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“You ought to be paying attention to the women who are actually playing these games,” she countered, gesturing down to the screens. “Their answers are the ones that matter.”
I didn’t take my eyes off her. The fact that I was more interested in her than the groups of women from whom I’d be choosing my mate should have registered as a concern, but I honestly didn’t care. Not when the woman in front of me was far more intriguing.
“Oh, look!” she exclaimed. “Here comes Casey.”
I dragged my gaze from Jessica and watched as Casey trotted back toward the platform with an envelope in her hand, smiling triumphantly. The rest of her group trailed behind her.
Willow took the envelope from Casey, brows arched as she waited for Elizabeth, Holly, and Ashely to step back onto the platform. “Okay, ladies. That was a bit unconventional, but here you are.”
I must have missed something that happened while I was talking with Jessica, but I could always review the footage later if necessary.
“Your final question is upon you,” Willow continued. “You must now answer the question as a group. Remember, the clock is ticking.”
Willow read off the question, one regarding pack laws, and the women conferred briefly. I paid attention to this part, as I was interested in what they had to say.
From what I could tell, it came down to Elizabeth and Casey arguing over the answer. Elizabeth stood her ground, not giving in to Casey’s opinion, which seemed to infuriate Casey. Her face turned bright red, her teeth bared, and, for a moment, I wondered if the competition might fall apart into a one-to-one challenge.
Holly and Ashely stood with Elizabeth as she gave their final answer, which was the end of their round.
“Thank you, ladies,” Willow said. “Your segment of the competition is over. If you will, please follow the assistants to the holding room, we will now move on to the second group.” Then she turned to the audience. “There will be a fifteen minute break while we reset the game for the next round.”
“What do you think?” Jessica asked.
“I think it would be a great time to grab a snack. Can I get you something?”
“That’s not what I meant. What do you think about the first group?”
I knew that, but it was too much fun messing with her. “I think Casey wasn’t much of a team player.” At least from what I’d seen. “Their final answer was pretty good.”
“Elizabeth studied law,” Jessica reminded me. Somehow, I’d already forgotten that. “So it should have been.”
“Good point.” I rubbed my hand over my jaw. “It will be interesting to compare their times to the next group. So, how about that drink?”
Jessica gave me an exasperated look, but I saw the hint of a smile curving her lips. “Water will be fine.”
“Water it is.” I left her there while I went to the table of refreshments that had been set up on the far side of the balcony. No one else had joined us up here, most who’d come to observe electing to sit down by the screens. I grabbed two bottles of water, plus a plate of cookies, and then rejoined Jessica.
“I thought you might want a snack, too.” Holding out the plate, I gave her a wink and was rewarded with a genuine smile.
“Thank you, Garrett. That was considerate.”
A few minutes later, the second round began. The team consisted of Hayley, Jasmine, Kelly, and Stephanie—none of whom I’d spent enough time.
Throughout their round, I continued chatting with Jessica, picking her brain about her knowledge of pack law and politics, even though she continuously reminded me that I should be paying attention to the competition.
By the time the third round began—Mya, Kenna, Melissa, and Reagan this time—I was pretty over it all, ready for the afternoon to end.
“Remember, you’ll be selecting a woman from the winning group to take on your first one-on-one date,” Jessica said.
“Hmm.” I stretched my arm out behind her chair again and shifted my weight to face her. “And what might you have planned for this date?”
“What do you want it to be like?”
“I enjoyed that dinner date you arranged for the two of us outside a couple weeks ago. It was pretty romantic.” Why did I get such a kick out of teasing her? Was it the way she wouldn’t quite meet my eyes or how her cheeks always tinged with pink when I embarrassed her? I couldn’t be sure, but I did get the reaction I was expecting.
“It wasn’t a date!” she protested. “It wasn’t supposed to be romantic. Or at least, not in the way you’re implying.”
I grinned. “Just what do you think I’m implying?”
