Ayla’s POV
I was still staring at Derek, trying to process how we'd ended up as partners, when the coordinator's voice boomed across the field.
"Alright everyone, pair up with your partners and find a spot to sit together. We'll be going over the rules in just a moment."
Before I could even move, Derek had closed the distance between us. He gestured toward a patch of grass under a large oak tree, away from the main crowd.
"Come on," he said, that easy smile still on his face. "Let's grab that spot before someone else does."
I followed him, clutching my green tag in one hand and my phone in the other. We sat down on the grass, and I made sure to leave a respectful distance between us.
Derek didn't seem to notice or care. He leaned back on his hands, looking completely relaxed and con
