Page 21 of Billionaire’s Game

Chapter Five

“So explainto me again how this isn’t a date?”

I sighed and shot Lacey an annoyed look. “I already explained to you, we’re just trying to get to know each other.”

“Uh huh”

“For the show...”

“Ok.”

“It’s true,” I said, more forcefully than I should have.

Lacey glanced at me from the corner of her eyes. “Whatever, kid. If it weren’t such a big deal then why are you protesting so much?”

I considered her question but didn’t have an answer.

“I’m his partner. If we have any chance of winning, we need to know everything about each other. I noticed that some of those challenges are based on how well you know your partner.”

“Well, maybe when you’re done discussing that, you can stick your tongue down his mouth. “

My eyes grew wide and I shook my head at my cousin’s bold words. “Lacey, you’re insufferable.”

She nodded. “I know.”

The baby was home with Jude and even though I wanted to take an Uber to meet up with Magnus, Lacey insisted on dropping me off at the park where we’d arranged to meet. I’m pretty sure she was just being nosey.

As we pulled up, we spotted Magnus casually leaning against the entrance gate to the park, directly across from the sparsely populated parking lot. I was surprised by how empty most of the parks were in South Florida, at least in the parts where I’d visited. People seemed to so used to the beauty around them that they almost took it for granted, while people like me who hadn’t ever experienced a tropical climate thought it was paradise.

And paradise was the perfect backdrop for Magnus. He was wearing a pair of loose fitting shorts and a white shirt. He looked cool and sexy. In fact, he looked like a leading male role in a 1990s commercial, I thought with a smile to myself.

“Wow, Jude’s lucky I didn’t meet Magnus first or else Jude would have had some serious competition.”

I punched her in her arm. “I’m going to tell Jude that next time I see him.”

“I dare you.”

“You win. I’m a chicken.”

“Yep, I know. Get out. Go have fun.”

“I’m not too sure how to have fun.”

“That’s bull crap. You know how to have fun. You were always fun as a kid.”

“Really?”

She sighed and sat back. “Don’t you think you need to let go of this “Lesli is a just a geek or nerd idea”? It’s like you’re putting yourself in a box.”

I knew she had a point, but I wasn’t willing to let her tell me something I already knew and get credit for it. “For the record, I am a nerd... maybe even a geek.”

“Maybe, but people’s expectations for nerds or geeks shouldn’t affect how you view yourself.”

“Fine. I’m fun. I’m great... blah blah blah.”

Lacey laughed. “Get out of my car. Have fun.”

I came across a few joggers as I made my way to him. I scanned the area and there were some kids playing as well. It was a sunny day, but the temperature was in the seventies. A rare cold front for South Florida.