bChapter /bb480 /b

    bMegan /bbgave /bba /bbquick /banswer. b“/bWe’re ying King’s Game.”

    Summer stretched out her hand. “Deal me in. I want to y toob./bb” /b

    “Sure,” Megan said with a smile. “Everyone, this is Ster

    York We met while studying abroad. She’s a friend of mine.”

    ?

    Since a new yer had joined, everyone reshuffled and drew fresh cards.

    The next round began.

    This time, Tyler drew the King card.

    He nced around the room and said, “Spade Three–pick someone of the opposite sex and confess your love.”

    “Who’s Spade Three?”n called out loudly.

    Everyone looked at their cards. Lena hesitated, then shyly raised her hand me,” she said softly.

    student answering a question in ss. “That’s

    Tyler was taken aback.

    He hadn’t expected that.

    It was a random pick.

    Lena was quiet and reserved, not the type who would enjoy this kind of dare.

    Not wanting to put her on the spot, Tyler offered quickly, “If it’s too awkward, I can change it. I’ll pick a new task.”

    “No need. I can handle it,” Lena said I calmly. “If everyone else can y, so can I.”

    She swept her gaze slowly around the room.

    Sean and Ian were both out of the question–taken by her closest friends. Even in a game, it would be inapp

    iate.

    Her best bet was probably her brother, Jordan. A confession to her own brother wouldn’t be taken seriously by anyone.

    But then her eyes drifted toward Liz, who was sitting right next to Jordan.

    Even if she was his sister, the dare involved confessing love. That would be ufortable for Liz, and Lena wasn’t the type to make her sister–inw feel awkward.

    She knew where to draw the line.

    That left only two options: Scott and Tyler.

    Lena’s gaze moved slowly between the two.

    Tyler felt a flicker of hope rise in his chest.

    Lena hesitated only for a moment before making her choiceb. /b

    She looked up and met Tyler’s eyes. Nervous and stumbling over her words, she said, “I… I like you. Will you go out with me?”

    Tyler couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. He knew it was just a game, but he still felt a surge of happiness.

    He replied with a warm voice and a gentle smile. “Yes.”

    Lena gave a small nod. “Thanks.b” /b

    Everyone took it bas /bjust another round of fun.

    bChapter /bb480 /b

    bThey /bassumed bTyler /bwas just ying along.

    bOnly /bbTyler /band Charlotte knew that he meant it.

    The game moved on to the next round.

    This time, Summer drew the King card.

    She gave Megan a meaningful look and said sweetly, “Ace of Hearts–give Sean a French kiss. Ten minutes.”

    The lively room instantly went quiet.

    Was this woman out of her mind?

    She really dared to call out Sean by name?

    ++b25 /bbBONUS /b

    Everyone had just seen what happened earlier on the deck between Sean and Thomas. How could she be this desperate to get herself in trouble?

    And there was no way she didn’t know Sean and Charlotte were a couple.

    For a moment, everyone exchanged awkward nces.

    The mood in the lounge turned tense.

    You could hear a pin drop.

    ???

    “Who has the Ace bof /bHearts? Come on, show yourself!” Summer said brightly, as ifpletely oblivious to the strange

    atmosphere.

    Megan suddenly remembered the way Summer had looked at her earlier that weird, knowing smile.

    A thought struck her.

    She flipped her card over and felt the back.

    There was a slight bump. A tiny crease.

    This card had been marked.

    And Summer had been the one to shuffle and deal.