Chapter 3

"Since we already know each other, that makes things simpler. Let's hear what the rest of the tasks are," Edward said, looking at me with undisguised anticipation.

I kept my thoughts to myself. Now that our identities were out in the open, I had to slap on a polite mask and keep up appearances.

Shadow's cheerful voice rang out, practically bubbling with enthusiasm. "Congrats on finishing the first task! Half an hour has already passed in the real world, so come on, you two, pick up the pace."

Even though neither of us paid him the slightest attention, Shadow didn't seem bothered in the least.

Shadow said, "Alright, the second task is to give each other a tight hug with your cheeks pressed together for five whole minutes. Go ahead and get started!"

I stared at Edward, who was shyly looking down at the floor, and gritted my teeth. "Let's get this over with. The sooner we finish, the sooner we're out of here."

I brushed the dust off my pants and stood up.

Watching him put on that fake, dramatic act was really starting to grate on me. Might as well power through the task and get the hell out.

Edward reluctantly got to his feet, dragging his steps as he walked toward me like he was making some monumental, life-altering decision.

Seeing how painfully awkward Edward looked actually made me feel a little better about the whole thing. A tiny part of me was even curious to see how this would play out.

I walked over and stopped right beside him.

Damn. What did they feed him overseas to make him this tall? Didn't people always complain about how bland foreign food was?

He was actually taller than me now. I was annoyed, and honestly a little salty about it.

Looks were subjective, so whenever people online claimed he was better looking than me, I rolled my eyes. Come on, I was clearly the hot one here.

But height? That was a cold, hard fact.

He towered a full head above me, and I had to tilt my chin up to meet his eyes. My pride wouldn't allow me to ask him to stoop down for me.

So, before he could get a word out, I grabbed his arms, rose up onto my tiptoes, and pressed my cheek flat against his, catching him completely off guard. His eyes went wide with surprise.

Wow, he was so warm, I caught myself thinking.

Then his arms coiled around my waist like iron bands, locking me firmly in his embrace. I felt his cheek brush softly against mine.

"Hang in there, Jamie. It'll be over before you know it," Edward murmured.

His low voice, his warm breath grazing my ear, made my whole body relax without me even realizing it. My thoughts dissolved into static.

My face was on fire.

A minute was short, but it could also stretch into an eternity. At least, that was how it felt to me, like I had lived an entire lifetime packed into sixty seconds.

When Shadow's cheerful voice finally chimed in, I snapped back to reality, shoved Edward away, and stumbled out of his arms.

I touched my burning face, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Was I coming down with something?

But when I looked up and saw Edward curled up in the corner, flushed from head to toe and looking thoroughly undone, a rush of satisfaction swept through me.

It felt like I'd won a round. Every trace of awkwardness evaporated.

I smirked. "Tell us the next task already."

"Well, you two were so wrapped up in the moment you didn't even bother checking the timer! If I hadn't popped up, were you planning to hug forever?" Shadow teased.

A wave of embarrassment washed over me. "Cut the crap and give us the next task."

"Alright, the next task is for both players to get within four inches of each other. Hold it for five seconds!"

What the hell? I might be a workaholic CEO with zero time for weird hobbies, but I was not clueless. This was straight-up pervy nonsense.

"I'm not doing it. I'm not leaving. If you want to lock me up, go ahead. Keep me here forever," I shouted frantically toward the source of the voice.

Edward gently tugged at my sleeve. I glanced over, confused, and saw that his cheeks were still flushed pink.

He leaned in close and whispered, "Jamie, if you're worried about the distance, don't stress. I can handle seven—"

"Stop!" I cut him off, making a face and shoving him away.

Who asked him? Seriously, who even cared? And who didn't have at least four? I've got six and a half, for the record.

As the minutes dragged on, I was the one getting anxious. Edward sat there like a blushing bride, not saying a word, sneaking shy glances at me every so often. It was making my skin crawl.

Then, out of nowhere, a wild idea hit me. "Let me stick my hand in your mouth for five seconds. Bear with it."

Edward was visibly stunned by my brilliant plan. He hesitated for a beat, but eventually gave a slow nod.

He looked at me with those trusting eyes and parted his soft, rosy lips for me. The rest... Well, let's skip the details.