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Sloane slapped both hands on the table and laughed hard enough that no sound came out at first. I leaned back against the booth, full beyond any reasonable measure and absurdly satisfied.

“We did it!” she squealed as she climbed onto her chair and pumped her fist into the air.

I nodded, not sure it was safe for me to speak yet.

Lucy brought the shirts. They were bright red with gold lettering across the front: I DEFEATED THE GREAT WALL.

Sloane held hers against her body. “I’m wearing this to every formal event for the rest of my life.”

The manager led us toward the Wall of Fame near the register. Polaroid photographs covered two corkboards. Some winners looked triumphant. Others appeared to have survived a natural disaster.

We stood in front of the challenge sign, holding the shirts out.

“Put your arm around her,” Lucy instructed.

Sloane glanced at me.

I settled my hand at her waist. She leaned against my side without hesitation, smiling up toward the camera while I tried not to become too aware of the warmth beneath my palm.

The flash went off. Lucy instructed us to hold still as she took another photo. She shook the photographs while they developed, then handed us one. “One for the wall. One for you.”

Sloane took it carefully. “We have a first-date trophy.”

“We earned it.”

“You did most of the work,” she said.

“Nah, you definitely pulled your weight. Especially with the crab rangoon.”

Sloane slapped her hand to her mouth. “Please don’t say those two words in my presence for at least a month.”

I paid the bill for our buffet meals despite the challenge meal being free and tipped enough to compensate Lucy for managing the spectacle.

Outside, the evening air hit us with immediate relief.

Sloane stood on the sidewalk, holding the shirt and photograph. “I can’t sit for long periods of time.”

“I was going to suggest the park.”

“Oh, you already planned it?”

“The walk, yes. Not the competitive overeating.”

She pressed one hand against her stomach. “I have no regrets.”

I laughed. “You will.”

The park was less than a mile away, so we left her car at the restaurant and took my truck. Sloane climbed into the passenger seat and immediately discovered the emergency supplies behind it.

“Wow, it’s even worse than I imagined. You have three blankets.”

“Correct.”

“A first-aid kit.”

“Yes.”

“Bottled water.”