"Hey," I said, "just take it." As I spoke, I set the KFC box on the planter beside the pathway, contriving as I did so to toss my house keys into a bush. (Para. 3)
Meaning: I asked him to take it. While I was speaking, I put the KFC box on the planter beside the pathway, and at the same time I tossed my house keys on purpose into a bush.
contrive: vi. manage to do or make something although there are difficulties
He contrived to make a mix-up of the whole thing. 他费尽心机，结果反而把事情弄糟了。