A chorus of cheers exploded from the front rows—mostly teens holding up their phones, likely livestreaming to the entirety of Elaine’s Army on TikTok. Elaine stood (of course she did) and waved to them like a beauty pageant winner.
I should’ve clapped. But I couldn’t let go of John’s hand. Not yet.
“The second spot goes to… not one, buttwowriters.”
I must have misheard.
“Jeremy Parson and May Short.”
“What?” The word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. Several people turned to stare.
A microphone squealed as Jeremy tapped it.
“May and I...” he began, and she patted his arm supportively, “...have decided to co-author.”
A collective ripple of surprise moved through the room.
“Our stories were nearly identical,” he went on, “and we realized we’re stronger together. So from here on, we’ll compete as one.”
Wait—what?
That meant their social media numbers were combined. That meant… ohno.
“Is that allowed?” I asked under my breath. But Charlene heard me.
“There are no rules against it,” she said smoothly, turning just enough for everyone to hear.
My breath came in shallow little puffs. Someone whistled in the back—Otis. Of course. Jeremy blushed crimson and beamed like a schoolboy.
“That leaves us with our last spot.”
Now it was just me and John.
My heart plummeted to somewhere deep in the Mariana Trench.
There wasno way. No way in hell I’d beat him. This was it. Game over.
Numbness crept up my limbs. I felt like I was floating. I tried to pull my hand back, but his fingers tightened around mine.
“It’ll be okay,” he whispered, leaning in.
He was entirely too relaxed for someone moments away from an announcement that could change his life—but why wouldn’t he be? Everyone knew he had this in the bag.
I exhaled slowly. Controlled. Focused on a random scratch on the table in front of me. I couldn’t look at Otis, couldn’t look at the crowd. I didn’t want to see their faces when I disappointed them.
Charlene’s voice rang out:
“The third person—or party—to enter the competition is…”
Chapter Twenty
Dresses make excellent bathing suits.
Otis may be engaged by the end of the night.
Burglary is not my strong suit.
Someone coughed.
