Paradise Lost (Private 9)

"Who're they from?" Taylor asked, her eyes bright.

My first thought was of Josh. Had Josh talked to Ivy and explained that he still loved me? My heart beat wildly with curiosity as I picked up the card, not daring to imagine what it might say. The handwriting was unfamiliar, and my eyes went directly to the signature. I forced a smile. "They're from Upton," I said, silently scolding myself for letting my thoughts turn to Josh. That was over. I was moving on. And clearly Upton was more than willing to help me speed up the process.

"How did he pull this off?" Tiffany asked, lowering her nose to the nearest arrangement. "We just left him. Does he have the florist on speed dial?"

"Dear Reed," I read. "Please accept these flowers as my sincere apology. I promise that tonight, you will have my full and undivided attention, if you so choose to allow it. Love, Upton." My heart fluttered.

"Wow. He really likes you," Taylor said, fingering the soft petals of a huge white lily. She took a deep breath and let her hands slap against

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her thighs. "Well, that's it. I'm officially dropping out of the Upton Game."

"Really?" I said.

"What's the point?" Taylor asked, lifting her arms to take in the entire room. "You have his full and undivided attention."

Kiran sighed audibly. She took a lipstick out of her clutch and leaned toward the mirror on the dressing table. "Guess it's Graham Hathaway for me."

"Poor guy has no idea what he's in for," Noelle joked.

"No, he does not," Kiran agreed, pressing her lips together.

The flutter in my heart took on a whole new excited rhythm. My competitive side couldn't help but feel a bit proud. Apparently I had won. Upton, the most coveted and sought-after guy in their group, was all but mine.

Unless, of course, Poppy had anything to say about it.

But in the past few hours, I had taken Tiffany, Kiran, and Taylor out of the game. Three very worthy contenders. If I could intimidate them, I could intimidate anyone. Even Poppy Simon.

Suddenly, I couldn't wait until tonight.

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CHAPTER 17 YIN AND YANG

Upton wasn't kidding. All night he danced with me, sat down with me when I needed a break, ran to get me drinks the second I mentioned I was thirsty, and got me chips to munch on when I was hungry. All night I ignored the hostile stares of Sienna and Amberly and Paige. It was like I was Cinderella, and they were the ugly stepsisters watching me steal the prince's attention. It was perfect. But not just because I had won some stupid game. That felt good, of course. But it wasn't about that. It was about Upton. Me and Upton. It was as if we were in our own little world where no one else could touch us.

That is, until Poppy arrived.

Upton and I were on the outskirts of the dance floor--basically a lacquer platform set atop the sand and surrounded by pillow-topped benches--when Poppy walked in, turning heads. She wore nothing but a skimpy white bathing suit under a see-through gauze miniskirt, and the thin woven straps of her heeled sandals wound all the

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way up her toned calves. Her first stop was at the DJ booth, where she whispered something to the shirtless spinner, then grabbed his microphone.

"Where're my girls? " she shouted at the top of her lungs, throwing her arm in the air. Sienna, Paige, Amberly, Kiran, Taylor, Noelle, and Tiffany--all of whom were in the center of the dance floor--hollered in response, throwing their arms up as well. "Ladies! It's time we show the rest of these slags how to party!"

Poppy jumped down from the DJ booth and danced her way through the crowd, pressing up against every hot guy as she made her way over to her friends. Girls danced with her, and guys eyed her appreciatively. Clearly Poppy knew everyone on this island, and everyone was stoked to see her. Everyone but me.

"Noelle wasn't kidding. Poppy definitely knows how to make an entrance," I said. My black mini-dress suddenly felt like a garbage bag in comparison to her outfit.

Upton glanced over his shoulder at her. "Yes, but we don't care about her, remember?"

Perfect response. My heart turned to goo. I grinned and reached up to wrap my arms around his neck. "Oh, I remember."

Upton smiled and gave me a questioning glance, as if he were afraid to misread the obvious signal I was broadcasting:

Kiss me! Kiss me! Kiss me!