Page 64 of PR Stunt

Breathless and dripping with mud, I give Grayson a playful shove. “Race you to the finish line.”

His eyes sparkle. “I’ll follow your lead, sweetheart.”

We take off in a sprint.

Chapter 21

The finish line looms ahead. The crowd is roaring, the energy’s crackling, and the cameras are locked on us as we barrel toward the end. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Savannah and Kole gaining on us. I grit my teeth and dig deep, legs screaming, lungs shot, the fire in me refusing to lose.

Then, like the universe finally decides to throw me a bone, we cross the line first.

The buzzer sounds. The crowd erupts. For half a second, I just stare, breathless, like my brain hasn’t caught up. Then it hits all at once.

We won. We actually won!

A huge grin spreads across my face as I turn to Grayson. Heart pounding, adrenaline buzzing through me, I realize he’s already looking at me. He’s smiling, his blue eyes bright, wild with victory, and for the first time since this whole ridiculous pr stunt started—I swear, he’s real. Not the playboy. Not the actor. Just Grayson. And we actually did it. We’re both drenched in mud, caked from head to toe. My hair is a disaster, his shirt is practically ruined, and I can feel the wet, sticky weight of it all clinging to me. We look ridiculous.

But I don’t care. I’ve never felt more alive.

The crowd is chanting our names, the host is talking into his mic, and the cameras are rolling. Shocking me, Grayson grabs me. The moment barely lands before he lifts me off the ground, arms locked around my waist as he swings me in a fast, breathless circle. I laugh, pure joy bursting from me, gripping his mud-covered neck for balance, fingers tightening as we spin. We lock eyes, his face just inches from mine. For a moment, a split second, something shifts. It’s chaos and clarity all at once. Then, just as quickly, he sets me down. My feet hit the ground, mud squelching beneath us and jolting me back to reality. The host jogs over, grinning.

“Charlie! Grayson! What a finish! How does it feel to win the Celebrity Mud Race?”

I’m still panting, trying to catch my breath. “Honestly?” I wipe mud off my face, still half in disbelief. “I think I have mud in my lungs. But it was worth it.”

Grayson chuckles, his arm still around my waist, his grip firm. “She kicked ass.” His voice is completely sure, not teasing for once. “Took a fall, got back up, and still won. I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Wow, okay. I expected the usual sarcasm, some cocky remark, but his voice is warm, proud, like he actually means it. Gotta give him more props for his acting.

“You two have really charmed America. How long have you been together?” the host asks.

Smiling, I look up at Grayson, and he meets the camera’s gaze with a playful smile. “Oh, man,” he begins, voice light and teasing. “Long enough to know she’s way too competitive for her own good.”

Media training: engaged. I gasp, giving him a playful shove, pretending to be shocked. “Unbelievable. You take one win, and suddenly you’re an expert on me?”

Grayson stumbles back half a step, but his grin never wavers. “I’m just saying, the competitive streak runs deep.”

I laugh, shaking my head, still catching my breath from the race.

But the host jumps in first, leaning closer and seizing the moment. “Okay, okay, I have to ask. There’s been a lot of speculation. You two have insane chemistry. When did you first realize there was something between you?”

Wanting to take the lead on this, I open my mouth, but the host is shoving the microphone in front of Grayson. The cameras zoom in, and the energy around us crackles with anticipation.

Grayson tilts his head, considering. “Honestly?” he says, shifting his arm a little at my waist, his grip still firm. “She caught my eye the first moment I saw her.”

The host gasps, and I swear I hear an actual squeal from someone in the crowd.

What the hell am I supposed to do with that? He’s smiling down at me now, full of mischief. Say something. Fix this. I search his face for something—a tell, a hint of sarcasm—but there’s nothing. He’s just looking at me, completely sure of himself. Oh, he’s good. Really playing into that boyfriend material, are we?

I swallow, forcing an easy smile. “That’s sweet. He’s certainly always here for me.”

Like an unkillable cockroach.

The host clutches his chest, gasping as if this is the most romantic thing he’s ever heard. “Okay, now I need to know. Who made the first move?”

Oh, for the love of…

“She did,” Grayson says smoothly.