Page 29 of Settling the Score

I almost felt sorry for him

Paige

Sod him. I didn’t. He looked pissed.

Sienna

Did you guys plan that?

Bella

Sienna

Wow. You really are evil geniuses. Genii?

Bella

It’s going to be a fun week… just wait to see what Astrid has in store for later this morning.

‘There are five coloured flags for each team hidden on this side of the island,’ Astrid said, holding up a map, so the small group of bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as Chase and Olly, could see. ‘The first team to find all their five flags wins.’

‘And what do we win?’ Chuck called out.

‘Well, we thought about that, long and hard,’ Blake said. ‘Then we remembered you guys are all competitive enough to be motivated by a simple desire to score victory.’

There was a laugh, and a look of amusement between the guests.

‘But to make it more interesting, the winning team will also get a massage each.’

‘From you, Fury?’ Aiden called to Blake, who grinned.

‘It’s meant to be a prize, not punishment.’

‘A masseuse can be here tomorrow,’ Astrid said, then continued, ‘We’ve formed your teams, to make it fair.’

Bella grinned at Sienna and lifted two crossed fingers that they’d be together.

‘Okay, first team, Bella and Chuck. You’re looking for green flags,’ Astrid said, as Bella and Chuck made their way to a golf cart with a green ribbon tied around one of the support struts. Olly and Chase high fived when they were paired together. Paige was with one of the Titan players’ moms. Astrid continued to reel off names, until only four people remained.

Blake. Astrid. Sienna. Aiden.

Sienna’s mouth was dry as she contemplated the next pairing.Pleaselet her be with Astrid.Pleaselet her be with…

‘Sissi, you’re with Aiden, and you’re going for gold,’ Astrid said, subtly winking at her best friend.

Sienna’s skin paled, even as she realised her friend was trying to create the perfect opportunity for her to further the plan.

‘Great,’ she said, a little weakly, not glancing up at Aiden.

She’d expected him to say something pithy like, ‘Game on,’or whatever, but if anything, his face wore matching thunderclouds to her own.

She sucked in a breath.Chill out. This was just a game. A silly pre-wedding game that the happy couple had devised. She was supposed to be making Aiden want her, so Astrid had given her an opportunity for that. Sienna forced herself to lean into gratitude, even when she’d rather douse herself in honey and lie down on top of an ant hill…

7

‘I guess this is us.’ She gestured to a golf cart with a gold ribbon. On closer inspection, she saw that a couple of piccolos of champagne, as well as some beer, had been stashed in the front glove box, as well as an ice box with sandwiches. Astrid’s handwriting was on a sticky note that read, ‘In case you get lost!’

Gawd, please let them not get lost.