Page 42 of The Ruse

And I was so happy that she accepted the role because it was so fun having her here this weekend.

The whole afternoon and evening had been fun, actually.

We’d played games, had a great meal, and even though it had only been a few hours, I felt a lot closer to my castmates than I had before.

I was usually pretty slow to warm up to people I didn’t know very well. Took my time coming out of my shell, so it felt good to feel a camaraderie with the people I’d be spending most of my afternoons with for the next two months.

The fact that Nash and I had flirted and made hot eye contact all night didn’t hurt, either.

Okay, so maybe those had been my favorite parts of the night, since it gave me hope that he’d want the kiss I had planned just as much as I did.

I looked at myself in the mirror as I brushed my teeth.

Eek. I can’t believe I’m going to do this.

I never made the first move on a guy. Ever.

But then, I’d never liked a guy like Nash before. I’d always gone for the players. The bad boys. The alphas.

The guys who knew what they wanted and went after it.

The primal part of me had always craved a guy taking charge like that. But since it had never worked out with any of my last boyfriends, I hoped that things would turn out better with Nash.

After we were done, Cambrielle and I went back to the queen bed we’d be sharing tonight. Then I said, “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

“Yeah?” she asked, pulling her phone from her back pocket.

I nodded. “It’s now or never.”

She typed on her phone, and a second later, a swoosh sound signaled that the text had gone out.

“You better get outside, Juliet,” Cambrielle said. “Romeo will be waiting for you.”

I walked down the stairs on semi-shaky legs, my heart already beating a million beats a minute. There were a few guys and girls standing in the kitchen when I passed them, using a kettle to make hot chocolate.

I didn’t stop to say hi since I didn’t know how quickly Nash would be coming up from the basement where the boys were sleeping. And instead of going to the front door where I assumed Nash would wait for Cambrielle, I made a beeline for the back door.

Okay, you’re almost there, Elyse. Just do it. Don’t say anything. Don’t stall. Just go for it. He’s been waiting for this and will be happy to see you.

I paced by the back door for a second, trying to get the nerve to go outside. I was considering taking a few more deep breaths to calm my nerves when I heard footsteps on the deck outside.

Nash was already there.

It’s now or never.

There was no more time to waste. Just ten seconds of courage and I might have a boyfriend by the end of the night.

I quietly stepped out onto the porch. I’d expected to have to walk around the corner to see Nash waiting on the bench out front, but his tall figure was leaning against the outside corner of the cabin. He was facing the front porch light, his back to me.

He was wearing a beanie, which covered his short blond hair, but I was pretty sure it was Nash.

Who else would be on the porch in the freezing cold right now?

Nash slipped his phone into his back pocket—he was probably just checking Cambrielle’s text to make sure he’d read it right. Then he stood up straighter, like he might be planning to wait for her inside instead.

If I don’t go now, I’ll miss my chance.

Instead of hesitating any more, I made myself rush forward, my heart pounding in my ears. Before he could take another step toward the front door, I grabbed his arm and said, “Nash. Wait.”

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