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“You didn’t, did you?”

My mouth goes dry. “Break his heart?”

“Buy every damn bottle of hair gel in a fifty-mile radius, depriving him of his stupid fishtail.” He nods toward Jordan’s clean hair with a grin.

“I’m taking the fifth.” I laugh. “And don’t bother trying to figure him out. I’ve given up.”

“Stick with me.” Elijah hooks his pinkie around mine. “I’ll protect you from the idiots down here . . . specifically him.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Nicole shoves between us. “This isn’t the one-on-one dating round. This is the group date. Everyone gets a chance to impress Kennedy tonight. Starting with . . .” Nicole does a double take, then shoots me a glare. “What’s he doing here?”

I cringe. “I sort of invited him.”

“Why?” she blurts, as if she hadn’t suggested swapping him for Lucas yesterday.

“I don’t know. It was kind of an accident.” I let out a breath, not entirely convinced it was an accident at all. “It’s a long story.”

“If he’s here, he participates. No exceptions.”

The thought of Jordan participating in the embarrassing games Nicole planned ties my stomach in knots. And visions of being trapped in a closet with him for seven minutes threaten to paralyze me. “He won’t—”

“He will.” Nicole crosses her arms and flashes a devious grin. “Or he leaves.”

“Who’s leaving?” Jordan leans over my shoulder, his body heat scalding my back.

“You are.” Nicole gives him a lethal smile.

“Why would I do that?” He may be a master at masking the emotions on his face, but there’s no mistaking the humor in his voice. “I just got here.”

Nicole’s eyes sparkle. “Kennedy said you’d rather not participate, and you’re either in or you’re out.”

“She’s right. I want no part of the insane scheme you two cooked up. I only came to make sure Kennedy makes it out alive.” He slides his gaze in my direction. “I’m not leaving unless she does.”

Obviously pleased with herself, Nicole beams at Jordan. “Guess that means you’re in.”

“Forget it.” He raises his hands and darts his gaze back and forth between the two of us like he already knows what she has planned for the evening.

“Listen up!” Nicole claps her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Form a circle in the center of the room.”

The guys crowd around me. Everyone but Jordan. My reluctant bodyguard sticks to the fringes, leaning against the wall, watching me intently from a distance.

“We’re starting with a twist on truth or dare, but for tonight, we’re only looking for the truth. When Kennedy calls on you, you say what you like about her. And why you want to win.” Nicole nods to me, and I think she might be a genius.

My gaze darts to Jordan—staring off at some spot on the opposite wall, doing his damnedest to avoid looking at me. Terrified of his answer, I call on Elijah, instead.

Elijah smiles, piercing me with his blue eyes. “I like Kennedy’s smile. And her bravery. I’d like to win so I can explore new things with her.”

Aaron makes a gagging sound. “Dude, grow a pair.”

“What’s your answer, dipshit?” Elijah challenges him.

“She has a smokin’ hot body.” Aaron shrugs, unapologetic. “Her tits aren’t huge, but they’re perky. And I want to win so I can tap that ass. Isn’t that the real reason we’re all here?”

Jordan tenses, muttering unintelligibly under his breath.

“You got something to say, Keller?” Aaron takes a swig from his drink.

Jordan shakes his head. “Not to you.”