We keep rotating through our turns, and at the end of the first game, Anabelle is the clear winner, with me having the second highest score, then Rapsody.
“Do you guys want to break for some food and drinks before we play the next game?” Rapsody asks. “I need to let the sting of defeat wear off.”
Anabelle and I laugh.
“I’m getting hungry. I could definitely eat. I worked late at the bar last night, so I slept in and didn’t have time to eat breakfast.”
A member of the staff had come in and left us some food and drinks while we were in the middle of the game, so the three of us go over to the table and take a seat around it. There’s an assortment of pub foods—nachos, wings, french fries, some veggies and ranch dip, and some mozzarella sticks.
“How’s married life?” I ask Anabelle before biting a fry.
She gives me the widest smile. “Amazing. We’re planning a trip to Europe in the coming months. I’ve never been and really want to go. Somehow, I convinced my reclusive husband to take me.”
“That sounds amazing. Where all are you planning to go?” I dip another french fry in ketchup and eat it.
Anabelle tells us all about her plans, and I can’t help but imagine myself doing the same thing with Nero. When she’s done filling us in, I turn my attention to Rapsody.
“Any wedding plans underway yet?”
She shakes her head. “You don’t know this, but years ago, Kol and I were engaged, though we never made it to the altar.” She frowns. Seems my instincts were right that there’s a lot more to her story. “That time we’d planned to get married at city hall, just the two of us. That’s more our speed. Who knows, maybe we’ll do that again.”
“Don’t you dare! If you do, you’d better make sure I’m there,” Anabelle says.
Rapsody laughs. “Well, whatever we do, I don’t think it will be a big affair.”
“Fine.” Anabelle rolls her eyes playfully then turns to look at me. “What about you?”
“I’m not getting married.” A nervous laugh leaves my lips.
“But if you were to get married, what would you want your wedding to be like?” she asks.
“I used to think I’d want a huge affair with lots of people, flowers everywhere, and an expensive designer dress. Now…” I shrug. “I don’t know. Now I think what matters is who’s waiting at the end of the aisle.”
“Amen to that,” Anabelle says.
“Speaking of… can I ask what’s going on with you and Nero?” Interest sparks in Rapsody’s eyes.
My cheeks heat. I’m not sure how to answer. Will Nero be upset if I tell his brothers’ significant others what we’ve done?
I can be truthful about one thing. “I’m really not sure. He’s hot and cold.”
They nod knowingly.
“It’s the Voss way,” Anabelle says with amusement in her tone.
My head tilts. “What do you mean?”
“Asher and Kol were the same. If you’re into him, my advice is to just be patient. He’ll figure himself out, and once he does, he’ll be all in.”
I don’t want her words to give me false hope, but I can’t help it. “You think?”
“Definitely,” Rapsody says, sounding so sure.
“I don’t know. Just when I think I’m making some headway with him, he disappears.” I take a bite from a mozzarella stick.
“Like I said, it’s the Voss way.” Anabelle gives me a reassuring smile.
I hesitate to bring up something I’ve been wondering about, but it’s been in the back of my head every time I’m around these women. “Did he tell you how we met?”