Page 78 of Over the Edge

I pull out my phone and show it to her.

Fletcher

50 on the under

Winnie

50 it doesn’t happen

Annie

50 on the over

“Over and under?” she asks.

“Ten days.”

“They sure do think you act fast.”

“Between the two of us, I’m not the professional flirt.”

“Fair enough.” She heaves an exaggerated sigh. “And this prep is what exactly? Do I need to bring my pink hard hat?”

“No hard hat needed.”

“I do appreciate that you’ve accepted the possibility that I have one,” she says.

“Underestimating your ability to create a shock factor is just asking for trouble. But the festival prep is essentially a rehearsal in the high school gym. Vendors test out recipes and activities.” I start to explain one of Hartsfall’s most beloved traditions. “I’ll be rehearsing with Alina. Because most people are working the main festival, it's a way for them to enjoy everything. If Oliver and Quinn want to join, they can.”

“Speaking of them, I kind of invited them over for dinner tomorrow to make up for today,” she says as she nervously presses her finger into the top of her king and rocks it back and forth.

“You invited them to the house we’ve supposedly been staying in together for the last few weeks?” I ask to confirm we’re on the same page.

“Shit.” The realization hits her and I can see her scrambling for a solution.

“I’ll come over tomorrow with some of my stuff and we can make sure the story checks out.” It shouldn’t be too hard, especially since we’re just across the street from each other.

“Have I mentioned recently how I think you’d make an excellent spy?” She gives me a once over. Her eyes trailing from my face to the rumpled button down then all the way to the reset chessboard in front of us. “I mean, this is really selling it for me.”

“By some miracle, you’ve managed to restrain yourself for nearly a week.”

“Truly an act of God,” she agrees.

“That or everything has gone to shit.”

“Or that.” A smile brightens her face.

“Want to keep playing?”

“You teaching me a hobby that will give me a sense of intellectual superiority? Yes, please, keep talking dirty to me.” Her voice turns low and sultry. The way she messes with my head when I know she’s only joking is fucking criminal.

“Incorrigible.”

“Always.”

28

Evelyn

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