Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but there seems to be an intensity between us when we’re together, like we’ve known each other from a previous life. He seems to see right through me. He didn’t just remember I’d been to Cincinnati—he instinctively knew something had happened there. It’s like he can read my mind, even though I’ve only known him a matter of hours.
But my mind is all over the place at the moment. I don’t need to complicate life any more than it already is. Worth doesn’t seem complicated, but any more feelings than I’m already feeling are too much.
As I head down to the hotel lobby, my phone buzzes. I pull it out of my bag and “Dad” flashes on the screen.
I feel my body heat three more degrees. It’s like my anger is my own personal electric blanket, set to high.
He knows I know. He’s called three times in the last twenty-four hours. He wouldn’t do that unless it was serious, like I discovered he had a second family the entire time I’ve been alive or something.
I type out a message on the group chat with my brothers, asking if either of them has heard from Dad. Even typing the word “Dad” is difficult, and I’m sure I press the letters into the phone with more force than necessary.
The elevator stops and the doors open at floor twelve. Worth appears.
Despite being in the desert, his presence is like a cool breeze wafting in from the north. My jaw unlocks and my shoulders drop. I’m not sure why I’m having such a physical reaction to this man. Okay, sure, he’s probably the best-looking man I’ve ever laid eyes on, but I can’t just think he’s hot. That can’t be it.
“Hey,” he says, the single word pushing everything else out of my brain.
“Hey,” I say, inexplicably feeling like an idiot. “Are you… prepared?” I ask. And god, I hope it’s not paintballing.
“Always,” he replies.
“Do you know what we’re doing today? It’s not paintballing, is it?”
Slowly, he shakes his head. “Not a clue.”
I sigh and slot my phone back into my bag.
The elevator doors open onto the lobby. Jules, Leo, Bennett, and Efa are already there, waiting for us.
We’re the third couple.
A frisson of something snakes down my spine and I glance at Worth, who’s checking his watch.
“I love that we’re all so punctual,” Jules says. “And this is actually perfect. You two can be a team.”
Efa tugs at her shirt and whispers something into Jules’ ear. Jules replies under her breath.
More secrets. I feel the rage rise in my stomach, and I have to turn away. What the hell are they talking about?
“You okay?” Worth asks from beside me.
I pull in a deep breath and take in the aroma of leather and pine. Apparently this is Worth’s signature scent. I’m basically sniffing Worth. But it works to allay my growing anger, and I shrug off whatever’s going on with Jules and Efa. I pull my face into a smile. “Teammates!” I say.
At least I’m not being paired with Fisher. That could be awkward. It’s not that he’s not a great guy—he’s been nothing but charming to me. But he’s… not my type. Then again, no one’s my type at the moment.
Worth lifts his fist to offer me a fist bump and I can’t help but grin. He’s an unlikely fist bumper, but I press my knuckles to his. He’s so dry, so deadpan, that my grin turns into a laugh.
“Teammates,” he says.
Fisher and Jack arrive. Leo gets a call to say Byron will be late because he’s on the phone to Acapulco.
“But this is better because we’re all teams of two,” Jules says. “It’s fairer this way.”
“Fairer for what?” I mutter under my breath.
Worth puts his hand on my back. It’s just a touch, but it’s like he’s got a magic wand. I don’t know if it’s what he intended, but the gesture makes me feel like I have someone in my corner. And I haven’t felt that since I found out about my dad. I never felt I needed that until I found out about my dad.
“So, are you ready for some fun?” Efa says. “You know the one thing we don’t have for this wedding tomorrow? Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Your mission—and you will choose to accept it—is to find the most innovative, creative things to satisfy the brief!” Efa’s grinning at us like she just invented a cure for world hunger. I have to fight the urge to eyeroll, which instantly makes me feel horrible. Why can’t I just be happy—push away the lies my dad told me for my entire life?
“We can find a bar if you prefer?” Worth says quietly as Efa hands out written instructions for our quest.