Page 13 of Crash with Me

“Choose yourself.”

She releases my hand and we face forward. With our eyes covered, I’m even more aware of everything around us. I can practically feel people staring, and I can definitely hear their whispers.

But, I’m also even more in tune with Heidi. I can feel the warmth flowing from her body into mine. And I’m keenly aware of her scent. It’s the vanilla body wash she uses paired witha sweet, citrusy spray she misted on herself before we left the room.

It’s the same smell I woke up with clinging to my skin this morning. I can feel myself growing thick and hard at the memory of her body pressed intimately against mine.

“Ready, contestants?” Stacey calls out. “Let’s go. Who is most likely to plan a romantic night in?”

I hesitate a moment and point at myself.

“Who is most likely to start an argument?”

Though I doubt this answer, I follow her earlier instructions and point at Heidi.

“Who is most likely to be late to a date?”

I point at her again.

“Who is most likely to cry during a movie?”

With a chuckle, I gesture to myself.

“Who said ‘I love you’ first?”

Swallowing past a sudden lump in my throat, I press my thumb against my chest again.

“And, who is most likely to break the other’s heart?”

My own heart hitches. I don’t have to guess the right answer on this one. I point at Heidi without a second thought.

Of course, it’s her. When it comes to us, she holds all the cards. And she doesn’t even know it.

“I think we have a clear winner here, folks. Contestants, you can remove your blindfolds.”

Tugging it from my face, I blink at the sudden brightness. I turn to Heidi who is doing the same. Our gazes meet, and she grins.

“How do you think it went?” I ask.

“I guess we’re about to find out.”

“Thank you all so much for playing,” Stacey says. “And now, please put your hands together for our winners: Seth and Heidi.”

My jaw falls open and Heidi gasps, throwing her arms around me. Mine instinctively come up to wrap around hers.

I bury my face in her long, auburn hair, breathing in the sweet smell of vanilla and grapefruit.

I’m vaguely aware of my dad and Kelly bickering about who said ‘I love you’ first, but I don’t give them another thought. I’m too damn surprised, and too happy holding the woman in my arms to care.

“You think you’re happy now”—Stacey wiggles her eyebrows—“wait till you find out what you’ve won.”

FIVE

HEIDI

For the second time today, a stranger removes a blindfold. This time, it’s to reveal, well, paradise.

“Oh my God,” I breathe. “It’s… beautiful.”

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