Sienna laughed as she gave Jason’s shoulder a friendly shove. “I can promise you there’s none of that going on here. Nothing’s going to get in my way of winning the rest of the competitions for my sister.”
She turned to face Fox, and gave him a small, almost imperceivable nod.
“Yeah,” he said, his voice flat.
Sienna narrowed her eyes a tiny bit at him.
Jason stared at him for a moment longer, waiting for Fox to continue. But he didn’t know what else to say. He hated the cameras, he didn't care about the competitions, and he couldn’t care less about putting on a facade for everyone.
When Jason realized he wouldn’t be getting anymore material from Fox, he turned back to Sienna. She started going on about the s’more victory and her strategy for the next game.
Watching her performance made Fox feel sick to his stomach. He walked over to the edge of the path and looked out over the mountains.
Five minutes ago, Sienna had been the most beautiful girl in the world.
Five minutes ago, he’d felt brave for the first time in over a decade.
A lot could change in five minutes.
Twelve
7 Days Until Dream Wedding
Sienna was relievedwhen Jason finally finished grilling her.
Of course, she wanted to make sure she did everything in her power to get noticed, but as much as she loved being in front of the camera, it was the last place she wanted to be this morning. She had gotten so close to a breakthrough with Fox.
It had taken a lot of effort to ask questions while trying to keep pace with Fox as he hiked through the mountains, but she’d done it. And Sienna knew he had been just about to open up to her.
She’d gotten a tiny little peek at that kind and loyal side of him she kept hearing so much about. The hints she’d seen over the past few days at the complex, yet caring man were finally giving way to the deeper layers underneath.
But the real question was, why did she care so much?
“It’s been lovely chatting with you, Sienna,” Jason said with a smile. He looked down at his phone. “But apparently, Wade is trying to convince Eli to get a tattoo in honor of his upcoming wedding.”
“And Eli is actually considering it?” Sienna didn’t have to try very hard to put on her most surprised and concerned face for the camera.
“Sounds like it. Bruce wants us all down there STAT. Catch up quick, okay? I think you’d do great in the middle of this drama.”
Sienna nodded then waved goodbye to Jason and the cameramen as they started walking down the path back to the Emerald Inn.
When she turned to look for Fox, she expected him to be far ahead down the path, but he was still standing off to the side, looking over the mountains in the distance.
She walked over to him. “Hey.”
He grunted in response.
“Jason said we need to head back down just in case things escalate down there.”
“I heard. I didn’t realize tattoos were such a big deal.”
Really? And here Sienna thought Fox knew everything about Audrey. She loved having information Fox didn’t. “They are to Audrey.”
There was a moment of hesitation, as if Fox was trying to decide if he wanted to ask or not. But she could see in his eyes the instant his curiosity became too much to bear. “What do you mean?”
Sienna stopped her lips from forming into a huge, I-know-more-than-you grin. “Maybe you’ve noticed Audrey doesn’t have any tattoos.”
Fox shrugged. “I guess. I’ve honestly never noticed. They’re not a big deal.”
