Rookie mistake.
Not that it was a date.
Not that I went there with dark intentions.
I’m driving myself crazy as I quickly get ready. At this point, I’m not even surprised when the doorbell rings, and I go to check only to see another tracksuit in red.
Oh good, ADIDAS is sponsoring this chaos.
Awesome.
I grab the package along with the white shoes and put everything on, then go across the hall and stand in front of her door.
I’m not sure how long I stand there, but the door eventually opens, making whatever the hell I’m doing look way creepier than intended.
Ivy’s wearing an identical outfit, and she frowns at me. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Seconds.” I lie flippantly. More like minutes where I was trying to figure out what to say without getting kneed in the balls. “You ready?”
She shrugs. The door closes. So far, things aren’t starting off well.
We walk in silence to the elevator.
I don’t think things can get worse after yesterday, but her silence is damning. I hate it so much. I wish I could just poke her more, annoy her. Damn, I miss my stupid stapler; at least it made her look at me.
“Yo,” I choke out. “Did you sleep okay?”
She slowly cranes her neck to stare up at me. “Are you high?”
“No.” I wish. “I was just checking since it was so late and all.”
“It was like one in the morning, not that late, and we got to sleep in. Are you sure you’re ready to perform today?”
Perform. Perform. Perform. I would perform the hell out of her right now if she’d just let me and if I wasn’t trying to be a good person. “Yeah,” I finally say, voice cracking. “I’m on point.”
“Suuuure.” She rolls her eyes. “Look, I need this job, so don’t mess shit up for me, okay?”
“Someone’s prickly this morning,” I grumble.
“Someone got left hot and bothered last night, so forgive her for being prickly, you piece of—”
The elevator doors open. Max steps in.
“Perfection.” She quickly adds. “Male perfection, the best partner I’ve ever had, truly, I won the lottery, ha, ha.” She elbows me so hard I gasp.
Max looks between us. “Are you both up to the third challenge?”
“Never better,” I choke, giving him a thumbs up.
He sniffs the air, then looks between us. “Hmmm, interesting.”
What the hell was that?
Ivy and I share a look.
Her eyes are wide.
Mine mirror hers.
Max turns back to look at us. “It’s a good partnership, yes, I think it’s a good one, might be a bit chaotic, but those are always the best ones.”
“Is he talking about us?” I mouth to Ivy.
She pinches my side.
I jerk in response.
Max chuckles his back to us as the elevator doors open again. “Come along little ducklings, or as I like to say, ’lings.’”
“I’m so confused,” I say under my breath.
Ivy loops her arm in mine like she needs an anchor as Max’s boat just sails off to sea. “Same.”
I’m not even mad about it as I hold her close and walk behind him to meet the rest of the teams in the lobby.
Anderson looks ready to punch me in the face when he sees my arm linked with Ivy’s, and Jude smirks like he knows our secret, like he knows we kissed.
What is this, middle school?
“Attention.” Dustin clears his throat and adjusts his bowtie about a dozen times before clapping his hands. “Today’s challenge will be a mash-up of the first and second challenges.”
“Does that mean death?” I whisper under my breath, earning another elbow from Ivy.
But seriously, does that mean death?
“Today is a wonderful day!” Max announces. It’s now that I realize he’s wearing this loud blue pinstriped suit along with shiny shoes and a hat like he’s ready to go to the Kentucky Derby.
Oh no, are we about to be horses?
And again, will we die?
“You will race,” Max announces. “And first to finish gets ten extra points; as of right now, Ivy and Jack are in first, with Ruby and Jude in second; those are the ones to beat. Are you ready to hear the next challenge?”
“Yes!” Anderson yells.
“Love the enthusiasm!” Max points. “Dustin, give him an extra point for the yell.”
“Yes, sir.” Dustin dabbles on his iPad.
How is this even fair?
“Anyway…” Max chuckles. “As you know, we have products for the hotels you’ve already had to try out. You’ll be using those products while also playing Honey, If You Love Me. A classic, classic nineties game. I think church youth groups were scandalous enough to even use them, right Dustin?”
Dustin rolls his eyes.
Max grins. “He was the captain of the Bible Squad.”
“It was Quiz Team,” Dustin mumbles. “And I still beat you.”
“Hah!” Max laughs. “Anyway…” He clears his throat. “The goal of the game is to get the person whose lap you’re sitting on to smile. And mind you, we’re all about a zero sexual harassment policy, so you don’t need to sit on the other person’s lap; not a requirement; we will have sensitivity gamers for each team to make sure you’re comfortable. We don’t want any lawsuits, so please use your imaginations; how could you possibly make the person, your enemy, your partner—smile.”