Page 108 of Face Off

“I prefer that side.”

“You’ve preferred it since yesterday?”

I returned the flask to my pocket. “Eat your bagel, mami.”

Her teeth caught her bottom lip before she took another bite. “You’re going to be trouble today.”

“I’m wearing pastel green. I’m already being punished. I might as well break every fucking rule Bliss forgot to put in writing.”

Bliss struck the glass again. “Can everyone please sit down?”

“We are sitting,” Easton called.

“Then stop talking.”

“You asked us to sit.”

Aura rested her hand over his mouth. “She didn’t anticipate requiring separate instructions for you.”

Cade stood beside Bliss at the front of the room, one hand wrapped around his coffee while she arranged several color-coded folders across the table. Their shirts matched except for their titles, turning them into the happiest camp counselors in a horror movie.

Daniel, the Bennett brothers, Harrison, Elenore, and several Mercer relatives occupied the family table. The Bennetts had already ignored the seating assignments and dragged chairs into a crooked formation that blocked one aisle. Harrison studied the itinerary through his reading glasses while Daniel attempted to negotiate with Bliss about the barbecue.

“The chef can handle the grills,” Bliss told him.

“I’ve hosted these barbecues for years.”

“Exactly why we hired the chef,” Cade said.

Daniel pointed toward him. “You aren’t a Bennett yet.”

“I will be Saturday.”

“Then Sunday you can criticize my chicken.”

“I’ve already survived your chicken last Sunday. My opinion stands.”

“The outside was burned. The inside remained moist.”

“The inside remained alive,” Ryker said.

Bliss struck the glass a third time. “This is why we need teams.”

I leaned toward Charm. “No shirt can organize these people.”

“That’s why we have clipboards.”

“You’re bringing office supplies into a blood feud.”

“I brought backup pens too.”

“You’re terrifying.”

She smiled. “You like me organized.”

“I liked dismantling your organization.”

Color warmed her cheeks as she looked toward Bliss. “Pay attention.”