Moonstruck at Midnight

Chapter 31 - An Unwinnable Bet

WILLIAM WAS BEING RIDICULOUSLY MODEST.

"Aren't you 26 years old? You must be one hell of a chef." Maybe he was a famous chef, like a TV chef or something. I wouldn't be surprised by my unawareness.

"Well, that's because I'm not a chef, and that's strike one. You get two more strikes, and when you fail, which you will, I'm taking you out on a proper date."

A bet. A date. I tried swallowing, but my throat had gone dry.

Gawking, I decided to play along with the game he proposed. "How are you so sure I won't get it right? What do I get if I win?"

"I'll give you the keys to my car," he said, almost celebrating his imminent victory.

"So cocky." I narrowed my eyes on him. "No guy would give up his car. You really don't think I can win this, do you?" I was clueless. I'd been one-hundred percent positive he was a chef. But now, he could be anything!

I knew I was probably losing, but I wanted to win. Not to win William's car; I would never accept it. But to have the satisfaction of proving him wrong.

"I barely use the car anyway."

Perhaps if I was more observant, I could have a fighting chance at winning. But William didn't think so.

"You'll end up going on this date with me. Just let that sink in for a minute. And no cheating," he warned, pinching my waist. I let out a small cry. "No Google. No Facebook. Let's keep this clean— no asking around my brothers or Lily, either. They're all snitches."

"I don't have Facebook." I shrugged. I wasn't allowed to, not that it sparked much interest. I'd probably have five friends there. I don't think that would classify as a book with the required number of faces.

"This is going to be fun." He jumped back onto the big grey puff, excitedly rubbing his palms against each other. "This is my happy place." His hands moved behind his neck, and he shut his eyes for a few seconds, allowing himself to relax.

"Do you come here often?" I asked.

"Yeah, but not as much as I'd like to. I wish I had more time. There are moments when I'm traveling too much for work. It's exhausting. I don't know how to stop."

"Hmm ... So, where do you usually travel to?" I asked, trying to sound naive.

"I see what you're doing." He laughed. "Stop digging for clues and spend the night in my bedroom instead."

I froze.

"Um—what do you mean?"

He flashed a flirty smile at me, probably enjoying the sight of me thinking about how to respond to his proposal.

"What I meant was that you should sleep here, and I'll sleep downstairs in the guest room. I want you to wake up and see the view. You'll love it. Plus, this bed is just the best bed ever."

"Oh. I can't. This is your—"

"I insist."

I pressed my lips together and took a deep breath through my nose. How could I refuse that face? I accepted his offer under one condition: He would let me borrow his phone. I needed to call Aaron immediately to let him know what happened to my cell phone. If I called Caleb, I knew I would get scolded, and I didn't know his number by memory. Aaron's number was easier. He was easier.

William took his phone out of his pocket and gave it to me unlocked.

Does it end in 33 or 43?

"Everything okay?" William asked.