Page 93 of Prickly Romance

He looks offended. “I am not that much older than you.”

A sick part of me pounces on the opportunity to grind his gears a bit. It’s much better than feeling self-conscious and breathless in his company.

“When was the last time you bowled? Did we have smartphones yet or…?” I tease.

His eyes narrow on me, coolly arrogant.

Why is it so fun to get under his skin?

“Would you care for a wager, Miss Williams?”

“I would.” I tap my chin. “If I win, you release me from having to work at the foundation for my graduation project.”

He frowns. “Choose another wish.”

“Why? You have the power to release me early.”

He shakes his head.

I frown and think again. “Okay. Then I want you to take us all to that Japanese place for dinner tonight.”

“You enjoyed the miso soup?”

“I saw miso soup in my dreams.” I sigh longingly. “But for some reason, it feels weird going back there without you.” The words slip out before I’ve thought them through.

It’s too late.

Sazuki looks pleased.

I nudge him. “Not that you’re going to win, but… what do you want from me?”

“From you?” His eyes dip to my mouth again.

Heart banging against my chest, I lick my lips.

“I will think about it,” he says.

Niko and Yaya return to us.

“What’s the hold up?” Yaya signs. My sister grabs me by the hand while Niko latches onto Sazuki. They drag us to the counter to get our bowling shoes.

I finish tying up my sneakers and stand beside Yaya. “Let’s keep our teams as is. Me and Yaya against Niko and Sazuki.”

Niko grins from ear to ear. “I like that,” she signs.

Sazuki catches my eyes and nods. “Good luck, Miss Williams. You are going to need it.”

Oh, it’s on.

Niko is up first because she’s the cutest, obviously. The bowling ball looks like it’ll drag her straight to the ground, but she handles herself like a pro and lets the ball fly.

I bite back a chuckle when her ball hits the gutter. No matter how competitive I am, I’m not going to laugh in a kid’s face.

But Yaya does not share that philosophy.

When Niko hunches her shoulders and plods back to the benches, my sister lets out a boom of laughter. Like everything she does, it’s loud and unapologetic. Several of the tables next to us glance over.

Sazuki looks frightened by the loud guffaws.

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