Joseph seemed intrigued too. “Let’s hear it?”

Maurice glanced at Sylvie, then shot a loaded look at Elodie. “Well, since we’ve got only two ladies here today, why don’t we have a little contest-let’s see whose game is better?”

Elodie paused in mid-motion.

She looked up and realized everyone’s eyes were on her.

Sylvie smiled, her tone unreadable. “Maurice, you’re always full of ideas.”

Maurice shrugged. “The rest of us already played a few rounds. Thought it’d be fun to watch you two go head-to-head. Right, Jarrod?”

Jarrod looked up at him, expression cool. “Shouldn’t you ask the ladies how they feel about it first?”

Sylvie twirled her club confidently. “I’m game if Elodie is.”

Which, of course, put the ball in Elodie’s court.

Elodie quietly averted her gaze. “I’m not much of a golfer, honestly.”

She wasn’t about to force herself into a losing match. But she understood what Maurice was getting at. He knew Sylvie was practically a pro-pitting them against each other would be an easy way to embarrass her.

He probably figured Elodie would agree out of pride, with so many people watching.

“Not much of a golfer? So you know the basics, at least.” Maurice gave her no way out. “We could do a bit of practice, or if you’d rather, play doubles-you can each pick a partner.”

He left Elodie with no real reason to refuse.

Elodie frowned slightly.

She glanced over and saw Mr. Patrick watching Maurice’s arrangements with clear amusement. In the end, she decided not to spoil everyone’s fun.

“You can pick someone for your team,” Maurice said, turning to Elodie. Then he looked at Sylvie, his tone suggestive. “As for Sylvie, that’s obvious—she’ll team up with Jarrod, right?”

Jarrod lounged in his chair, lips quirking in a faint smile, saying nothing. But it was clear he didn’t mind partnering with Sylvie.

Sylvie grinned and gave Maurice a playful scolding.

Joseph, who knew the inside story, glanced at Elodie with a complicated expression.

Elodie kept her head down, detached as ever.

But then Mr. Patrick spoke up, “Isn’t that a bit unfair? Everyone knows Mr. Silverstein’s a fantastic golfer. I’ve never even beaten him myself. If you just assign partners, aren’t you setting Ms. Thorne up to lose?”

He waved a hand. “Let’s draw lots. That’s fair.”

Maurice coughed. “Fine, sure…”

Elodie wasn’t invested in the competition, so she picked a ball at random.

But when she saw the number matched Jarrod’s, the mood in the group shifted, each person reacting in their own way.

And Sylvie ended up drawing Maurice.

Maurice frowned. “That can’t be right! Let’s try again.”

But Sylvie abruptly said, “No need. Let’s keep it as is.”

She didn’t seem upset in the slightest.

Ignoring Elodie, she arched a brow at Jarrod and flashed a confident smile. “Looks like it’s you and me, Jarrod. Let’s see who scores more I’m not going easy on you.”

It was supposed to be a doubles match, but with Sylvie, it felt more like a flirty couples’ challenge between her and Jarrod.

She gazed at him with effortless intimacy, as if no one else existed.

Jarrod’s lips curled in response.

Maurice watched Sylvie, unable to hide his admiration.

Confident, gracious, radiant-Sylvie was captivating. She wasn’t the type to stoop

to petty rivalries or jealousy.

No wonder Jarrod had no interest in withdrawn, unremarkable Elodie. Who would choose a timid, colorless woman?

Elodie paid no attention to their little scene and focused on adjusting her grip on the club.

It had been ages since she’d played; she was rusty.

Sylvie and Maurice made a good team, and Jarrod was more than holding his

own.

Elodie took her time, swinging the club with measured calm.

After Jarrod sunk another shot, he glanced over at Elodie.

Then he walked over, leaned in, his large hand gently guiding her wrist, the other hovering near her lower back.

He met her eyes, voice low and steady. “No need to be nervous.”

“If you’re struggling, you know you can always ask me for help.”