Page 20 of Coincidentally Kismet

“Let’s go outside, and turn it down like half a notch, would ya?” He smirks at me, throwing it right back in my face, as he opens the back door and heads out with me nipping at his heels.

We both plop down at the patio table. It’s times like this I wish I had an ounce of chill. I wish that I could just be told to come out here without nearly having a panic attack, overthinking what Daveed could possibly have to tell us. My mom used to say that there was no reason to be nervous if you haven’t done anything wrong. That’s easy to say when you are a Perfect Polly, but for someone like me—not so much.

Daveed pushes his way out onto the patio, sashaying up to where we are seated and taking a load off in one of the chairs. He glances back and forth between Micah and me, like he is trying to assess how on edge we are before he unleashes whatever he’s going to say.

Steepling his hands in front of his mouth, he grins before saying, “Listen up. You two have been working hard for nearly a year. I never have to tell you where to be or what to do. Now, that does not mean you are perfect, but I do think you are ready for the next step.” He shifts in his seat, straightening slightly, then leaning toward us. “Luka and I spoke about it, and we’d like you to begin preparing for your final trials. Although I know you both already know what I expect, I placed instructions in your mailboxes. I have all the faith that you will pass and will be successful additions to our stylist team.”

“Thank you, oh my gosh, thank you. I am so grateful for the opportunity and won’t let you down.” I stand, leaning over to give him a tight squeeze.

“What she said. Thank you.” Micah follows this by giving him a hug as well.

Daveed stands from his chair, looking between us. “It’s five forty-five,” he announces, before clapping his hands together inone single clap. Micah and I stare at him. Are we supposed to know what that means?

“Get out of here. It means leave. Go celebrate or something, my darling future fairy godmothers. The work to pass these trials starts tomorrow, and as I am sure you are aware, there are plenty of late salon nights in your future.” With that, he walks away, heading back into the salon, as we stand gawking after him. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him send assistants home early. Let alone on a busy Thursday night after three straight days of back-to-back clients.

“Where should we go?” Micah asks, looking at me like I’d have a plan.

“Ummm...let me text Lo. She usually does a Thirsty Thursday trivia night somewhere. We could meet her and have a few drinks.” I grab my phone from my back pocket and send off a text.

“I’m not very good at trivia, but I also don’t have a life sooo...send me the details.” Micah heads inside to collect his things. I forward him the location Lo sends me and a text telling him to meet me at seven sharp at Tiki Tonga.

Palm trees sway with the evening breeze skating off the Gulf as flashing green and purple spotlights wave back and forth, lighting up the pavement at my feet. I’m standing outside of a very packed Tiki Tonga, waiting for Micah and Lo to show up. I told them both to arrive at seven, which apparently meant show up at seven fifteen and skate in at the last minute to sign up before trivia commences at seven thirty.

Maybe my mom wore off on me a little too much in the punctuality department. I remember her saying that the cowsweren’t going to feed themselves and asking how I would feel about waiting for my breakfast every morning. It didn’t make getting up and doing two hours of farmwork before school any easier, but I am chronically on time for everything now as a result.

“Wright? Is that you, standing all alone in the dark?” a familiar husky voice asks me.

“Rambo? What are you doing here?” I retort, as Will steps into the bar’s glowing entry light. I attempt to mask the eye roll I can’t help from happening—clearly he is just bound to be everywhere I am now.

“I have a feeling I am here for the very same reason you are. Trivia, right? Lo convinced Smith that we all needed to participate, and he twisted my arm.” Will shrugs while I curse out Lo internally.That meddling little shit wants me to think fate is playing a role here.She’s determined to make me run into him over and over. I’m going to have words with her, but I’m not going to let him know it bothers me this much.

“Ah, I see,” I respond. “Well, I hope you weren’t coming to win. I happen to be very good at knowing useless facts.” I shift from one foot to the other, bracing for whatever comeback he throws my direction.

“I remember.”

That’s it? That’s all he’s got?

“You don’t know anything about me, and let’s not pretend you do.” I let out a harrumph in frustration and defiance.

“Okay, Wright. Sure. I know nothing about you...You can tell yourself that, but it doesn’t make it true.” He smirks at me, heightening my annoyance.

“Well...since you apparently knoweverything, want to make a bet?” I should not be engaging with him at all. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him, which is to say not far. But, for reasons I can’t explain, I just need to drive him crazy.

“What kind of bet?” He looks at me cautiously, putting his hands into the back pockets of his light denim jeans. The ones I’m definitely not noticing accentuate his thick man-muscle thighs.

“Hmm...if I win trivia, you have to avoid all friend group activities that I could potentially be at for two weeks.” I don’t love the queasy feeling that rises in my belly at the thought of not seeing him, and I don’t understand why it’s even there. I can’t stand the smug smirks he gives me or how he always seems to be doting on his sister. He’s a jerk of the worst kind. A hot jerk, but still.

“That desperate to get rid of me, huh? What do I get if I win?” He shifts his baseball hat lower on his head, shading those piercing blue eyes, thankfully.

“What do you want?”Why did that come out so breathlessly? Stop it, body. We do not like him, we do not find him attractive in the slightest, I remind myself.

“Oh,there are so many things. Let me think of the best way to torture you.” Will touches his finger to his lips, and I’m overcome with jealousy that his finger is the one whispering over those full pillows.What the fuck is wrong with me.I need a drink or five.

“I’ve got it,” he says. “If I win, you have to sing karaoke tonight.” The stupid smirk is back in place. But he has no chance of beating me, so it’s fine.

“Deal. Too bad you won’t be hearing these pipes any time soon, Rambo. Best of luck to you.” I reach out to shake his hand and seal the deal, which is a horrible, no good, terrible idea. His palm is rough and callused as it rubs against mine. I do not want to like it, but I do. Warmth seeps into my belly, followed by a flurry of flapping butterfly wings. Thankfully, I spot Micah approaching and stop myself from feeling anything I shouldn’t be.

“I show up a few minutes late, and you already have a handsome suitor waiting for you? Your life is so hard, Cam.” Micah bumps his shoulder into mine before extending his hand to Will saying, “Nice to meet you, gorgeous. I’m Micah.”

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