Chapter 14
Lainey
“Fifteen minutes until the scavenger hunt starts!” a voice calls out, cutting through the hum of laughter and chatter.
My fingers tighten slightly around the paper as I look at Zach.
“You ready to lose?” His voice is warm and teasing as he appears beside me, his grin infectious.
I raise an eyebrow, matching his tone. “Big talk for someone who doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Oh, I’ll win,” he says with supreme confidence, leaning in slightly. “And when I do, you’re going to owe me—big time.”
Before I can retort, a shout comes from across the lawn, and we both turn to see one of his cousins waving him over. Zach sighs, brushing a hand lightly against my arm. “Be right back,” he says before jogging away, leaving me with the list and a swirl of nerves I can’t entirely shake.
I watch him go, his confident stride making it hard to look away. But before I can dwell too much on the sight, the sharp clearing of a throat behind me jolts me back to the present.
I turn to find Mr. Darling standing just a few feet away. His piercing gaze flicks from Zach’s retreating figure to me, and his brow furrows slightly.
“Mr. Darling,” I say, schooling my features into a polite smile.
“Lainey,” he acknowledges with a slight nod, stepping closer. “Do you have a moment?”
“Of course,” I say, though my voice tightens slightly.
For a beat, he says nothing, his sharp eyes assessing me. When he finally speaks, his tone is measured, almost fatherly. “Zach means a great deal to this family. He’s worked hard to get where he is, and we’ve always supported his choices—even when they weren’t the ones we’d hoped for.”
I nod, unsure where this is going but sensing it’s not good.
“But you…” He pauses, his gaze flicking over me briefly before continuing. “You’ve had a difficult past, haven’t you? Losing your mother. Never knowing your father. It’s commendable how you’ve managed, but…”
The words hang heavy in the air, and I feel the sting before he even finishes.
“But it’s also a concern,” he says finally, his tone kind but firm. “Zach needs someone who can support him, someone with stability. I worry…”
“That I’m not enough,” I finish for him, my voice quiet but steady.
His silence is answer enough.
His sharp eyes sweep over me, lingering for a moment before shifting to where Zach has stopped, now deep in conversation with Clarissa. She’s leaning in too close, her hand lightly brushing his arm as she laughs at something he’s said.
“Look at them,” Mr. Darling says, his tone almost wistful. “Don’t they look perfect together?”
My stomach knots, and I grip the list a little tighter, unsure how to respond.
“Clarissa understands Zach,” he continues, his voice calm but deliberate. “She comes from a good family, one with stability. Someone like her could… complement him, bring him the kind of balance he needs in his life.”
The sting is sharper than I expect, cutting through me even though it shouldn’t. This is all fake. None of it matters. But as my chest tightens, I wonder why it hurts so much.
“You’re protective of him,” I say finally, my voice steady despite the churn of emotions inside me. “I understand that.”
“Exactly,” he says, giving a small nod before excusing himself.
I stand there for a moment, the hum of the reunion fading into the background. The weight of his words presses down on me, and I clutch the scavenger hunt list like a lifeline.
“Lainey!” Blair’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I turn to see her jogging over, her cheerful expression shifting to concern as she gets closer. “What did Dad say to you?”
“Nothing important,” I reply quickly, waving it off. “He’s just protective of Zach. I get it.”
Blair crosses her arms, clearly unconvinced. “Let me guess. He told you how Clarissa’s the perfect match, right?”
I blink, startled by her accuracy. “Something like that.”
She sighs heavily. “Ignore him and all that about Clarissa. He’s always been tough on Zach. Part of it is because Zach didn’t fall in line with the family plan—he chose hockey instead of the business. But it’s more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
Blair hesitates, glancing around before leaning in slightly. “Zach believes our family is cursed or something. Mom passed when we were young, and Dad never really recovered. Noah, Cora, and Whitney are all divorced. I’m single—by choice, for the record.”
She smirks briefly before continuing. “But Zach? He thinks the ‘Darling curse’ means he’s destined for failed relationships or no relationships at all. That’s why he avoids dating seriously. Why he keeps things… casual. So I’m glad he found you.”
My stomach churns, guilt curling tight in my chest. It’s all fake. Zach didn’t find me. We found each other because of a stupid contract. But I force a smile, nodding as though I believe every word.
“Thanks, Blair,” I manage.
She grins, nudging me lightly. “No problem. Now, let’s go kick his ass in the scavenger hunt.”
When Zach returns, the buzz of excitement has reached its peak. Groups of people are gathering near the edge of the woods, clutching their lists and strategizing.
“Hey, baby,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist and pressing a quick kiss to my temple. “You ready for this?”
I laugh softly, his affection disarming me despite myself. “Depends. What exactly are we looking for?”
He pulls out a folded paper identical to mine and taps the list. “It’s pretty straightforward. Find one of these, and the dollar amount on the item gets added to your team’s total.”
I look over the list again.
Silver-painted pinecones ($1,000)
Gold-colored golf balls ($2,500)
Purple ribbons tied in bows ($5,000)
Small bronze medallions ($10,000)
Red glass marbles ($15,000)
Blue ceramic tiles ($25,000)
Small brass bells ($40,000)
Black and gold-painted rocks ($60,000)
Crystal sun catchers ($75,000)
Golden compass tokens ($100,000)
The estate logo marks each item, making them easy to distinguish but hard to find in the sprawling woods.
“You think we’ll find the big one?” I ask, nodding toward the golden compass token at the bottom of the list.
Zach smirks, his tone turning competitive. “Not if I find it first.”
“We’re not even on the same team?” I protest.
“Exactly why we need a side bet,” he says, leaning in close. “Whoever finds the highest-value item wins. The loser owes the winner a favor—anything they want.”
My eyes narrow, suspicion bubbling up. “Anything?”
“Nothing that’ll get us arrested or killed,” he replies smoothly. “And nothing disgusting. It has to be appropriate.”
I study him for a moment, searching for an angle. “You’re awfully confident.”
“Because I’m going to win,” he says simply, his smirk infuriatingly smug. “Unless… you don’t think you’ve got what it takes.”
The challenge sparks something in me, and I step closer, meeting his gaze. “Fine. When I win, you’re going to be my slave for an entire day.”
He laughs, his eyes lighting up. “Deal. And when I win, you’re going to regret ever making that bet.”
“We’ll see,” I reply, grinning despite myself.
“Good luck, baby,” Zach murmurs, his lips brushing mine as he plants a lingering kiss there. “You’ll need it.”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Don’t get cocky.”
“I’m not cocky. I’m confident,” he teases, his grin as infuriating as it is charming. “See you in a couple of hours.”
With a final wink, he jogs off to join a group of his cousins. They’re already laughing and strategizing, their energy palpable as they head toward another part of the estate.
“We’re going to crush them,” Blair announces, sliding into the driver’s seat of a golf cart nearby. “Come on, Lainey. Let’s go win this thing.”
Whitney hops into the back with a triumphant smirk. “Zach doesn’t stand a chance.”
Just as I move to climb into the front passenger seat, Clarissa appears, practically materializing out of nowhere. “Room for one more?” she chirps, her smile impossibly bright.
The atmosphere shifts immediately. Blair stiffens, and Whitney’s smirk fades into something closer to irritation.
“I think we’re full,” Blair says dryly, but Clarissa doesn’t seem to hear—or care. She hops into the back seat, wedging herself beside Whitney.
“I’ve got a good feeling about this team,” Clarissa says, clasping her hands together. “With me here, we’ll definitely win the biggest prize.”
Blair glances at me, her expression a mix of exasperation and humor. I bite back a laugh and shake my head as I climb into the passenger seat.
“I’m out,” Cora announces suddenly, throwing up her hands. “I don’t have the patience for this.” She shoots a pointed look at Clarissa. “Good luck, though.”
“Typical,” Whitney mutters.
Cora shrugs. “You’re not wrong. See you later.” With that, she walks off toward the main house.
Blair starts the cart, revving the engine. “All right, let’s get this over with. Everyone, hop on.
I slide into the seat next to Blair, and Whitney hops into the back again, but then she hesitates. “Actually, I need to use the bathroom,” Whitney says, standing up suddenly.
Blair narrows her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re bailing, and we all know it.”
Whitney offers a shameless grin. “Guilty as charged.”
Before Blair can respond, Whitney saunters away, leaving just the three of us. Blair groans, shaking her head, but she doesn’t dwell on it. “Fine. Let’s go.”
As we drive toward the woods, Blair points to various landmarks where items might be hidden. “Most of the good stuff is out here,” she says over the hum of the engine. “Keep your eyes peeled for anything shiny or out of place.”
I nod, scanning the landscape. Shouts from other teams echo through the property, and a few people cheer when they find smaller items. The excitement is contagious, even if the tension in the cart is palpable.
“We’re definitely winning this,” Clarissa declares, her voice breaking the silence. “I can feel it.”
Blair snorts. “Sure thing, drama queen.”
Clarissa leans forward, her tone overly chipper. “I’m just saying, with me here, we’ve got a shot at the big prize.”