Page 19 of Clued in to Love
“Hey, we’re losing you.” Hugo stopped and waited for Olivia to catch up.
“I’ll get a spot in line,” Malik said over his shoulder. “Otherwise, it’s going to be a long wait.”
“So, how you doing?” Hugo asked after Malik was out of earshot.
“Fine. Why?” Olivia’s teeth chattered slightly from the cold as she willed her brain to come up with anything clever to say to Malik. Should she bring up Byron? Was that too obvious?
Hugo tugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Your guy showed up. I can’t believe you’re not freaking out.”
“Me? I don’t freak out,” Olivia lied, feeling grateful for the warmth of his coat but confused about why Malik was suddenly down to participate in something so childish. She had to play this cool. “What did you tell him about the hunt, though?”
“Not much. Just that he was welcome to join our team, and it should be fun.” Hugo sounded casual, but Olivia could tell he was holding something back.
“Hugo, did you tell him about the money?” Olivia stuffed her frozen fingertips into his coat pocket as they crossed the street. The line for coffee already wrapped halfway down the block. “You two aren’t even friends. I don’t get it. Why is he here?”
“It’s cool. Don’t sweat it.”
Olivia felt a folded piece of paper in Hugo’s pocket. She instinctively removed it, tugging it out of his jacket and holding it to the light.
Hugo snatched it out of her hand. “Oh, crap, those are my notes for the chem final. I can’t lose them.” He crumpled the paper in his palm.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to rifle through your pockets,” Olivia replied. “I take it that studying for the final isn’t going well. Do you need help?”
“Maybe. I’m going to a study session tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how it goes.”
They caught up with Cass and Malik.
Olivia noticed Hugo carefully fold the piece of paper and put it in his jeans pocket. She made a mental note to text him tomorrow. He’d been struggling with chemistry and needed adecent grade for his college applications. She knew the test material well. He had done her a solid by inviting Malik, even if he wouldn’t admithowhe’d convinced Malik to come. Now she needed to return the favor.
THIRTEEN
MARISSA
“Let’s go get our passports,” Marissa told William, wishing she could pinch herself and wake up from this bad dream.
“Already on it.” He proceeded to remove a glossy pamphlet from his coat pocket. “We’re checked in, too, Snow Princess.” He contorted his lips. “Hmmm. I can’t decide if I like that or Grazing Table better.”
“How about neither?” Marissa clenched her teeth and ignored his devilish grin. William Graff was the kind of guy who thrived on getting a reaction out of people. Marissa had news for him: She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Not once in the next ten days would she allow herself even the slightest hint of a reaction to anything that came from his lips.
But those lips were seductive.
Like seriously sexy.
She had to admit that much.
As were his eyes. They were deep brown but flecked with gold. The kind of eyes she could get lost in.
And his hair was so dark and luscious. She could picture running her fingers through it as he gently kissed her neck.
Stop it.
Focus.
She glanced at the stage and realized there were very few teams left. They needed to get moving. “What’s our first clue?”
William scanned the app, returning his attention to their task. “It looks like we have ourselves a little riddle.”
“Read it,” Marissa encouraged him, the jittery feeling returning to her body.
