“That’s everyone,” Tonia says, ticking thest name off her clipboard. She looks up, gives her boyfriend and Céline a long, tight–lipped re, and sighs like she’s been holding her breath

    all day.

    “Did you see that?” I whisper to Lacey, who’s standing beside me and Liam. As expected, the red stic cup she’s holding smells like cheap beer up close.

    Lacey nods. “I’ll ask her about itter. They ditched me halfway again. I had to find my way back using straight–up muscle memory.”

    “Impressive,” Liam mumbles. “Didn’t know being buzzed improved your internalpass.”

    I pinch his arm. He barely reacts but throws me a sly smile. Lacey doesn’t notice a thing, just shrugs and takes another sip.

    “If I had to guess, I’d say Tonia’s finally figuring out that three’s a crowd,” Lacey says, wiping her lip with the back of her hand.

    I hum, distracted. Cameras are everywhere. I spot one guy pretending not to point his lens directly at us, but he’s not slick. The tension gets worse when I see Ba whispering to a very pretty, very annoyed girl with short hair – Margot, ording to Lacey.

    “You and Céline haven’t been hanging out much,” Liam says casually to Lacey, eyes on the

    group across the beach.

    I blink at him. Since when does he ask about their friendship drama?

    Lacey just sighs into her cup. “Yeah. She’s off chasing rich guys now. Apparently wants to make gold–digging her full–time career. I’m just the emotional support friend at this point.”

    dryly.

    ‘Doesn’t hurt that Tonia’s boyfriend is some crypto millionaire,” Liam says, a little too

    I tug on his arm with a small frown. He nces at me, sees the question in my eyes, and just like that his expression softens. He pulls me into his side with one arm and rests his chin on the top of my head for a second.

    “I’m good,” he says quietly. “Promise.”

    –

    b1/3 /b

    Aug

    I let it go. Mostly because he smells like bitter chocte and something warm I can’t name -and it’s messing with my brain.

    Lacey narrows her eyes at us. “You two are disgusting. Seriously. I need eye bleach.”

    “Alright! Cameras are rolling, let’s begin filming!” Ba ps her hands, voice way too bright for how pale she looks. I nce at her, and Margot–standing just behind–catches me Mooking. Her re could cut steel.

    “Your tasks will be passed around soon,” Ba continues. “Except for Lacey.”

    Lacey straightens. “Huh?”

    “Céline and Tonia are switching partners for tonight. So you’ll be paired with Tonia,” Ba adds, like it’s no big deal. But it is, clearly. Lacey stiffens, looks down at her empty cup, then huffs and chucks it into the bin.

    She doesn’tin though–just runs off toward Tonia, who looks like someone stole

    her phone and her will to live.

    Meanwhile, Liam and I are handed a cute little cue card. The second we read it, we both break intoughter.

    TASK 1: Tandem Bike Ride Around the Ind

    Twist: One of you is blindfolded. The other has to guide.

    Bonus points if you manage toplete Task 2 at the same time.

    TASK 2: Romantic Photo Scavenger Hunt

    Find clues along the route and recreate couple–themed photos.

    Twist: No peeking. Points are lost if the blindfoldes offb. /b

    “The universe hates you, love,” Liam says, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “How are we supposed to do this with you being allergic to effort?”

    “It’s not easy being thiszy,” I mutter.

    He grins and bumps my shoulder. “Good thing you’ve got me, I’m an excellent guide. And a very patient one too.”

    I raise a brow. “Patient?”

    “Painfully. He leans closer. “But only for you.”

    And just like that, the butterflies in my stomach start dancing again. Loudly.

    “I’ll be the judge,” Ba says, way too cheerfully. “There are cameras everywhere, so don’t worry about your screen time.”

    Somehow, that sounds more like a threat thanfort.

    “You have one hour to finish both tasks and get back. Don’t bete. I’ll be waiting.”

    bChapter /bComments

    Murielle “P’tit Poisson” Honoré

    Oh, they are so cute de

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