Page 116 of Face Off
I caught the back of his green shirt before he could move. “You accepted the position.”
“I agreed to stand beside Cade while he got married. Nobody mentioned romantic challenges.”
“They were in the itinerary.”
“I stopped reading when the dress code became hostile.”
“You read every page.”
“That accusation requires evidence.”
I tugged until he stepped back beside me. “Stay.”
The teasing left his face for half a breath.
His gaze dropped to my hand twisted inside his shirt before returning to mine. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”
The answer carried more than the scavenger hunt deserved. I released him and faced Bliss before either of us pulled the thread connecting that moment to the last fifteen months.
Bliss continued explaining the rules. Each pair had to collect six wooden hearts bearing letters that formed a final word. Photographs required approval from the employee managing each station. Damaging the gardens resulted in a ten-point deduction, separating from your partner meant disqualification, and nudity was forbidden after Briggs apparently asked during breakfast.
“Can we interfere with other teams?” Easton asked.
“No.”
“Can we give them incorrect directions?”
“No.”
“Can we move their clues?”
“No.”
“What can we do?”
“Participate normally.”
Easton looked genuinely confused. “Why would you plan it like that?”
Aura took his hand. “We’ll discuss sportsmanship privately.”
“You’ve never respected sportsmanship.”
“I respect winning without witnesses.”
Briggs raised his hand. “What qualifies as nudity?”
Lyric stepped farther away from him. “Why does that need clarification?”
“Shirts are mandatory, but what if a romantic challenge requires pants to become optional?”
Bliss closed her eyes. “Keep everything covered.”
Ryan leaned closer to me. “Your bride underestimated what happens when Briggs receives written rules.”
“She keeps believing he can be managed.”
“Cade believed that once too.”
