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I drop the bowl, and it splats on the floor.

Chapter 26

Cristina

The bowl smacks against the floor as Mina calls, “Five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . .”

I scoop it into my hands and put it on the table as she says, “One.”

“Whew, Cristina!” Mina mimes wiping sweat from her brow. “You got that on the table in the nick of time. Now, we have two surprise judges who’ve been watching the live stream and have seen the way you interacted with your partners. I’d like to welcome two Mystic Meadows locals—from Sparkle Bar, Isaac Granbury and Ron Sims, who both helped create this beautiful resort.”

Ron and Isaac enter as we clap for them. Rhett steps up beside me and leans down. “Good work. That should do it.”

My rib cage expands at his words. Pride should be the last emotion I feel, but sadly it’s the first.

Rhett shifts his weight, coming even closer. The smell of him envelops me in a cloud of musk and leather. Heat blazes down my arms as I recall where he touched me with such gentleness, such reverence.

My throat shrinks.

What this man does to me . . . I don’t have words for it.

“Couples”—Mina’s voice snaps me to attention—“tell us about your creations.”

One by one, each couple approaches the judges’ table. Callie and Jeff tried to make a vase, but it looks like a piece of modern art—ripped and destroyed.

What the heck? They’re the most in sync couple here. Why isn’t the magic helping them like it’s helping us? This makes no sense.

After them, it’s Holly and Jace’s turn. Holly’s rear end swishes as she approaches the table.

“And we were on the same page the whole time,” she gushes, batting her lashes at Jace. “The cup seemed to come to life. I think Jace and I are two parts of the same soul that was ripped apart eons ago in a great spiritual battle.” She gives Jace a look full of love. “And now we’ve found ourselves together again. Even if we don’t win, we’ll still have each other. Right, babe?”

He wraps an arm around her waist. “Right.”

They kiss, and it’s wet sounding. Yuck. Though it’s strange to see my ex kissing someone else in public, it doesn’t make me wish we were still together.

Huh.

The realization settles in my body like a low hum, like there’s a cord in my stomach that just got plucked. It doesn’t bother me that Jace is with someone else. Is that because I’m with—not with, but standing next to—Rhett?

I try to sneak a look at him, but our gazes latch and his mouth ticks up in a smile.

Before I can stop my mouth, it lifts on its own accord, giving him a smile right back—a partner smile, a this-is-for-the-cameras smile.

Obvi.

Mina thanks Holly and Jace and calls up Maya and Logan. Maya shoots Logan a shy smile as they approach the table. It’s Logan who talks.

“We made a cup because our cups run over for each other.”

The clay cup is really good—the sides are even, and the base is sturdy. I’m a little jealous of how well Maya and Logan worked together. It almost makes me wish I could keep this thing with Rhett.

Wait.

Did I just say that?

Nope. Got to shut that thought down. Even now, I feel my bio-parents’ gaze boring into me, willing me to win so I’ll share the money.

I will never be free of them. Ever. They’ll always pop up, wanting more of what I’ve got because they can.