Check & Mate

by Ali Hazelwood

“I am a motherfucking delight, Greenleaf. And for the record, you and I are equally hot.”

“My wedding planner is out of peonies. What do you think happened? I lost.” He glares. “This entire tournament could have been an email.”

“I’ve got you, Mallory. Nothing bad is going to happen. You can let yourself want this, because you already have it. You have me.”