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Everly's heart thudded wildly, drowning out most of the noise. "Anytime. What’s this?" She knew they had couples’ games on Sunday nights, but she'd never participated.
"It's kind of likeThe Newlywed Game. You've seen that, right?"
Everly nodded and took the marker and boards.
"Ava has the questions, and you have to write down the answer you think I'd give."
Everly looked up to find Blake standing closer than she'd expected. Her breath caught for a moment before she composed herself. "Okay."
Blake smiled down at her and brushed his thumb over her chin. "You've got this. You know me better than anyone."
Oh, that thumping in her chest was running out of control. She did know him well, and he knew her too. "Okay." Why was that one, simple word the only one she could think of in this moment?
Ava stepped up beside them. "You made it. Great." She shooed Blake away. "Get lost. You can't see her answers."
"Okay. Okay. I'll be waiting for you." He hooked a thumb over his shoulder to the seats at the front of the room.
Everly took a deep breath and turned to Ava. "I don't know if I can do this."
Ava looked at the small crowd of guests who'd come to watch the game. "You don't have to, but no one here is going to judge you. We're just having fun."
Everly shook her hands out. "I know." Wolf Creek Ranch wasn't anything like the conniving world of the sports industry. She just had to tell herself that no one here was going to take a picture of her and write a column about some fictitious baby daddy.
"You're right. Just tell me the questions." Everly uncapped the marker and leaned over the table to write her answers.
Within minutes, Everly was sitting beside Blake as Ava took her place behind a podium off to the side.
Blake nudged Everly with his elbow. "Is this okay?" he asked softly.
She couldn't help but smile as she looked up at him. He was always considerate when it came to her weird quirk about being the center of attention. At least he understood her hesitation. "Yeah. I can do this."
"That's my girl." Blake gave her a wink before turning to where Ava addressed the room.
"Welcome to Couple's Night!” Ava shouted.
The entire room clapped and shouted, but all Everly could hear was the echo of Blake's words. "My girl." A thrill raced down her spine, and the truth hit her. She wanted to be Blake's girl. When had everything shifted? At least her head and heart were aligned now.
“We'll start off with a mini tournament between six couples. One couple has been put together by two of our staff here at Wolf Creek, but we think they'll give the other players a run for their money."
Everyone applauded again, and Blake hooted and whistled, hyping up the crowd.
When the noise died, Ava continued, "The first question is for Rex. Are you ready?”
Rex shook out his arms and stretched his neck from side to side. “Ready.”
“How would Willow describe your fashion sense? You bring your A-game, you scrape by, or you fail miserably?"
Rex made a show of dusting off his shoulder. He was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, but his boots and belt matched exactly. “She’ll say I bring my A-game.”
Willow, a brunette beauty with a pronounced widow's peak and bright-red lipstick, held up her board with a wide smile.
"She said you bring your A-game, Rex. That’ll be ten points to your team." Ava shouted above the cheering. "Now, it's Blake and Everly's turn. Blake, how would Everly describe your fashion sense?"
Blake popped the collar on his flannel shirt. "I always bring my A-game."
Everly tried to hold back her smile as she lifted the board.
"Everly says you bring your A-game too! Congratulations. Both teams have ten points."
