Page 45 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

“Okay, and the first trivia question is . . .” Ned reached for a brilliant red index card from one of the stacks in front of him and read, “‘My Funny Valentine’ has been covered by famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, but that wasn’t how the song got its start. What was the name of the original musical this song was written for? Is it (a) . . .”

A buzzer went off, and Justin looked over at Val, who was beaming.

“Yes, team ten?” Ned looked annoyed.

“That would be Babes in Arms.”

Ned stared at the card and wrinkled his nose. “Correct.”

“Whew!” Val hollered, throwing her arms up. Justin laughed until Trent reached over to give her a hug.

“I would have never guessed that,” Layla said beside him.

“Yeah, me neither.”

“

All right, next question. Mandy Moore sang this catchy tune during The Princess Diaries. Was it (a) ‘Sorry Valentine,’ (b) . . .”

Ah, hell, I know this one.

But did he really want to answer?

Slapping his hand down on the buzzer, he cleared his throat. “‘Stupid Cupid.’”

“I’m sorry, we couldn’t hear you,” Val yelled, and he shot her a dark look.

“Yes, team one, what was that?”

Justin wanted to throttle Ned. “I said the song was ‘Stupid Cupid.’”

“That is correct. Congratulations,” Ned said, marking something down.

“So, you like The Princess Diaries?” Layla teased next to him, and he turned his frown on her too, only she didn’t give him a taunting grin, she started stammering, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything . . .”

He felt bad that he had glared at the poor girl; she looked like she was about to pee her pants. Giving her a sheepish smile, he said, “It’s okay. It was Mandy Moore in a bikini. Believe me, every guy in this room knew that song; they just didn’t want to admit it.”

She seemed to be searching his face for something—he had no idea what—but finally, she relaxed. “So, you’re just a secure guy. I wish I was that confident.”

Justin looked over at Val, who was laughing at something else Trent said. “Trust me, even confident people have their doubts.”

“All right, next question. The 1996 hit ‘Cupid’ was sung by what R & B group: (a) D12, (b) Boyz II Men, (c) 112, or (d) K-Ci & JoJo?” Ned asked, checking his watch.

Justin didn’t have a clue, but it wouldn’t have mattered. He looked over at Val as she hit her buzzer, and Ned said, “Team ten?”

“That’s 112,” she said, half out of her seat.

“Correct,” Ned grumbled.

“Yes!” She jumped completely out of her seat, and Justin’s eyes were riveted by the little ass-shaking dance she performed before sitting back down. She looked over his way and actually stuck out her hands on either side of her head and gave him a raspberry.

Oh, it’s on.

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, Ned looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. “Correct. Team ten wins the round.”

“Oh yeah!” Val yelled, jumping up and doing another little dance while her poor partner looked uncomfortable. The man was quiet, with a balding head, but he had an eidetic memory, which had come in handy.

“All right, gentleman, say good-bye to your partners and move on to your final table.”