Page 16 of Siren's Game

Holy fuck.

I lean my back against the wall and let my head fall against it, taking a deep breath. Part one of the mission, done. Only about twenty more to go.

I lift my phone and find my chat with Asher. So far, I couldn't find it in me to save his number, so it's still my only chat with an unknown number.

Kayla: Millie is on her way.

I feel like a spy. Maybe I should have written something like ‘The Eagle has landed.’

God, how I want to be a fly on the wall for their meeting. Maybe I should have set up a camera so I can play the video on their wedding day as well.

I jump when my phone immediately buzzes in my hand.

Unknown number: Luca's on his way, too. Where are you?

I take a deep breath and let out a sigh just as deep. Now comes the part that I'm not excited for at all. It's called Asher.

Maybe if it goes well, we can just . . . leave them to it? Why need a double date when they're happy as clams by themselves? I can forego food at Fantasia, as amazing as it looks, if it means I won’t have to hang out with Asher.

After taking a deep breath and rolling my tense shoulders, I type out my reply to him.

Kayla: Room 431

Unknown number: I'll be right there

With another sigh, I lift myself off the wall and decide to wait in the hallway. I hope this whole theatre is going to be worth it. I would be so annoyed if Millie sticks to her ‘I’m not looking to date’ spiel even after enduring a double date with Asher for her.

So I lean my back against the door and look at the ground as I wait for the inevitable. It arrives in the form of heavy footsteps echoing against the bare walls.

"Well, hello there, Sweetheart." His voice drenched in amusement makes my toes curl.

"I'm not your 'Sweetheart,'" I answer without looking up. At least he managed a greeting. "This isn't a real date. Tone it down."

"That's where you're wrong." I finally force myself to look up at him. Then further and further. Shit.

Logically, I knew he's tall, but being almost six foot myself, it doesn't happen often that I find someone who's a full head taller than I. Even with high heels.

Honestly, it’s freaking me out a bit.

"How am I wrong?"

"It's a double date and we're going on it. Doesn't get much more real than that." He grins and leans against the wall next to me.

"Whatever," I say and roll my eyes. I'm not wasting my breath arguing with him. "Let's get this over with."

"Na-ah!" He stops me with an outstretched arm as I try to walk past him. "Not yet."

"If I tell Millie to go on ahead now, we can leave via the other exit," I say with a raised eyebrow, but he shakes his head.

"We should give them a proper head start."

I shake my head and take a step back, pulling out my phone anyway. Whatever we're doing, I'm still telling Millie to go ahead so she and Luca can spend some quality time alone.

Kayla: Sorry, the call will take a bit longer, why don't you go ahead?

"Short and concise. I like it." I shriek and jump when I hear Asher's voice right next to my ear, his breath blowing right into it.

"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?"

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