Page 126 of Stupid Matchmaking Love
“No, no. I’ll be right up. I’ll get a bucket from the front desk.”
“You’re sure? I don’t mind coming with you.”
I lift onto my toes and kiss him. “That’s sweet, but it’s fine. Keep the shower warm for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I start to walk away, but he tugs me back to him. The lobby’s empty except for us, but Rhett looks up anyway, as if to make sure the coast is clear.
He kisses me again, longer, and whispers, “Hurry upstairs.”
“Yes, sir.”
We peer into each other’s eyes for one more beat before I slip away and Rhett lightly smacks my ass. I whip around. “Watch it, mister.”
He lifts his hands in surrender. “Sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to offend.”
I’m still grinning like a fool when I get the bucket and head to the ice machine. I’ve just filled it and am rounding the corner, heading back to the elevators, when I run smack into—
“Jace.” I’m unable to hide the surprise in my voice. “Sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
He slides a hand down his dress shirt. “It’s fine. I was just heading out for a walk.”
“Oh? Is Holly not with you?”
He frowns like, Why would she be with me? “No. Is Rhett not with you?”
His smart tone makes my hackles rise. “Sorry. It was just a question. Good night.”
I move to brush past him when he grabs my arm. “Listen, Cristina, I’m glad I caught you alone. I wanted to apologize for the whole stalker thing. You know, what I said to Rhett when I first met him.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten, I’m just surprised you’re apologizing for it.”
“Why’s that?”
“Let’s just say apologizing isn’t your strong suit.”
He frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means exactly how it sounds—like you and apologizing don’t go together.”
“Whatever,” he says with a scoff. “I try to do something nice and you can’t even accept it.”
I yank my arm from his grasp. “Why would I, when your girlfriend tripped me the other day, and the time before that, she yelled ‘owl’ when I was crossing the trust bridge? So why should I believe your apology when the two of y’all are probably plotting how to screw me and Rhett over during the next challenge?”
Jace rocks back like I’ve hit him in the chest. “Do you think Holly and I are real or something?”
My jaw falls. “Aren’t y’all?”
“No. Of course not.” His voice drops. “This is nothing more than a reality show, Cristina. Of all the things you’d be gullible enough to believe, I never thought you’d buy into a magical matchmaking competition. It’s just a big PR stunt to increase traffic to the resort. Didn’t Rhett tell you?”
My stomach drops. My brain, which was shooting dopamine into my bloodstream only moments ago, has gone still. All I can think to whisper is “Didn’t Rhett tell me, what?”
“God, Cristina. Don’t you listen? It’s like I just said—none of this is real. Do you really think a guy like Beau Collins would fall for Clarice? She’s like a hundred years old. You can’t believe that magic can find soulmates.”
“I mean, yeah, I kinda do.”
“Then you’re more gullible than I thought. And if you don’t believe me, ask your”—he makes air quotes with his fingers—“boyfriend how many rooms have been booked since we started.”
