Page 29 of Unbearable Player

“Penny for your thoughts?” Reid’s voice startled her out of her reverie. He handed her a glass of wine, his fingers brushing hers in a way that sent sparks shooting up her arm.

Brianne took a sip, savoring the rich flavor. “Just thinking about how surreal this all is. A week ago, the most exciting thing in my life was debugging a particularly tricky bit of code. Now I’m living an action movie.”

Reid chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant warmth through her. “Life has a way of surprising us. Though I have to say, I’m glad this particular surprise brought you into my life.”

The sincerity in his voice made Brianne’s heart skip a beat. She turned to face him fully, struck by the intensity of his gaze. “I’m glad too,” she said softly. “Even with all the danger and stress... I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.”

They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Brianne found herself leaning in, drawn by an invisible force. Reid’s hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch impossibly gentle.

The doorbell chimed, shattering the moment. Reid pulled back with a rueful smile. “That’ll be the food. Rain check?”

Brianne nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. “Rain check.”

As they settled in front of the fireplace, containers of Chinese food spread out before them, Brianne felt a sense of comfort she hadn’t experienced in a long time. There was something so domestic about sharing a meal like this even with the lingering tension of their mission hanging over them.

“So,” Reid said, expertly wielding his chopsticks, “tell me more about your game. What inspired you to create Shadow Realms?”

Brianne’s eyes lit up at the question. “Oh man, where do I even start? I guess it all goes back to when I was a kid. My brother and I used to spend hours making up these elaborate fantasy worlds, you know? We’d pretend our backyard was this mystical realm full of portals to other dimensions.”

She launched into an explanation of her game’s concept, gesticulating excitedly with her chopsticks. Reid listened intently, asking thoughtful questions that showed he was genuinely interested.

“...and that’s why the choices the player makes really matter,” Brianne concluded. “It’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about the journey and how it changes you.”

Reid nodded, a look of understanding in his eyes. “Like how sometimes the challenges we face shape us more than the victories.”

“Exactly!” Brianne exclaimed, pleased that he understood. Then she paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “You know, I never would have imagined that creating this game would lead me on a real-life adventure like this. Infiltrating secret lairs, outsmarting thieves.”

Reid chuckled. “Life imitating art, huh? Though I have to say, your outfits are much more practical in the game. I’m not sure how actual merpeople would feel about that seashell bra.”

Brianne snorted, nearly choking on her lo mein. “Hey, don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. I’ll have you know that seashell bra was surprisingly supportive.”

Their laughter filled the room, easing the tension that had built over the day. As the evening wore on, they found themselves sharing more than just the details of their mission. Brianne opened up about her fears of failure and the pressure she put on herself to succeed in a male-dominated industry.

“Sometimes I worry that if this game doesn’t take off, it’ll be my last chance,” she admitted, her voice soft. “There’s always someone younger, someone with fresher ideas nipping at your heels in this business.”

Reid’s hand found hers, his touch warm and reassuring. “Brianne, from what I’ve seen of your work, you have nothing to worry about. Your creativity, your passion – those aren’t things that can be replaced or outdated. They’re what make you unique.”

His words warmed her from the inside out. Brianne squeezed his hand, grateful for his support. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from someone as accomplished as you. I mean, running a whole security firm and a... what do you call it? A sleuth of bears?”

Reid’s eyebrows shot up. “You know about that?”

Brianne grinned. “I may have done some research after our first meeting. Turns out there’s a whole online community dedicated to shifter lore. Did you know some people think bear shifters hibernate in the winter?”

Reid threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and full. “Oh man, I wish. Imagine getting to sleep through tax season.”

As the night wore on, their conversation meandered from topic to topic. They discovered a shared love for cheesy 80’s action movies. “Die Hard is a cinematic masterpiece and I will fight anyone who says otherwise,” Brianne declared, and an unexpected mutual appreciation for retro video games.

“No way,” Brianne gasped when Reid admitted to owning an original Nintendo Entertainment System. “Please tell me you have Duck Hunt.”

Reid’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros., and a fully functional zapper gun.”

Brianne clutched her chest dramatically. “Be still my beating heart. I think I’m in love.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them, more honest than she’d intended. But as Reid’s eyes met hers, soft and warm, she found she didn’t regret them.

“You know,” Reid said, his voice low and intimate, “I have a confession to make.”

Brianne’s heart sped up. “Oh?”

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