Are you two having a silent employee meeting?”

Rhett looks back down toward my ribbon while the tall man follows his gaze.

Something passes between them. Not playful this time.

I look from one to the other. “Okay. You’re starting to ruin the vibe.”

Rhett steps away and the tall man approaches me. He grabs the red ribbon again.

“Seriously?”

He pulls at the knot.

“Dude. Leave it.”

He stops.

I yank my wrist back. “I won it.”

His jaw moves beneath the mask.

At least I think it does.

“Whatever weird employee rivalry you two have going on, I’m keeping my ribbon.”

Rhett makes a sound suspiciously close to a laugh and the Tall Guy whips his head toward him.

Rhett lifts both hands.

I grin. “Oh, I like him better.”

Rhett bows.

Tall Guy glares like he wants to murder him.

A voice crackles through speakers overhead. “RUNNERS, FOLLOW THE TORCHES TO THE NORTH EXIT. HARVEST COMMUNION BEGINS IN THIRTY MINUTES.”

I clap once. “Perfect! Alcohol.”