Page 70
“What’s the next challenge?”
She flashes her thousand-watt smile. “Now, girls, what makes you think I’m going to tell y’all?”
“Hope?” I say.
Mina shakes her head. “I can’t give that away, but I will tell you that tomorrow night, things just might get a little messy.”
It’s not much of a hint, but at least it lets me know not to wear an evening dress to the challenge.
I turn on the vibrating chair. As it shakes my organs out of place, I can’t help but think about what Clarice said—that having sex too early ruins a relationship, and how that may have ruined Callie and Jeff’s chances at winning.
Could she be right? Or could it be that Callie and Jeff simply made bad cookies?
No—I made bad cookies but somehow still won.
“But tonight,” Mina says with a sly smile, “let’s all root for Cristina and Rhett, because they’ve got a date!”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I pull it out, it’s a message from my dad.
You looked great the other night, kid. Mom said so, too. We’ll call you tonight and you can tell us all about it. Mom says Rhett’s handsome—what a catch!
I almost type, Dad, Glen wants money. Then I lock the phone and let the chair vibrate the urge away. He doesn’t need to know.
My stomach cramps. I’m a big girl. I can do this by myself.
Besides, I may need more than sabotage to lose the next challenge. I’ll know tomorrow night.
Chapter 22
Rhett
My phone rings as I step off the elevator. “Hello?”
“Rhett Maddox, if you keep dodging my calls, I’m going to come to that town and tell everyone you work with that you sucked your thumb until you were ten.”
A smile breaks over my face. “Now, that’s not fair, Jessie. Thumb-sucking isn’t nearly as bad as wetting the bed when you’re fifteen, and you know it.”
The line goes silent for a moment while my sister seethes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“What else are big brothers for?”
“They’re supposed to return calls.”
“You got me.” I unlock the door to my suite, step inside, and pull off my jacket, hanging it up. “Sorry, I’ve been busy.”
“Yes, baking cookies and winning.”
“You saw that.”
“I want to meet her. Are you getting married?”
“Whoa, let’s calm down.” I sit on the edge of my bed. The mattress gives like I’ve asked it a hard question. “We just got matched.”
“Yes, but it’s perfect. She’s so cute—and her name’s Cristina? You two look good together. Everybody says so.”
“Everybody, huh?”
“Mom, Dad, the cousins.”
