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“Oh, another thing.” Immediately I repress a groan, wondering what twist he’s planning for this one. “This challenge is only for hiring candidates. Your spouses will be able to sit back and relax while they watch you try to work with your potential new coworkers.”
My excitement comes crashing down at this news. “Damn.”
“Sorry, babe. I’d much rather it be you than me,” Viv says under her breath, while waiting for more instruction.
“I’ll draw names in a hat to match you all up. Spouses.” He gestures to a table set up back off the shore. “Help yourselves and get ready to cheer them on.”
I bend down and give Viv a hug. “Good luck, honey pie.”
She laughs and then walks away to await her task while I head over to the refreshment table with the rest of the spouses.
It’s been a crazy weekend already and it’s only Friday.
I think back to last night when Viv couldn’t sleep and I had to hold her close and sing to her. I’ve never in my life sung to anyone outside of my showerhead.
I also had never had the opportunity to hold her like I did last night, and I have to admit it was one of the best nights of my life.
I’ve dreamed of nights where I would be able to just hold her and not worry about how she would feel about it when we woke up. Which was why, when I’d awoken before her with a hard-on pressed into her ass, I’d gotten out of that tent like it was on fire.
Then, when I’d come back, I’d walked in on her half-naked and the issue I’d just resolved was back in full force. It was a serious problem.
I grab a drink and make my way back over to the shore where the teams are being formed so they can start the race.
I watch Viv get partnered up with some guy, I don’t remember his name, and watch him grab her hips to hoist her into the canoe. Fucking hell. I hate watching someone else touch her. Maybe that tells me all I need to know, that I won’t be able to let go of this infatuation.
Not that I want to.
In my mind, this was us dating. We were on our way to something real, if she was willing. Which I hope to God she was.
She laughs at something the dude says and I stand on the shore, hands on my hips and teeth gritted.
“You’ve got this, babe!” I shout toward her, watching her head swivel back and give me a grin and a thumbs-up.
I return the gesture and blow out a breath, watching Cyrus get ready to blow the air horn. I think he likes having an excuse to use that thing.
Once everyone is ready, Cyrus presses the air horn and everyone starts to row. Several of them veer in the wrong direction and start to shout, blasting directions at each other. I can feel their frustration from here.
Viv struggles with the paddle, trying to push them forward while the guy in front of her goes the wrong way.
“Paddle the other direction!” I hear her shout at him and let out a chuckle.
“Oh boy.” A woman makes her way over to me. “That’s your girl, right?”
I smile slightly. “Yeah, that’s her.”
“I’m sorry for her. My husband is boat challenged.” She chuckles. “He also can’t find north from south.”
“Oh.” I laugh with her. “Well, hopefully they’ll find a rhythm. My girl is kind of competitive.”
“Well—” She cuts herself off as we watch the both of them. The guy has managed to spin them backward so they’re facing us, and I can’t help but laugh with the woman beside me.
“I’m Archer, by the way.”
“Marion.” She shakes my hand, both of us still laughing at our spouses and we watch Viviana stand up.
“No, don’t!” I say too late, watching her fall into the lake with a smack. “Shit.”
“Oh no.” Marion laughs lightly, she pats my arm. It’s a very motherly gesture and if I had to guess, I’d put her and her husband in their late forties or early fifties. “I don’t mean to laugh, but, well…” She points and I shake my head.
