Page 50 of That Secret Something

Time to put your game face on, Jess.

Rebecca wasn’t the only one who could play the field.

Eighteen

Jade flashed a teasing smile at me over her shoulder. “Watch and learn, Jess.” She spun round, her braids flying, and with an effortless delivery, hurled the bowling ball down the alley, securing yet another strike with a satisfying smash.

“I stand by the claim that this is rigged,” I said, taking in the numbers on the screen above. A lowly score of 33 stood next to Jade’s impressive 104, and the game still had a few rounds left to play.

She laughed. “Don’t look so distraught. You could still catch me.”

“Only if I somehow deducted points… Which I might for this teasing. Can I minus points for goading the competition?”

“If I’d had any idea you were such a sore loser, I might’ve suggested we go to the cinema instead.” She winked at me, then motioned me towards the stack of bowling balls on the rack. “See if you can get at least two pins this time.”

“I’m going to get three now, just to spite you.”

She placed her hand on my waist and leaned in close. “I dare you.”

Instead of the rush I usually felt when an attractive woman got in my personal space, the touch was cold and limp. The excitement never came. It wasn’t the hand I wanted.

I tried to push those thoughts away and plucked up a blue ball.

Jade picked up her cider from the table and had a swig. “Want to try the barriers? Or the kiddie ramp?”

I huffed. “I’d rather lose with some dignity left intact, thank you.”

“I think it’s a little late for that.”

I turned back to glare at her but couldn’t help but smile and shake my head. I lingered for a little too long, taking in Jade’s dark eyes and full lips. She was attractive. So why couldn’t I keep Rebecca out of my head?

I’d resisted the urge to check my phone for the last ten minutes, but my fingers were itching to reach into my pocket again. Was she nervous about her hockey game? Was she still thinking about our conversation from the other day? Or was I just obsessing in my very typical Jessica Mitchell way?

You’re not cut out for casual, Jess. Who are you trying to fool?

I turned back to the tower of pins taunting me and let out a sigh. The family next to us took their throw, and I waited, trying to take tips from the mother of the group, who had a certain flare when she bowled. The woman cheered as the ball knocked down the remaining pins, bagging a spare.

That didn’t look so hard.

I approached the line, focused my aim, and channelled the woman’s style as the ball sailed from my grip…and landed straight into the gutter with a slam.

I heard Jade’s laughter from behind me. “You sure you don’t want the barriers up?”

Shaking my head, I went to retrieve another ball. It was heavier than the last one. That was good. Maybe? I didn’t know; I didn’t know anything about bowling or physics. It couldn’t hurt, surely.

I took my place, swung my arm back, and—my phone vibrated. Rebecca? I released the ball, and it flew down the lane, wiping out every single pin.

“Yes!” I threw my hands up in the air. “I did it! Did you see?” I spun to face Jade, ready to gloat, but she was already right behind me with a big grin on her face.

“You’re so cute.” She grinned, looking genuinely pleased for me, and then her gaze wandered over my face.

Oh god. Is she going to—

She kissed me, cupping my cheek with her hand. Before I had time to register it, she pulled back, and it was over.

I stood there, taken aback by the sudden affection. I wasn’t prepared for this. I didn’t know what to do. Does she want me to say something?

“Is something wrong?” Jade asked. “You’ve gone pale. I’m sorry…I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

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