For a moment, Sloane had forgotten the blog, the festival, and that Brady Knox was just putting on an act when he snaked his arm around her and let it relax across her shoulders.

But then big ol’ bitch Carol had gone and opened her mouth.

Marcus cut the engine near what locals called Floater’s Cove, a wide passage of water that ran across a stretch of beach. There were already two boats in the distance with a few swimmers going between them and a setup of beach umbrellas, towels, and coolers. Carol waved over to one group with a parade-worthy flick of the wrist and then got down to business.

“So, now that we’re here, why don’t we shake some of the week’s stress off by playing a game?”

Marcus groaned, which should have been the biggest red flag of the century, but Felicity perked up with excitement.

“What kind of game?”

Carol was devious as heck as she leaned forward and made the announcement.

“Two truths and a lie!”

Audible gulp.

…

Sloane went stiff as a board against him the second Carol swept her gaze over to them. Brady decided he’d have to teach her how to act more relaxed, even when she wasn’t, because her body language was a dead giveaway that she’d rather be doing anything else.

Which was all Carol needed to stoke her social-torture fires.

“Just in case everyone doesn’t know the game, it’s simple. Each person tells two truths and one lie about themselves. Then the rest of us have to figure out which one is the lie.”

Marcus groaned again. “Couldn’t we just talk instead?”

“Where would the fun in that be?” Ruby shot back, to Carol’s appreciation.

Marcus rolled his eyes at his twin. Felicity, however, looked excited. That politician’s wife smile melted into a genuine one. She’d always been a fan of games that didn’t require time limits or drawing.

Brady readjusted his arm around Sloane so his circulation was better now that she’d gone rigor mortis.

“I’ve played this as a drinking game before,” he said. “It doesn’t mix well with alcohol.”

Marcus pointed at him, agreeing. Carol, unperturbed, surveyed her audience with an eagle eye.

“It looks like only two of us are drinking, so we should be peachy keen.”

Brady looked longingly down at the water in his hand. How he wished it were a beer. Then again, he had a feeling he might need to stay sharp around Queen Bee.

“Okay, so since it was my idea, I’ll go first.” Carol did a little dance in her seat, like she hadn’t already picked out her three things and needed a moment to think.