Page 65 of Bookworm

I gave a mental groan. "Seriously,it's not what you think. I—"

"Hey, Charlotte!" Shonda Lawrence came up and stopped in front of me. She was the girls' soccer team captain, and I didn't think we'd spoken since fifth grade. "Ijust wanted to say congrats."

"Thanks, Shonda," I said baffled."But what's the congratulations for?"

"You won the bet," she said, throwing a grin over her shoulder at Bo. "Noone evenknew you were playing. But there's no denying the proof."

"I don't—"

"The bet about Bo." Shonda rolled her eyes with a laugh. "The video clearly showsyou two together. I didn't even know he was your boyfriend!"

I was stunned speechless.

"Andyou," she said, turning to point a finger at Bo. "You should've just told us you were already taken. It would've made things a lot easier."

Her eyes landed back on me.

"So, we'll get you your prize soon," she said. "But yeah, I just wanted to congratulateyou."

Finally finding my voice, I said, "I think there's been a mistake. I didn't win anything."

Shonda frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not…well, we're not together," I said, gesturing between myself and Bo.

"You're not?" she repeated then crossed her arms.

I shook my head.

"That would mean the HUBS is still on."

I could've sworn I saw Bo's eye twitch at that.

"The what?" I asked.

"HUBS," she said, "you know, Hook Up with Bo Stryker.It's what we decided to call the bet."

"Wasn't aware it had a name," I murmured.

"Me neither," Bo growled.

Shonda's gaze moved from me to Bo and back again. "Well,if that's true, then the bet's still going. You guys seriously aren't a thing? I would've sworn you were.I mean, that kiss…"

I knew exactly what she meant. Thekiss had been fire, but it was only Bo trying to help me save face in front of Leif. I was about to tell her that, getting ready to explain the whole misunderstanding, when Bo stepped up next to me.

"We are a thing," Bo said.

My eyes snapped up to meet his.

"My girl's just shy. Doesn't like all the attention."

My heart stuttered over the wordsmy girl. Plus, the way he was looking at me was…different. Softer somehow, more tender. Heleaned down and pressed a kiss to my temple, stealing my breath.

Bo's mouth moved lower, and he whispered in my ear, "I need your help, Kent."

I swallowed.

"Please, Charlotte," he added.

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