Page 31 of Embers of Torment

I turned to see Adam coming from another car. He waved when he saw us.

"Hey, Jace. I didn't know you were meeting us here."

"I thought it would be easier."

"That's cool," Adam said offhandedly. "Now we won't have to find you at the venue." He led the way toward the exit.

Reaching the complex housing the bowling and game center, we took the escalator to the second floor. Entering the establishment, we followed one of the employees to a wooden table for four by the bar. The place was busy, and a mingling of voices filled the dark, windowless room. Checking out our surroundings, I saw tennis playing on one television monitor while soccer, baseball, and golf played on others. I browsed the menu while we waited for our server.

"I'm getting the buffalo chicken pizza and a Sam Adams. Does anyone want to share with me?" Adam glanced between Della and me.

"Sure, I will." I set my menu down and turned to Della. "What are you having?"

"Mmm. I'm going for the fish tacos and a Blue Moon."

Della stacked her menu on top of mine, which she handed to our server after we ordered our dinner and drinks.

"So when is the next movie night?" I asked, wanting to broach the subject. I had enjoyed the last one and was excited for another, especially if it meant I could cuddle with Della.

"I'm up for it whenever you two are." Adam raised a brow at Della. "Are you ready for another evening hiding under your hood?"

"Oh, hush. There's no need to rub it in." Della shot Adam an irritated look. "I can handle it, so go ahead and make the arrangements for whenever you want."

"I wouldn't mind hosting." I figured I'd better jump back into the conversation and voice my proposal before Adam planned another evening at his apartment. "How about we do it next Friday at my place? Neither of you has been there, and it's convenient for Della." I hoped they'd both go for it. If I hosted, Della wouldn't be spending the night at Adam's, and it would allow me to spend some alone time with her. That was my intention, anyway.

Adam and Della stared at each other. I wanted to coax them into agreeing but was afraid to sound too eager. If Della caught wind of my ulterior motive, I was sure she'd give me a hard time and might refuse to come over. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and checked my email, trying to act more relaxed than I was.

Adam shrugged a shoulder, his attention still on Della. "It would make it easier for Theo. He could unwind in the living room after work instead of retreating to our bedroom since he's not into our kind of movies. Plus, he always thinks he's intruding even though I tell him he's not."

"But that would mean I'd have to go home after the flick and stay by myself." Della wrinkled her nose as she thought about it. "I don't know. I tend to freak out when I'm alone."

"We could watch something that isn't so scary. It would eliminate the problem." After I made the suggestion, I wished I hadn't based on how thoroughly Della scrutinized me. I waited for her to call me out for having some dastardly plan up my sleeves.

Della pursed her lips and nodded at Adam. "All right. I'm in. Movie night at Jace's apartment."

Relieved, I grabbed my beer and took a swig as soon as our server set it on the table. I stayed silent as Adam and Della discussed which movie we should watch. Della wanted something more entertaining than scary, while Adam argued that it defeated the purpose. Della ultimately won, choosing the cult classic,Hocus Pocus.

Dinner included a robust debate about thrillers and which ones Della and Adam considered the best and the worst. I spent most of the time listening while I watched Della's animated use of her hands when she talked. She was full of energy and absolutely adorable. The more I got to know her, the more I liked her uniqueness and strong character. Della was the type of person who knew what she wanted and went for it. And once she got going, Della was a tenacious lioness, refusing to give up.

They ended their conversation with Adam conceding several points and agreeing to disagree on the rest. Della grinned, looking pleased with her victory. Frowning, Adam rolled his eyes like he frequently did during their friendly banter.

Adam nodded toward the doorway. "Della's going to try her luck with the crane machine in the arcade. They have a two-person Pac-Man table over there. Do you want to play?"

"Yeah, why not. I haven't played it in years. I'm not sure how decent I'll be, but I'll give it a go."

Adam paid the bill, insisting it was his turn, and we headed to the room next door. Della went to the crane machine while Adam set up our game. From the onset, it was clear I was rusty at Pac-Man, and Adam was an expert. He racked up the points. I kept getting eaten by the ghosts. After kicking my butt, Adam moved to the single-player Pac-Man. I joined Della.

I studied the pile of stuffed animals and dolls behind the glass as Della started the crane. "Are you trying to get a specific toy?"

"Yep. See that Wonder Woman cloth doll? I want to get it for Sofie's daughter. I think she'd love it." Della grimaced as she snared the Mario doll lying on top of Wonder Woman, only to have it slip through the crane's claws. "Shoot. I wanted to snag that one so it would be out of the way, but I'm back where I started." After several attempts, Della gave up and went for one of the Luigi dolls with easier access. She made a triumphant fist pump as Luigi dropped into the hole.

I eyed the pile of toys. "You want me to try to get the Wonder Woman doll?"

"Do you think you can?" The uncertainty in Della's voice told me she was skeptical.

"Maybe. You moved the Mario doll enough that Wonder Woman is at a better angle. Can't hurt to try."

"Okay, smarty pants. Go for it." Della used her game card for another round.

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