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what I’d choose, so she’ll be the one to tell you if you guessed correctly or not.” I was liking this turn of events, not only was the game impossible to win, but his little side bet was also not as easy as he thought.
    “Jeez, Matthew, I’m not trying to rain on your parade or anything, but I don’t think the odds are stacked in your favor.” Jen was staring at the three rings in his hand then glanced over at the rows and rows of large glass bottles. She shook her head and laughed lightly. “Well, good luck, but I’d be getting ready to pay for a tune up if I were you.” Jen clucked her tongue and I began laughing.
    “I like my odds.” Matt’s voice lowered and he winked at me just before turning around and tossing the first ring. The ring bounced off several jugs before landing in between them. His jaw clenched and I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t make too much fun of him. I knew guys hated to have their pride wounded publicly.
    “It ain’t over yet, buttercup.” Hunter grinned over at Jen, who was also trying very hard not to laugh. Her eyes narrowed and she pointedly turned her attention back to Matt. Matt let the second ring fly and I held my breath when it came too close to hanging around the jug like it was supposed to.
    “Oh, so close,” Jen murmured between a giggle. Matt took the last plastic ring between his thumb and forefinger and then blew out a steadying breath. A quick flick of his wrist set the ring flying and I could tell as soon as it left his hand that I was going to lose the bet. When the ring settled around the neck of a bottle dead in the center of the rows and rows of bottles, Hunter began whooping and hollering while patting his brother on the back. A celebratory bell dinged loudly, letting everyone around know that someone had won playing the dreaded ring toss game. Jen stood there with her mouth hanging open and I felt the ground shift beneath my feet. Me and my big mouth.
    Matt walked over to me with his eyes shining and a boyish grin plastered on his face, making it impossible for me to be mad about losing.
    “You’ve won this before.” It wasn’t a question. Hunter smirked and Matt shrugged.
    “A couple of times,” he muttered. My mouth hung open in disbelief.
    “A couple of times?” I shrieked. I was angrier about the fact that I had never won the game than about him bamboozling me into a game he had mastered. I shook my head and gazed up into his smiling eyes. “Looks like you’re taking me on a date.” Little butterflies danced in my midsection at the thought of spending time alone with Matt.
    “Looks like I am.” His eyes were twinkling and a dimple appeared as he smiled widely. I sighed, sexy dimples were my one true weakness.
    “What prize would you like, sir?” The gray haired Carny pointed up to the dozens of huge, fluffy, stuffed animals hanging from his tent, with a toothy smile. Matt glanced back at me and I crossed my arms over my chest as a smile began to work its way across my face. Matt’s eyes widened slightly before he began grinning from ear to ear. My smile quickly turned into a frown and Hunter began laughing behind us. Matt pointed to a prize without his eyes ever leaving mine.
    “I’ll take that one.”

don’t know why you’re so upset.” Jen shrugged her shoulders and began laughing … again. She hadn’t stopped laughing since Matt had won the massive six foot long purple snake from the ring toss game at the fair.
    “I’m not upset. I just …” I stroked the head of the uber fluffy snake and sighed. “It’s just … how did he know I would go for the snake? I mean, most girls would have gone for a bear, or the ginormous flower, or even the monkey.” I shook my head and tried to get a handle on my feelings. On one hand I was shocked and upset that he could read me so well, but on the other hand I was glad he picked correctly, even if it was just to assure myself that he felt the same connection, wanted or not, that I