Page 102

“Now, step over the missing plank that’s right in front of you.”

She does and I exhale a breath I was holding. The rest of the bridge is easy, only a couple of missing planks.

“Take three more steps and you’re here and this is all over.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“I won’t make you stick a needle in your eye.”

A laugh escapes my throat, and then one step, two, and Cristina’s in front of me.

The teams below us cheer—even Jace, though his arms are crossed.

Cristina whips off the blindfold. The corners of her eyes are wet. I take her face in my hands, thumbing the moisture away.

“You did it,” I murmur.

“We did it,” she breathes.

I kiss her.

Hard. Real.

Not the gentle Ferris wheel kiss. This one devours whatever distance we had left. My tongue sweeps into her mouth, and I taste as much of her as I can.

When she finally pulls back, smiling like she’s been lit from within, I know I’m done for.

Completely, hopelessly done for. There’s no pretending anymore—not for her, not for me, not for the magic humming through this place like it’s been waiting for us to figure our shit out.

I swing her around. “That’s my girl.”

Her eyes go wide—surprised, delighted, something more. Like she’s never been anyone’s girl before. Like she likes it.

God help me, I like it, too.

Our arms are still around one another when I drop her down and press my forehead to hers. “You know what I want?”

“Ice cream?”

I throw my head back and laugh. “No. Let’s find out who won. It sure as hell better be us.”

Chapter 31

Cristina

My lips are still buzzing from that kiss. I glance shyly over at Rhett, who waits for Mina to announce the winners.

He looks over and smiles. I try to tuck away the smile inside me, but it beams out anyway.

“Everyone,” Mina says, and the teams go quiet, “y’all did an amazing job on the bridge. Rhett and Cristina—chills, and I can’t be the only one. Am I right, teams?”

They applaud us, and my gaze washes over the other couples. Once again, Holly’s shooting eye-daggers at me. It’s no wonder. She and Jace are dead last.

Well, you can’t win them all.

“Unfortunately, two teams didn’t receive any points: Maya and Logan as well as Holly and Jace. Remember, only one couple can become the first-ever winners of the magical matchmaking competition.”