Page 31 of The Romance Game

“He didn’t!”

Ryan’s laugh picks up right where it left off.

“And you were voted most athletic, most likely to be late to graduation, and flirtiest,” I say.

“All true. Brando and I also got best bromance.”

“Yeah, you two were inseparable.”

“Unless I was with Royal...or you.”

The flutters start up again. Never mind. They haven’t stopped. Either that or I’m hungry too. “I was always jealous of you guys.”

“Is that why you also got voted brattiest?”

I playfully swat Ryan. “I was not. But I was a brat to you guys sometimes.”

“Let’s be real. All the time, but I had my moments too.”

“Like the time you threw my car keys into the sand at the beach bonfire.”

“To be fair, I didn’t want you to leave.”

“I don’t buy it.” He didn’t want me to leave? The only time it seemed like he wanted to be around me was when we’d make out in secret. Otherwise, he acted like I was an obnoxious little sister.

“True story. However, I didn’t have much foresight that it would result in me searching for them with you for five hours.”

He doesn’t mention what happened when everyone else gave up, leaving the two of us alone on the hunt.

“We were romantic-plicated,” I say.

“Were you thinking about the time I had you called out of the class and you thought you were in trouble then?—”

My laughter catches on the memory. “Then you and Brando cut class and drove off in your grandfather’s convertible, leaving me in the dust? No, I wasn’t thinking about that time.”

“I wanted you to come on a joy ride with us, but your cousin got ticked off when I said you were coming.”

“Brando didn’t want me around?”

“He was afraid you’d tell his parents and they’d make him work Friday night.”

“I was practically his partner in crime, why would I do that?”

He shrugs. “Maybe you weren’t the only one who was jealous.”

We take a fork along the path that leads toward the main building at the resort, the Galleon. The lantern light illuminates the fresh landscaping and Ryan’s apologetic smile.

Like finding sea shells that wash up on the beach, I pick up and turn over all of this new information as we walk up the few steps to the door. Ryan swings it open and lets me through first.

“Before I forget, you were also voted most likely to have a kid addicted to coffee.”

My heart skips a beat. “I was not.”

“Best laugh.”

“I can’t quite remember.”

“Prettiest smile.” Ryan’s voice massages the words.

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