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“That sounds highly insulting.”

“Emi, in the time I’ve known you, you’ve had your car keyed to shit and sprained your groin, both times with Maren.”

“As you’ve plainly seen, Maren is the troubled one. None of this is my fault.”

She slaps my leg again, mouthing for me to shut up.

“Get back to me in one piece with no problems and I’ll rethink my stance.”

“I’ll try,” I reply snidely.

“Gorgeous, lose the attitude.”

“I don’t have an attitude, but I do think I have plans tomorrow night and am busy.” As soon as I say it, I regret being so childish.

“Yeah, you have plans with me.”

“Maybe.”

“Damn, you’re cute.”

“I’m not cute! I’m being serious.”

“See you at five tomorrow.”

“Maybe,” I repeat.

“Do me a favor and bring that sass home with you.” He disconnects before I can respond.

“Ugh…” I drop the phone in my purse.

“How’d that work out for you?”

“Shut up.”

“Don’t chase him away quite yet.”

“I’m not chasing him away. I just don’t want to be known as trouble.”

“Emi, get real. He knows about your mom’s prayer circle. He’s seen you in action, blasting Oliver at the station, and he’s met our friends, all of this before he paid me a hundred dollars and asked you out. Two dates in and y’all have nightly sleepovers. You are who you are, and he seems to like your version of trouble.”

I think about what she’s said and the real reason for this trip. What would he do if he knew what we are up to?

“He told me to bring my sass home with me.”

“Well, that’s a good sign. Maybe you’ll finally get laid.”

“I know. Can we please make sure I don’t injure anything below the waist on this trip? “

“We can do that.”

“All right then, let’s get a game plan.”

“Twirl it to the right a little,” Maren instructs me, until I have the pen pointing in exactly the right direction. “Got it, I think it’s safe to come back to the room now, give them some privacy.”

I casually gather my magazine and phone, dropping them into my oversized bag, and adjust my fake square-rimmed glasses. Careful not to knock the pen as I leave, I pass the Jacuzzi where Cyndi Trek and her boyfriend are cozied up. My departure leaves them totally alone for the first time since they came down from their room.

We already have several pictures of them, but nothing evidential of cheating. However, it looks like we may get our lucky shot here. The instant I’m out of sight, I hear a girly giggle followed by a moan. By the time I make it to our room, Maren has the video streaming from the camera hidden inside the pen. It gets darker with nightfall, but the area is lit with dim in-ground lights that allow us great visibility. Cyndi and her boyfriend don’t disappoint, giving us everything we need. Their bodies fuse together, her back to the camera rocking up and down. His hands roam up her back, into her hair and pulling her to kiss them. The audio quality isn’t the best, but there are distinct grunts and groans.