Page 68 of Darn Knit All

“And then there were five,” Theo murmured as we watched Bec and Meg exit the room.

We were dismissed and I helped Theo from the couch, supporting him as we moved through hotel toward the elevator bank.

We ran into our newly eliminated competitors in the lobby.

“Congratulations!” Bec said, swiping at her tears. “You deserved it.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry you were eliminated.”

She made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t be. Swimwear isn’t in our wheelhouse. It sucks, but we can hold our heads high and say we tried. Right, Meg?”

Meg nodded. “It’s as much about the challenge as it is about the win.”

“That’s what people who lose would say.”

I gasped, turning to see Keeley and Jude approaching.

“Geeze,” Theo muttered against my ear. “Who pissed in their cereal?”

They reminded me of ice royalty—regal and aloof with Nordic features and ice-blonde hair. They were dressed alike in their signature high fashion suits they’d made from rich fabric hand-threaded by monks—or so I’d heard.

Keeley sniffed as she stood near us, staring down her nose at Theo.

I bristled, not liking this interaction one bit.

“Leave it,” Theo warned gently. “They’re not worth the energy pennies.”

The elevator slid open, and we climbed into the car, shuffling to the back to make room for our fellow contestants. Theo stabbed the button for our floor then leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.

I bounced from foot to foot, willing the car to move faster. The silence inside felt deadly.

Keeley and Jude got off first, and we all sighed a breath of relief.

As they exited, I heard Keeley whisper a derogatory, ableist slur under her breath.

My head whipped around to pin her with a look. My anger rose, crashing with my need to protect Theo.

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” I barked, scowling.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I said nothing, little girl. Now run along so I can beat you tomorrow.”

Theo chuckled. “Beat Mai? Nah. This woman is gonna wipe the floor with you.” He squeezed my shoulders. “Come on, love. Let’s get you to bed. I want to celebrate your win.”

My anger took a brief back seat as Theo’s lips brushed my cheek, his insinuation clear. But then he stabbed at the close door button, chuckling as it slid shut on Keeley and Jude, and my rage rose red-hot once more.

“I cannot believe,” I growled. “How utterly, obnoxiously, outrageously, horribly?—”

“I think that’s enough descriptors,” Theo said lightly.

“—rude thatwomanis!”

“Have you heard the rumor about them?” Meg asked.

I shook my head, watching Theo like a hawk. He’d begun to sweat, his jaw tense as the elevator slowly rose toward our floor.

“Rumor has it Jude’s school flopped. They’re broke and need the money to dig them out of the hole.”

I winced. “That sucks for them.”

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