Page 16 of Desolation

“I promised Mr. Cartwell I would play another game of chess with him.”

“I don’t know why you hang out with that grumpy old man. He is unbearable.”

I shrug. “To pretty much everyone but me.”

“Well, if you ever get bored of him, I’m always around. And I can even pop my dentures out.”

Marianne’s eyes widen and she starts to cough to keep from laughing.

I lean down to Georgia’s ear. “I’ll keep that in mind.” I give her a kiss on the cheek, wink, and walk away.

Not before I hear her say. “That boy is going to marry me someday.”

I shake my head as I make my way over to Mr. Cartwell for another round of chess.

We end up playing two rounds. I win the first round but he wins the second.

“Best out of three, boy. I told you, you ain’t great at everything.”

“Maybe I’m just out of practice.”

“Lies,” he shouts. “That’s what they all say when they lose. You just need to know I am the best.”

I smirk at him. “Oh, I know you are. Better than anyone here.”

“Wipe that attitude off your face.”

“If I did that then you would have no one to argue with.”

He mumbles as he takes a sip from his iced tea. I know he spikes it with whiskey but I keep my mouth shut.

Movement from my left side makes my head turn. Marianne is walking out and there is no way in hell I am letting her leave without me getting a phone number or a date.

“Well, Mr. Cartwell, I need to go.”

“I see your charm didn’t work on that one.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as I look down the glass hall to see how much I need to catch up.

“That woman wanted nothing to do to you. No wonder she made a beeline.”

“Think what you want.” I say as I back away.

“I don’t need to think what I want. I know the truth. You are going to crash and burn, boy.”

I turn away from him and jog down the hallway laughing. I will never let Mr. Cartwell know he’s right. I couldn’t take the smugness.

“Marianne,” I shout when I am a few yards away.

She looks over her shoulder at me but then keeps walking toward the parking lot.

“Come on, slow down. I just wanted to ask you something.”

She makes her way to a Jaguar and I have to say I am impressed by her car.

She throws her oversized purse into the passenger seat before turning toward me. “Look Landon it was nice to meet you but there is nothing here,” she says gesturing between the two of us.

“Mmhmm.” I respond, my finger and thumb stroking my chin. “How about you give me your phone number and I’ll take you out for dinner.”

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