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Face Off

Page 140

by Melanie Walker

Bliss took our basket and checked its contents.

“Six hearts, four objects, and seven approved photographs.” She looked impressed. “You completed everything.”

“We’re excellent partners,” I said.

Ryan’s attention moved toward me. Humor remained in his eyes, though the word reached somewhere more dangerous.

“At scavenger hunts,” I added.

“Barely,” he said. “She ignored directions, hid estate property in her shorts, and compromised the integrity of the competition.”

Bliss looked at me. “You cheated?”

“Ryan stole my map.”

“She was overthinking.”

“He confiscated information and called it leadership.”

“It worked.”

“I solved the clues.”

“I found the routes.”

“You fingered me in front of Rider and Elenore.”

Bliss’s eyes widened. “You did what!?”

Ryan folded his arms. “Her methods lack professional boundaries.”

“You couldn’t keep your hands off me.”

“I was manipulated.”

“You looked happy.”

“Those photographs will be destroyed.”

I touched the front of my shorts. “Come get them.”

His gaze dropped before returning slowly to my face.

Bliss looked between us. “I’m leaving.”

“No,” Ryan answered.

“Yes,” I said at the same time.

Bliss backed away with our basket. “I suddenly need to calculate the scores from somewhere else and check on my soon to be mother-in-law.”

“She’ll be fine.” Ryan calls to her with a chuckle.

He waited until she walked toward Elenore before stepping closer. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“You gave me fifteen months of believing you would never willingly stand in the same room with me again. Today you’re wearing pastel, following my cues, and threatening to bite my ass. I’m having a fucking wonderful morning.”

His mouth curved despite the pain that moved behind his eyes. “Enjoy it while you can.”