Page 27 of Second Chance Savior

“The bet was your idea.”

“Because I thought—” Her mouth snapped shut.

“Thought I’d lose?”

Her glare was pure murder. She started to turn away. But before she could, I said, “How about this. Another bet. Double or nothing.”

Her head turned. “Terms?”

Ross threw his hands in the air. “You two are ridiculous!”

I walked over to her, closing the distance between us. “Dish dutyandI’ll do whatever you want for a whole day if you win. I’ll be your servant.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do I have to do?”

“Let me help you with your positioning. I noticed some things when you were shooting. You did great, but I think you could’ve scored better. You could’ve beaten me.”

For a moment, she said nothing. Her brow wrinkled in confusion. “Is this a trick? Why would you want to help me?”

“I’m just a good guy like that. If you score better after my suggestions, then you win.” It would be so satisfying to hear her admit that I’d taught her something. She’d have to admit I’d helped her, or she would lose the bet.

“And if your suggestions are crap? Then I lose. How does that make sense?”

“If you lose, then you still have dish duty, but nothing else changes. You have no downside.”

She rolled her eyes. “This bet is dumb. But whatever. I’m in.”

Charlie’s sisters were losing interest. I heard themchattering to themselves. As for my brother, I felt his persistent glare, demanding to know what the heck I was doing.

I had something to prove. But even I wasn’t sure what it was anymore.

Sweat beaded Charlie’s upper lip. Only a few feet separated us, but I stepped even closer. She inhaled and started to move back.

“Aim,” I said softly. “Show me your form.”

She turned away from me. Lifted her arms to nock a fresh arrow and pull the bowstring back.

“Okay. Hold it there.”

Again, I moved toward her. Inches away now. Her back moved as she breathed. I touched her elbow where it jutted out. Her skin was soft. “Lift a little here.” She did as I’d asked. I bumped her shoes with mine, urging her to stand a bit wider. “Back straighter.”

When my fingers touched her lower spine, Charlie made a tiny sound in her throat. Low enough that no one else would have heard it.

Copying her sideways stance, I stood directly behind her. All I could see was Charlie. The tiny hairs on her neck. The freckles of her exposed shoulders beneath her tank top. My shirt brushed hers. Heat flooded my lower belly.

I had never been this close to her before. It wasn’t bad. Not bad at all.

“How does that feel?” My lips were right beside her ear, so I didn’t need to speak up.

Her throat moved as she swallowed. “Good.”

“Yeah?”

She shifted her head. Looked back at me. Our eyes found each other.

Suddenly, her fingers slipped. Lost contact with the arrow. In a split second, it had flown wide.

Someone screamed.

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