Page 41 of Hate To Be Mine

“Yes!” came the enthusiastic response.

She played three more rounds, each one getting more competitive, people shouting out answers and comparing cards and genuinely engaging with the material.

By the time she wrapped up, the crew was thanking her. It was, without question, the most successful safety briefing I’d ever witnessed.

Bernadette made her way over to where I was standing with Elizabeth, her cheeks flushed with success. She was smiling. I didn’t think her face was capable of doing so, but there she was. I honestly didn’t think she could get any prettier, but that smile was doing something to me.

“That was amazing,” I said.

“Really?” She looked genuinely pleased.

“Seriously. Even I learned and you know how impossible I am.”

She laughed softly. “Safety bingo for the win.”

“I owe you a kiss,” I said, my voice low enough that only she could hear.

Her eyes widened and then she laughed. “In your dreams.”

She turned and walked away, but not before I saw the way her cheeks had reddened. There had been a flash of excitement in her eyes. She wasn’t as immune to my charms as she pretended to be.

My pants tightened, and I had to adjust myself discreetly.

I considered walking out into the rain. Maybe the cold water would help cool me down. Because watching Bernadette Simmons get excited about safety protocols had apparently become my newest turn-on. I had absolutely no idea what to do about it. It was like the opposite of porn, and yet, it turned me on ten times as much.

There were so many reasons not to hook up with her. She worked for the insurance company, which counted as reasons one through five. We’d barely moved past hating each other. It could complicate the entire production.

But none of those reasons stopped the hot feelings in my chest as I watched her walk away.

16

BERNADETTE

Ifloated back to the bungalow on a cloud of pure satisfaction. The Safety Bingo had been a hit. An actual, genuine hit. People had thanked me. They’d engaged with the material instead of treating me like a plague carrier.

I did good. Really good. For the first time since arriving on Miratoa, I felt like maybe I could do this job without everyone hating me.

Annika was already inside when I arrived, wrapped in a robe and reading something on her tablet. She had decided to take advantage of the day off with a little quiet time. She looked up and smiled when I came in. “You look happy.”

“I am happy. Bingo actually worked. I thought they’d throw the cards at me, but they were into it.” I kicked off my shoes and dropped onto the small sofa. “After yesterday, I didn’t think I’d ever win any of them over.”

“Yesterday was rough,” Annika agreed. “But today you showed them who you really are. Someone who cares about keeping them safe, not just someone trying to ruin their fun.”

I wanted to bask in the feeling. To just sit there and enjoy the fact that I’d done something right. It felt good not to be hated.

Then my phone rang.

I looked at the screen. Dad. My good mood evaporated like mist in sunlight.

“I should take this,” I said to Annika.

“Of course. I’ll give you some privacy.” She disappeared into her room, closing the door softly behind her.

I answered. “Hi, Dad.”

“Bernadette.” His voice was clipped and all business. “Status update. How are things going on the Blackwell shoot? I expected to find an email from you about the progress.”

It was late back home, but that didn’t mean anything. My father rarely slept. I could picture him in his study, holding a glass of scotch and sitting in his leather chair.