Page 25 of Let the Games Begin
“I thought volunteers were supposed to be upbeat and friendly,” he said.
“I’m a goddamn delight, and I’m also very busy,” she said, even though she and Arlo had just spent the last thirty minutes debating whether they loved or loathed the final season ofTed Lasso.
“I’m guessing now would be a bad time to ask for a favor?”
“What do you need, someone to buggy you? A babysitter to guide you around the Village?”
“Only if you’re the one driving.” His eye contact made her want to twirl her hair. She could feel herself beginning to fold. Shehadto reinforce her defenses.
“So, what’s this favor you’re looking for, and, more importantly, how are you going to try and convincemeto helpyou?” she asked, desperately seeking more stable ground.
“Okay, so I might have locked myself out of my apartment,” Zeke said with a grimace.
Olivia faked a sharp intake of breath. “Oh, thatisa tricky one. Village keys are like gold… I’m not sure I can help you there,” she said, enjoying the temporary power she held over him.
“I could drive the buggy there, be your chauffeur. You’d just have to let me in one time, and then IpromiseI’ll leave you alone.”
“Ah, but that would mean having to find the key… and then going through security to make sure you are who you say you are… and then I’d have to sign you out…” She sighed, pretending to be annoyed, even though she knew the whole process would take less than five minutes.
“What if I gave you something in return?” He leaned against the desk until they were just centimeters away from each other again.
“Ezekiel,” she said. Her voice quieted to an almost threatening whisper. But instead of stepping back, he leaned closer.
“Olivia,” he said, glancing down at her lips, biting his, and then looking back up at her eyes. She could feel the tension hanging in the air between them. The possibility that lingered whenever they stood face-to-face. She kept her voice quiet and low.
“If you offer to pay for my dry cleaning again, I’ll break protocol, deactivate your pass, and completely exile you from the Village,” she whispered.
“You can do that?” he said, whispering back.
His lips looked really soft. She wondered what they would feel like against hers, how easily one of them could close the distance between them.
“I can do a lot of things.”
“I knew it.”
“Knew what?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. They were so close that she could feel his breath against her cheek.
“That you’re the kind of person who gets drunk off power,” he said, looking right at her. She held his gaze and then stood back up, breaking the spell.
“Everyone needs a kingdom.” She shrugged, a little dizzy frombeing so close to him. “This desk is my castle, and that cabinet of keys over there is my crown.”
“Well, what if I said I have something that belongs to you?” he said.
“What do you have?”
“Ohh, you see, I can only give it to you if you help me get back into my apartment.”
“Keeping your bargaining cards close to your chest, smart,” she said, nodding. “Seems like something I would do.”
“I’m just trying to be like you, Liv.”
“It’s Olivia, Ezekiel.”
“I prefer Zeke, Olivia.” He paused, and they locked eyes. For a moment it was like some sort of force was stopping them from noticing anything but each other. Like they were playing a game of chess, looking down at the board, trying to predict each other’s next move. Olivia could almost see the sparks of electricity humming between them. For once,shewas the one to look away; she couldn’t let him see the destabilizing effect he was having on her.
“What of mine did you say you have again?” Olivia asked, feeling like she’d just wakened from a trance.
“I’ll only give it to you if you promise to let me into my apartment,” Zeke said.
