Page 52 of Catch and Release Groom

We’ll be discussing punctuality later, however.

Captain Johnson released a small, exasperated noise as he elbowed the extra-long cord that immediately swung forward again. Feedback screeched and self-corrected as he lifted the microphone to his bushy salt-and-pepper moustache. “Can you tell us what Emma Jean wore on your first date?”

Ah yes, the other reason she could justify her and Margot’s side bet. No matter how many times she or Easton corrected the captain on her name, he continued to mangle it.

“That’s easy,” Easton said. “Strappy tank top, white with tiny red flowers that matched her fingernails and toenails. Cutoff shorts, flimsy sandals, and a silver toe ring.” He smoothed a hand over his beard and aimed his sexy grin her way. “At first, I even tried to convince myself I was so fixated on her outfit because she wasn’t properly dressed for being in the Talladega woods, much less a day of fly fishing.”

“Fishing?”The muttered question came from Bethany, the woman from the hot-air balloon who’d been upset on Imogen’s behalf that her “husband” had turned their honeymoon into bring-your-wifey-to-work week.

“I get it.” Easton shrugged a shoulder. “Right now, y’all are wondering somethin’ I’ve wondered myself. How on earth did I manage to snag someone as incredibly smart, funny, and beautiful as she is by taking her on a date like that?”

“Hey,” Imogen cut in with a smile. “Fishing can be more romantic than you’d think.” She winked, with more participation from her left eye than intended. “Especially if you’re with the right person.”

While her reply was for the game, it also wasn’t. It was almost as though she needed to state the truth aloud to recognize it, and the realization shook loose a few more emotions, as confusing as they were illuminating.

Before Easton could register any longing, Imogen quickly flipped her card to reveal their answers matched. “He was wearing a vest with all the pockets clothing manufactures neglect to put in women’s clothing, and big ol’ waders, if anyone’s curious.”

“So, basically what he’s wearing now?” Again from Bethany, and while Imogen might’ve judged similarly mere days ago—although she kept such remarks inside her head—chemistry accounted for a lot.

Enough that factoring in something as insignificant as style, a difference of opinion, or several of the other attributes she’d once considered pertinent to happiness seemed preposterous. While at the same time, she loved—er, very much adored—those things about Easton. Found them absolutely irresistible.

Which meant basing her decision to not walk down the aisle on a lack of sexual compatibility might not have been so foolish, after all.

“Mmhmm,” Imogen said, glancing around Captain Johnson and his unwieldy wire, and giving an exaggerated bite to her lower lip. “I had half a mind to insist he wear the same sexy getup when we exchanged our vows, too.”

Under the cover of the table, Margot extended a fist for Imogen to bump.

She and Constance were up next, and when they answered correctly as well, Imogen returned the gesture.

Bill didn’t remember what Judith wore, only that she was the prettiest woman he’d laid eyes on in a very long time. It’d earned him “aww”s from the other contestants, if not any points.

“This next question is a bit on the naughty side.” Captain Johnson fanned his face with the pages of stapled-together questions. “Since we like it both ways”—he waggled his unkept eyebrows—“we’re going to make it an all play, with everyone jotting down their answers right here and now. It allows each team to double their points, too, which means it’s still anyone’s game.”

Imogen’s stomach floated up to crowd her rib cage and, since her heart didn’t have enough room to jackhammer away anymore, her pulse quickened and throbbed.

Whackwent the thick cord against the edge of the table, causing a couple of people to jump. The captain pinned Birdie with a grin that was likely supposed to be sultry but held a hint of constipation, not looking away as he raised the microphone. “Animals are known for their bizarre mating rituals. If your spouse were an animal, which would they be?”

It wasn’t even her turn yet, and Imogen felt herself blush. Though that was nothing compared to the inferno within. Curiosity acted as kindling, sending the flames higher and higher.

As the rest of the couples exchanged tawdry glances, jealousy panged. How could she possibly declare herself a winner if she only ever got to speculate on what it’d be like to have sex with Easton Reeves?

The jury might still be out on whether a lack of passion was worth ending a relationship, but Imogen planned on gathering enough evidence to judge for herself. Not that it’d change anything, as she’d also come to the realization that Brett never fully honored who she was, which had played a major role in the doubts that’d plagued her for months.

Laughter broke through her thoughts, returning her to the present, although she hadn’t heard the answer that’d caused the uproar.

Captain Johnson zigzagged tables, and her nerves stretched thin as he stopped in front of her and extended the microphone. Her internal temperature spiked, and if she wasn’t afraid of getting accused of cheating and flashing Easton the answer, she’d use the posterboard as a fan.

“Um, this was a tricky one.”Gah, why was she expounding? “All that time spent in nature has put himveryin touch with his beastly side, that’s for sure.”

So much for teasing Easton—she was getting breathless thinking about him in his outdoor gear, and how he charged into the wilderness not only for fun, but to help people. Then she did the very thing she’d resolved not to do anymore and second-guessed her answer. “I’ve also called him a stubborn jackass before. On our first date, nonetheless.”

That quip earned her a few chuckles, and she exhaled, exhaled, exhaled.

Across the way, amber eyes locked onto hers.

With a twist of her wrist, she flipped over her posterboard. “In the end, I went with a bull. He’s probably going to claim it’s my fault for waving around a red flag, but if it’s all me, then why is he so quick to charge?”

Easton’s mouth twitched, along with one dark eyebrow, and her heart galloped the way his hoofbeats would be doing if he were the large animal she’d named.

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