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“One water.” He handed it to my mom.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

That was two sweethearts, and I got one young lady and my middle name. She smiled at him and patted his cheek. Then shot me a look that clearly said our conversation was far from over.

Great. Just what I needed. My fake boyfriend had somehow managed to win over the woman who'd spent my entire life warning me that men couldn't be trusted.

I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or terrified.

Julissa blew a whistle. “Attention, everyone!”

Sixty heads turned. Rob stood beside my cousin, wearing a T-shirt that read GROOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Julissa's said, FINAL FLING BEFORE THE RING.

“Welcome to our Last Fling Before the Ring scavenger hunt!” she announced.

Cheers erupted.

“The rules are simple. Teams of two. Twenty challenges. Five rounds. You have until sunset to complete as many as possible and meet us at the pier.”

Rob lifted a hand. “First team to finish all twenty wins!”

“What's the prize?” someone shouted.

“Bragging rights!” Julissa answered.

A collective groan followed.

“And a two-hundred-dollar gift card!” She added.

The crowd cheered. Apparently, capitalism was alive and well.

“Scan the QR code on the event website for your list,” Rob continued. “Every challenge requires photo or video proof. No cheating. And if anyone gets arrested, we're not posting bail.”

Julissa blew the whistle again.

Everyone scattered. My mom included. She was headed to a rental car with my Aunt Beverly.

Damon grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, partner.”

We jogged toward his truck. Once inside, I pulled up the list. I scanned the five sections, which each had four challenges under them. Downtown Debauchery. Sugar, Spice & Questionable Decisions. Love on the Waterfront. Small-Town Shenanigans. After-Dark Antics.

“Oh, this is ridiculous.”

Damon grinned as he started the engine. “We got this.”

I looked over at him. “Oh no, you’re one of those.”

“One of what?” he asked.

“A glass half-full person.”

“Baby, I don't care if the glass is half full or half empty. Long as you're sitting across from me when I drink it.”

I ignored his flirty response and began reading the challenges aloud.

By the time I reached The Newlywed Feeding Frenzy, which required us to feed each other dessert with our eyes closed, he was laughing. When I got to The Dirty Dancing Challenge, he waggled his eyebrows.

“Hope you trust me, darlin’.”