Page 33 of Half Baked

I’m just putting the cap back on my dry erase maker and confirming with Wren when the buzzer sounds.Animals dressed as humans. He got it right again.

“Last question, ladies and gents, and there is some flexibility with the wording,” the moderator announces excitedly. “What is a lobster?”

Tripp glances around the table. “There is flexibility with that?”

Ivy leans over and whispers the answer in his ear, eliciting a smile that fills his face. I hear him whisper back, “So you’re my lobster?” and watch her nod with a smile of her own.

I’d love to have what they do. But right now, I have a competition to focus on. I scrawl out my definition of the pop culture reference and look up to see Hayden watching me with a fixed gaze. Did he write down an answer?

The buzzer sounds, but all I can focus on is how I’m pinned under the intensity of his hypnotizing stare. He never breaks eye contact with me when he turns his board.A person you’re meant to be with forever, he wrote.

“Do you believe in lobsters, Poppy?” Hayden asks in a low voice.

My pulse quickens from his sultry tone, heat pooling low in my core. For the second time today, he has me completely weak at the knees. I need another drink.

He hasn’t looked away, and when the corner of his lip tips up, I know it’s time to get out of here.

“Another round?” I ask to no one in particular, hoping they don’t catch how breathy I sound.

“Yeah, I’d say one more,” Wren agrees, looking curiously between him and I. When a murmur of agreement passes through the table, I stand and bolt for the bar.

Hayden spent the night watching me like a hawk. I’ve spent the night trying to avoid the moments I get caught in his charged trap I can’t seem to pull away from. These little spells are foreign. I don’t know how to act if we’re not fighting, it’s all we’ve ever done.

“Can I get you a drink?”

I look up, expecting to see a bartender. But there’s no one in front of me. Turning, my attention catches on the man at my side. He must be a tourist, because I don’t recognize him from town. The man flashes me a sparkling smile, awaiting my response.

“Oh, no thanks. I’m getting a round for my group.”

“Maybe you can spare a few minutes to have a drink with me before heading back to them?” he replies hopefully.

“I wouldn’t want to keep them waiting,” I try again casually to deter him.

“What’s your name?” he asks, clearly not taking my subtle hints.

“What can I get for you?”

Saved by the bartender. I turn towards the familiar face and order another pitcher for my table, hoping this guy can take a hint now that I have my back to him. When the tourist leans in closer, pressing his shoulder against mine, I conclude that he didnotget the hint.

“One drink, red. Give me time to get your name,” he requests, leaning in so his lips are near my ear.

“Red?” I struggle to keep my voice even. This guy is bold. “If you’re into redheads, which by the way I’m not one, there are probably plenty in this place tonight. I’m not sure if you noticed, but it’s practically wall to wall women.”

“I’m not interested in them though,” he purrs. Reaching out, he trails his hand down my upper arm, eliciting shivers across my skin. And not the good kind.

“I suggest you remove your hand before I remove it for you,” a deep voice growls behind us.

I spin, knocking against Hayden who steps closer and wraps me in his protective embrace.

“We were just talking,” the tourist scoffs, lifting his hands in the air. He’s wide eyed and backing away.

Tilting back, I steal a glance at Hayden’s face. His ocean blue eyes are stormy and unrelenting. I would hate to be on the receiving end of that look. And when he drops his focus to me for the briefest second, and the furious blue softens to the familiar calm ocean I know, my heart flutters.

He tightens his arm around me and flashes back to hurricane force anger as he looks at the man and says, “It didn’t look like talking.”

“Sorry, I’ll let you be,” the tourist mumbles, looking anywhere but at Hayden. Long gone is his sparkling smile and heady confidence, replaced by genuine fear.

I relax against Hayden’s chest, watching my wannabe suitor retreat. It shouldn’t be so sexy to have a man marking his territory.

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