Page 27 of Playing Flirty

You play D&D?Wait, what?

But I knew her before she blossomed into this confident version of herself. Neema and I met at the board games club at college, which is also where we met Claire and Lincoln. Of all the things I learned at San Diego State University, D&D was the thing I least expected.

Since then, every time it was her turn to pick a game, she picked D&D—and she was always the Dungeon Master.

“William,” Neema said, tightening her cape, which my mother had helped her make, “you’re joining.”

“I’m not. I’m working.” He gestured to the thing he was shooting on his screen.

“Lincoln and Claire aren’t here, and Patrick won’t play.” Neema gestured to Patrick, who had taken a call on the balcony.

“Can’t we play something else? I got a new poker set.” William blew out a breath as he shut down his laptop.

“No, because you cheat,” I said, hating how he always managed to read my hand.

William met my gaze, albeit for a microsecond, before saying, “I never cheat. I like winning fair and square.”

Don’t read into that, Rose. You didn’t cheat on Patrick. Nothing happened. Nothing would ever happen. Besides, he didn’t mean anything by it.

This wasn’t a game I knew how to play. I swallowed, unable to find a proper comeback, and resorted to, “Then how?”

“A wizard never reveals his secrets.” William swiped the wizard figurine and offered us a wicked grin. There were still elements of his anger in the angles of his face, but with eachminute that passed, the playful William I was accustomed to returned and urged the rival in me to join him.

Instead, I hopped up and met Patrick on the balcony. He ended the call and slipped a hand into his pocket. His green eyes were dull, and the bags underneath them darkened. It was clear he wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Sexy Stacey really did a number on William,” Patrick whispered, glancing to the door. “He used to be difficult to be around but now he’s unbearable.”

“He’s not all bad.” The words escaped before I could stop them.

Patrick scoffed as he shot off a text. The distance between us was growing, and I feared I wouldn’t be able to cross it, even if I tried. But I had to try. “Do you wanna get out of here? I’ll skip game night for you.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

He sighed, and everything within me shrank.

“I’m exhausted, babe.”

“I know.” I swallowed around the hard, unmovable lump in my throat and kept my eyes fixed on the way the city bled into the ocean in the distance. I couldn’t turn around and face him because, if I did, I feared I’d see his lack of interest and the absence of yearning. The mere thought of it shredded the dwindling remains of my self-esteem. “You should get an early night.”

“But then you’ll be mad.” Patrick ran a hand over his face. “I don’t want you to be mad.”

I took a sharp inhale and blinked a few times before plastering on the smile my mother had taught me to wear. “I won’t be mad.”

And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t.

Round 10

It wasn’t surprising when Patrick didn’t show up to the next game night. No one asked. Not even me.

Luckily, I had enough distractions—such as Neema and Shaun pulling William and me aside with matching grins on their faces.

“Rose,” Neema said, batting her lash extensions at me.

“William,” Shaun added.

William stood and offered me a cheeky and knowing glance. We both knew what was coming, having bet on it a couple times in the past.

“Will you be our maid of honor?” Neema asked me.

“And our best man?” Shaun asked William.

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