“This is so great,” she said, talking down to him, the trophy in one hand, her other hand under his jaw, holding on.
“Yeah,” he said, looking up at her.
“Hello!”
He looked down to see Jaycee calling to him.
“Congratulations, you two,” she said, glancing up at Candy, then directly at him.
“Thanks,” Candy called down.
“So, anyway, I’m just going to come right out and ask. I know you two work together, but are you together-together?” She twined two fingers.
They both answered at once.
“Not at all,” Candy said.
“Yes, we are,” he said.
Hands on hips, Jaycee looked from one to the other, waiting for a clarification.
“For this week, we’re together,” he said.
“Oh. Well.” She looked disappointed, then shrugged. “Whatever. I guess I’ll see you around.” She walked away, paused to look back, as if to say something else, then shook her head and moved on.
He understood her confusion. Why had he lied? Because he didn’t want Jaycee and it was a painless way to let her down? That made sense, right?
Except there was more to it, he knew. Way more.
Candy thumped his chest with her heels. “Put me down,” she said. She wanted an explanation and he hoped to God she’d buy the one he gave her.
CANDY HOPED TO HELL Matt could fix this. He had to save her from herself. When he’d told Jaycee they were together, she’d felt pure joy.
Joy! The absolute wrong reaction. She had to force it down, like sitting on the lid of a jam-packed suitcase. She had no business wanting Matt to want her.
Now, her heart banged her ribs as hard as her heels thudded Matt’s chest.
Matt crouched down and helped her off his shoulders. She hated to leave, actually. She’d loved being up there with Matt’s hands warm and tight on her thighs, holding her safe.
“Why did you tell her that?” she asked him, her heart thudding in her ears.
“I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“You could beta test Fun Guy with her. Wasn’t she your type?” she asked. How could she not be? Jaycee was every guy’s type.
“Right,” he said, sounding relieved. “She’s not my type.” His eyes darted away.
“Or is it because of Jane? Sure. That makes sense.” Matt was an honorable guy. He wouldn’t two-time his girlfriend. Even if she wasn’t his girlfriend at the moment.
Because if it wasn’t, if Matt had turned down Jaycee because he wanted Candy, then the joy she’d locked away would burst right out of her.
“This trip’s complicated enough already,” Matt said, managing a smile. “Don’t you think?”
“Excellent point,” she said, relieved Matt had eased the tension. She noticed carnival rides-their neon trim decorating the sky-in the distance, where the crowd thickened. “Let’s check out the carnival before the scavenger hunt, huh?” That would be a fun distraction.
“Sounds good.”
She put the limbo trophy inside her straw bag, Matt put his shirt back on, and they started off.
“Hey there…” A blond guy spoke invitingly to Candy as he passed. He turned, walking backward to continue looking at her.
She smiled her thanks-but-no-thanks smile.
Matt stopped walking and turned to her. “If you want to hook up with him, feel free. I can amuse myself.”
“Forget it, Matt.” She laughed.
“This is your vacation. You should do your thing.”
His words hit like a slap. “You think that’s my thing-picking up guys?”
“No. I just meant enjoy yourself, do what you want.”
“I always do,” she said, sounding more stiff than she meant to. It hurt that Matt saw her as a party girl.
On the other hand, why wouldn’t he? She’d jumped into bed with him practically at the first chance she got.
“Stop.” He surprised her by cupping her face and looking straight into her eyes. “I was clumsy. I just mean I don’t want to monopolize your time. If you meet someone, I’ll back off. That’s all I’m saying.”
Her anger melted away. “I’m having a great time with you.” The words came out too intimate and too intense.
“Me, too,” he said, matching her tone. “A great time.” He held her gaze. “Too great, probably.”
“Probably.” Her heart throbbed in her chest and some joy leaked out. Why did he have to be so damned sincere?
She loved being with him, the way he looked after her, smiled at every funny remark, found her so delightful. This was not good. Not good at all.
She hurried forward, so Matt had to lope to catch up with her in the crowded midway. People were clumped around booths related to Sin on the Beach. A photo booth had life-size cardboard stand-ups of the stars, faces cut out, so couples could peek through and be photographed as if they were making love. Long lines snaked around tables where the actors autographed publicity photos and tell-alls.
Candy and Matt pushed past all that to a more open section of the carnival.
“Hey there, young lovers!”
Candy turned to locate the source of the amplified voice.
“Yes! You! White bikini, blue palm-tree shirt. I’m talking to you.” A man wearing a lime-green turban and an eye-popping Hawaiian shirt was waving them over. His twinkling eyes and handlebar moustache made him look like a tall Wizard of Oz.
“Please, you two beautiful people, step this way.” Above him, a painted sign said, “Magellan the All Knowing.”
“I don’t know about this,” Matt muttered to her.
“Let’s see what he’s got to say.” She tugged Matt’s arm, pulling him closer to the small stage.
“Folks, help me encourage this lovely couple,” Magellan called to the passing crowd. “Don’t let them escape their future. I must unravel their mystery.”
A dozen people gathered around the platform and watched Matt help Candy up the steps to stand beside the guy.
“Welcome, welcome,” Magellan said. “Give them a hand.”
The crowd obediently applauded. There was a desultory whistle.
“And your first name?” Magellan held the mic close to Candy.
“Candy,” she said.
“Exactly what I was going to say!” He winked at the crowd, then turned to Matt. “And you, sir? Your name is…hmm. It’s…”
“Matt.”
“Ah. You’re too quick for me.” The crowd laughed at his pretense that he’d been about to guess their names.
“And are you enjoying the festival, Matt and Candy?”
“Until now,” Matt joked.
“Not to worry,” Magellan said with a big laugh. “You’ll be able to live this down…eventually.”
The crowd laughed.
“So, ready to play our game? It’s called Truth or…Bare. A variation of Truth or Dare in honor of this sexy festival we’re part of.”
“That depends on what we have to do,” Candy said.
“Exactly,” Matt added.
“You can trust me,” he said. Something in his tone told her he was more than a carnie clowning for the crowd. And his eyes held a surprising depth.
“We’re listening,” Candy said.
“Good. Excellent.” He rubbed his hands together. “Here’s how it goes. I’m going to call on my spirit guides to reveal a secret about each of you. If I’m wrong, you earn fifty festival points and free tickets for the carnival rides.” He pulled a strip of tickets from a pocket and waved it for the crowd’s benefit.
“And if you’re right?” Matt asked.
“Then it gets interesting. If I’m correct, you remove an item of clothing. A major item. No jewelry or shoes. That’s why we call it Truth or Bare.”
The crowd roared its appreciation.
“So, are you in?” he asked, looking from Matt to Candy.
No way would Candy drop her bikini for a crowd, but she was curious about what Magellan might guess. Matt looked as though he wanted to bolt from the stage. That made her smile. She liked seeing him off-guard. “Why not?” she said.
“Candy,” he said under his breath.