Page 17 of Billionaire’s Game

“Nothing. Not even phone numbers. He told me that you asked for his—” Jude reported.

“So that we could practice for the game show,” Maya hissed.

Jude looked dubious. “And he said you followed him home.”

“His security guards are terrible people. They wouldn’t let me in.”

I grinned. I loved how Maya was playing the victim in all this when she was actually a borderline stalker. Florida was turning out to be more of an adventure than I’d expected.

“Wow... imagine that. Those mean security guards. How dare they. That’s pretty terrible.”

“That’s how I felt!” Maya cried, not catching on to Lacey’s sarcasm.

“Trying to keep Magnus safe from crazy ladies, you know that’s only their job,” Jude added.

“I’m not crazy. I’m determined. There’s a huge difference.”

“Says the woman who tripped over her cat—”

“Goldilocks is no longer getting the fancy stuff. Dry food for her from now on.”

I stopped listening to the exchange as I tried to wrap my head around Jude’s abrupt decision.

“Jude? Can I talk to you really quickly?”

He stopped arguing with Maya over why dogs were better than cats, a sudden unexpected twist to the conversation, and ushered me into his office. Lacey stayed with Maya who she was now helping to our shared space.

“Be careful. I don’t want you to break your other foot too,” I could hear Lacey saying to an argumentative Maya as Jude offered me a seat in his office. I promptly closed the door behind us. I didn’t want to be overheard, especially by Magnus. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to just pop up whenever I was around.

“I don’t want to be Magnus’s partner,” I blurted out.

“Why not? He’s a nice guy.” Jude was clearly taken aback.

“I’m sure he is... but it’s just that... you know... I don’t think I’m the best pick for the role.”

“Well, actually you are the best pick. You’re smart and Lacey said you played sports in elementary school.”

“Elementary school was years ago!”

“It still counts. Once an athlete always an athlete.” Jude had previously been a professional soccer player. The only professional thing I’d ever been was a professional student. And I was embarrassingly out of shape now. As in, I didn’t even like parking far from the entrance to grocery stores because I was too lazy to walk.

“I can barely run a mile without passing out.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. You’re partnering with Magnus. We need this exposure. I’m sure you’ll do a great job representing us.”

“Jude—”

“Come on, Lesli. Who else will do it? Lydia? Ha. Don’t think so. And the others are even in worse shape than you are.”

“Thanks for that, Jude.”

“I’m serious, I love them but they’re all allergic to working out. We have a company fitness benefit where I actually pay for their gym membership. Only Maya uses it. She’s really into CrossFit. Last year we were all supposed to do a mud run together. You know, one of those grueling races with obstacle challenges every tenth of a mile or so? Well, everyone but Maya skipped most of the obstacles and waited for me at the finish line. And then when I crossed the finish line alone, they handed me a bag of chips to celebrate.”

I laughed. “Nice.”

“And let’s be honest. You’re the smartest person I know. You’re a doctor for god’s sake, and you’re barely over twenty.” He shook his head and said mostly to himself. “At twenty, I’m pretty sure I had wasted at least three-quarters of my brain cells. What I’m trying to say is we need you. You’re our only hope.”

“Why can’t you do it?”