Page 62 of Sven

“What if we try this?” She heard Murphy behind her as he changed two letters on the answer key.

“That’s it!” Natalie exclaimed as the balloon next to them started inflating until it popped, giving them another key word.

The piece of paper floated into the air as Murphy snatched it, but not before Sven got a piece of it. It tore as the two grown men fought over it like little babies.

“Good job. You fucking ripped it,” Sven spat to Murphy.

“I did not! Natalie and I were working on this puzzle. You’re the one making this whole thing fucking weird.”

“Stop. Both of you. For two grown men, you’re acting even more childish than my room full of kindergartners,” Natalie admonished.

Cash huffed behind them. “I’m sorry, man,” he said to Taylor, “but can you please just get us out of here. We can finish celebrating somewhere not locked in with these two.”

Taylor nodded and eyed Evie, and the two of them got busy and sprang them from their room in ten minutes.

As Taylor and Evie worked their magic getting them out of this room, Natalie found Alice.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“You have nothing to apologize for. Sven was the one showing his ass, but if I’m being honest, it was entertaining.”

“I don’t know what got into him.”

“Have you guys like . . . ya know . . . hooked up yet?”

“What?! No!” she said about two octaves out of her normal vocal range.

Alice just gave her a doubtful smile. “Okay.”

“I’m being serious,” Natalie protested.

“I believe you. I’m just saying that I think you will soon.”

“No way. I’m his nanny.”

“You say that like it isn’t a whole ass trope in romance books.”

“Got it,” called out Evie.

Next thing, the attendant appeared and congratulated them and let them out of the room. Much to Natalie’s relief, everyone else seemed excited that they got out in a good time, but she was seething.

She made her way out to her car, and Murphy followed. “I had a good time tonight. I was going to ask you out, but it kind of seems like there is something going on with you and Sven.”

“No, there?—”

“See you at home,” Sven said as he swooped in and put his arm around her shoulder, which she did not like.

Right? She hated it because he had been a giant ass to show up here and an even more giant ass during the fun.

She shrugged it off and got mad at herself for missing his warmth and scent.

“I’ll see you later, Natalie,” Murphy said with a small smile before turning and walking over to his own car.

Natalie turned to Sven with narrowed eyes. “What is wrong with you?”

He licked his lips and shook his head. “I just don’t want you seeing him.”

“Well, I wasn’t. But I guarantee none of your hockey friends will even speak to me now. Missions accomplished,” she said before getting in her car.

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