The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 305

Liora’s POV

I started to stand, ready to drag Zane in the opposite direction before Callum and Bianca could spot us. But it was too late. The heard us, and both turned, spotting us immediately.

“Liora?” Bianca called out, waving at us. “Is that you?”

I froze. Zane cursed under his breath. Before we could slip away, Bianca grabbed Callum’s hand and pulled him over to our bench. She was smiling a little too wide, which meant that she had a plan already.

“What a coincidence!” she said. “I didn’t know you were in town.”

“Yeah. Just stuck here because of the storm.”

Bianca’s eyes gleamed. “Well, since we’re all here, why don’t we make it a double date?”

“No,” I said immediately.

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun.” She gestured at the carnival around us. “We can play games, go on rides. It’ll be like a real double date.”

I looked at Callum. He was staring at the ground with his jaw clenched. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. I couldn’t blame him.

“We were actually just leaving,” I said.

“We were?” Zane asked.

I shot him a glare that could wither roses. “Yes. We were.”

But Bianca wasn’t letting it go. She pouted, leaning into Callum. “Please? I think it would be so much fun. Don’t you think so, baby?”

Callum didn’t answer.

Zane draped his arm around my shoulders, grinning. “Actually, you know what? A double date sounds great. Let’s do it.”

I grabbed his arm. “Zane,” I hissed.

“What?” He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “She wants to play games? Fine. Let’s play.”

I knew that look in his eyes. He was enjoying this. The chaos, the competition, the chance to piss Callum off.

“Show off,” Zane muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

When it was my turn, I could barely get the puck halfway up with no wolf. Bianca made it about two-thirds. The sneer she shot me was palpable. “Well, I guess not everyone is built for physical prowess,” she cooed.

We moved to another booth after that, then another. Zane won both, piling a small stuffed owl on top of my teddy bear, and then a plush tiger after that.

“You’re building quite the collection,” Callum said.

It was the first thing he’d said to me all night. I looked at him, but he was already turning away.

“Yeah, well, Zane’s good at this stuff,” I said.

Zane draped his arm over my shoulders. “What can I say? I’m talented.”

I noticed Callum’s jaw clench. He looked away, but not before I caught him staring at Zane’s arm around me. Satisfaction shot through me at that look. I knew I shouldn’t be glad he was jealous, but I couldn’t help it.

After a few more games, our final stop was the haunted house. We got in line, listening to the sounds of screams and laughter coming from inside as we waited for our turn. A group of girls came rushing out, giggling and red-faced.