Free Ruined by Rachel Hanna Page A

that I spend vast amounts of time alone reading and watching TV. Surely I can wow him with my trivia skills and gain the upper hand in our strange friendship.
     
    "Oh really? I doubt that."
     
    "Aren't we a cocky one tonight?" Just as he raises an eyebrow at me, causing my heart rate to speed up, the server returns with our drinks.
     
    "How about we make a friendly wager, Miss Blake?"
     
    "I'm sure betting or wagering of any kind are not allowed in this establishment, Mr. Miller," I say cocking my eyebrow up as I sip my sweet tea.
     
    "Live dangerously."
     
    "Last time I lived dangerously, I almost lost my internship and ended up on your couch covered in hobo smell and smoke." He laughs, and I realize how deep his dimples are as heat rockets through my core.
     
    "Here's what I propose. The first person to answer five questions right wins. If I win, you have to go up there and sing karaoke."
     
    "Um, no. Ain't gonna happen, my friend," I say shaking my head.
     
    "Come on. Put your money where your mouth is, lady."
     
    "Okay fine. I am so sure I'll win that it won't be an issue. And if I win, you have to strip down to your boxers and run straight into the water out there in front of everyone."
     
    "No way! And what makes you so sure I wear boxers? Or anything for that matter?" He winks, and again electric currents go straight into my girly parts and make me want to remove my own pants... right now.
     
    "Can I take your order?" the server asks looking awfully irritated. How long has she been standing there anyway?
     
    "Oh, I'll have a club sandwich," I say as Reed quickly orders his hamburger. We both laugh.
     
    "Fine. I will strip down so you can see my rock hard pecs and abs of steel, and I will run into the water like the manly man I am." He's funny and sweet and smart. And he seems so safe. So secure. A stable place in my life of inner turmoil. If he only knew what the real me was like inside. It makes me sad for a moment, but as usual, I break free of the thoughts and carry on.
     
    Before I can respond, the announcer comes on to tell us that trivia is starting now. I reach across the table to shake Reed's hand so we can seal our bet, and I swear he holds onto my hand just a bit longer than expected. I'm imagining things, I just know it. I can't read signals from guys anyway. They are so damn confusing most of the time.
     
    "Here we go, Miss Blake. You better warm up your vocal chords," he says rubbing his hands together. We both pull our trivia answering devices closer and get ready to buzz in our answers like we're on Jeopardy.
     
    "First question..." the announcer guy says. "Which U.S. soap opera first aired on CBS in 1956?" I see the lights go out in Reed's eyes, and I giggle loudly as I press the button for "As The World Turns". Of course, I'm right and I beat him to the buzzer. He slaps the table as if he's angry, and I giggle even louder.
     
    "You suck, Reed Miller!" I say over the loud roar of the room.
     
    "You wish, Willow Blake!" he responds which makes me crazy. What is this guy doing to me?
     
    "Next question.... Which sci fi TV show first aired in 1966?"
     
    Bam! He buzzes in and guesses Star Trek before I can get my finger to cooperate.
     
    "Not fair. I knew that one!" I say, but he wags his finger at me and shakes his head.
     
    "Here's another question.... Who won the sixth season of American Idol?"
     
    Wham! I buzz in for Jordin Sparks as Reed sits back in this seat with his arms crossed.
     
    "What's wrong, loser boy?"
     
    "I don't watch stupid reality TV shows," he says raising his eyebrows and smiling.
     
    "It's a talent competition and totally legitimate programming."
     
    "Whatever," he says laughing as he sits up.
     
    "Next question, folks.... Which Righteous Brother’s song was featured in the film Ghost?"
     
    Reed beats me to the punch and guesses Unchained Melody. Duh. Everyone knows that!
     
    We go back and forth until we each have four correct answers.  Talk about