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Derek looked at her. She grinned and motioned for him to pick up the last dart. He reached for it, then paused and turned back to her. “I’ll throw this last one if you look up the fashion contests that are accepting entries right now, and enter one.”
Her smile faded and she took a step back. “What?”
“You heard me. I want you to enter a contest.”
“What does that have to do with throwing a dart?” She folded her arms.
He didn’t want to make her mad, but he knew she was intimidated. He also knew if she could get over it and enter, she’d have a decent chance of getting noticed. Even if she didn’t win, it could give her the confidence boost she needed.
“Nothing. I just want you to. You’re telling me to believe in myself.” He pointed to her. “You need to do the same. So, pony up. Get some skin in the game.”
She steeled her shoulders. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
He hadn’t been sure he could convince her. Satisfaction warmed his chest. “Okay, then. Here we go.” He picked up the dart and aimed. If he didn’t make this one, he was going to die of embarrassment.
* * *
Nara hugged the soft unicorn to her chest. It smelled like Derek, because he’d held it for her while she tried to ring the bell at the hammer game. She stuck her nose in the plush fabric and inhaled as she walked beside him, hoping he didn’t notice what she was doing. Her eyelids drooped, and she yawned. Today had wiped her out. At least the resort wasn’t too far down the sidewalk.
Derek scowled at her. “I hope you enjoy that thing. I had to give up my man card to get it for you.”
She bit back a smile, then playfully swatted him on the arm. “Oh, you did not.”
“Did so. I really didn’t enjoy begging the man to let me buy you the unicorn. And I swear I overpaid by at least fifty bucks. If only I had made that last shot.”
She had to bite the inside of her cheek to not laugh. “It might have helped if you had hit the board.”
“My fingers slipped.”
“That poor woman.”
Derek wagged his finger at her. “She didn’t get hurt, and I hardly think that was my fault. She shouldn’t have been standing beside the booth.”
“I didn’t say you hurt her. I think it startled her, more than anything. It did hit a sensitive area.”
“She had plenty of padding there.”
Nara pressed her face into her unicorn, trying desperately not to laugh. “The look on her face…”
Derek’s lips twitched, and she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She let out a loud laugh, and soon Derek was chuckling as well. She clung to his arm, trying to get enough oxygen, but failing miserably at calming herself down. Tears ran down her cheeks as the giggles turned into hiccups.
“Oh, dear.”
“What?” She hiccupped again.
“I think I broke you.”
She laughed again, then hiccupped, then nodded. “Yes, you did.”
“At least I got you the unicorn.”
“I’ll treasure it always.” She yawned again.
“You look tired.”
“I can hardly keep my eyes open. But I’ve decided, Larry will make a really great pillow.”
“Larry?”
