The Luna Choosing Game

“I can tell by the look on your face that you’ve been thinking about me,” Terry said.

My stomach twisted. The champagne I had enjoyed only a moment ago soured in my mouth.

Susie shrunk, half–hiding behind me. Terry didn’t even look at her, his entire attention was focused on

1. me.

I didn’t reply to him. I simply stood there trying not to be sick on the ballroom floor.

Terry didn’t seem to mind. He continued on without even a dent to his smile.

“Congratulations, Piper. You’ve enamored two different brothers. No simple act. Though I can

understand why they are taken with you.”

I swallowed down the rising bile in my throat. “Thank you.” It was all I could manage. I knew what lied beyond his friendly façade, and now that the image of him had been permanently tainted, I struggled to

rebuild my own fake friendly face to deal with him.

“You must forgive me,” he said. “Our time was cut so short the last time we were together. But I am

hoping we can claim more along time again soon.”

I

a few heads around me. People were eavesdropping

They were judging

softened my tone. “The competition organizers keep us all very busy. I couldn’t

possibly find time…”

if I were you. Don’t forget who I am, Piper. I can sneak you away for a

and no one

laughed, like Terry had said something charming and not

they didn’t know what Terry had tried to do to

that moment, that they couldn’t see how

bury myself in it. Anything

Softer, so the eavesdroppers couldn’t hear, he added, 1 cannot wait to add you to

tone and the unwanted fire in his eyes as he dragged

+15 BONUS

me. I had to save myself. I drew courage from the knowledge that he couldn’t touch me here, even though he clearly wanted

screamed, everyone would

my chin, and told him, “You are going to be disappointed, because you will

now. I’ll let you think what you want.

I

much greater threat than those given to me on the stage