Everyone at the party tonight had been invited by Randell to liven up the ce-a crowd full of familiar faces, all running in the same circles.


    But when he saw who just walked in-Lyman-Bob''s knees nearly buckled.


    Randell and Vinson Elliott strode over, Randell fixing Bob with an icy stare. "Well, well, Bob. You''ve got some nerve, causing trouble in my house."


    Trying to hit on someone? You should at least know your limits. And to hit on Lyman''s wife? That''s just asking for it.


    Bob''s voice shook as he stammered, "I didn''t mean to. Really." He looked like he was about to cry. All he wanted was to flirt, but he''d picked exactly the wrong target.


    "Get out of here," Randell snapped.


    Turning to the others, he added, "This ce is getting dull. Who''s up for cards?"


    Effie''s eyes lit up instantly. "Really?"


    Randell barely suppressed a sigh. How did he forget that Effie and Lyman were both terrifying at card games?


    "Actually, I''ve got another fun idea for you guys," Randell said quickly. No way was he getting roped into a game with those two card-counting weirdos.


    Effie perked up. "What kind of idea?"


    "It''ll be perfect for you," Randell promised.


    "Let''s go," Lyman said to Effie.


    "Alright."


    They left together, and to anyone watching, it just looked like Effie and Lyman''s groups were close friends-no one would suspect anything more than that between Effie and Lyman.


    In fact, the gossip mill had it that there was something between Effie and Randell instead.


    "I didn''t believe it when Nelly said Effie was seeing Mr. Hoffman, but now I''m starting to," someone whispered.


    The woman who''d brought Lyman his grilled skewers earlier watched with narrowed eyes. She pulled out her phone and sent a photo to someone.


    Afterwards, Effie and her friends slipped out of the hotel through a side exit, avoiding the rest of thepany.


    All the while, Lyman held Effie''s hand tightly.


    Curious, Effie turned to him. "Where are we going, anyway?"


    Lyman shrugged. "No idea. Guess we''ll find out when we get there."


    Effie sighed inwardly. If even Lyman didn''t know, this had to be one of Randell''s crazy schemes—and those rarely ended well.


    Almost as if he could read her mind, Lyman reassured her. "Don''t worry. Randell might seem a little ky, but when it counts, hees through."


    Effie cocked an eyebrow. "If you say so."


    "Right this way, please," a hotel staff member said, leading them outside.


    They stopped in front of a hot air balloon. Effie blinked in surprise, then grinned. "I can''t believe he actually arranged for a hot air balloon."


    Lyman nodded.


    Effie nced at him and noticed how tense he looked, lips pressed tight. Suddenly, a suspicion crossed her mind. "Lyman... you''re not afraid of heights, are you?"


    He kept his face perfectly nk. "Of course not."


    Effie wrapped her arms around him, gazing up with bright, starry eyes. "Really? You''re not lying to me?"


    Lyman stiffened. "Nope."


    "Then let''s go up."


    "Alright."


    Effie hopped into the basket first, reaching out her hand to him. “Come on."