Page 42 of Playing Flirty

“Why can’t I be involved?” Shaun gulped down a forkful of food. “I know things about board games too.”

William smiled at his brother. “Okay, name one thing you’d change in her game.”

“Nothing. It was awesome.” Shaun grinned at me.

“Exactly.”

“Well, at least eat here before you abandon me,” Shaun said, shoveling another forkful into his mouth.

“Fine.” William turned to me. “But eat fast before the third part of your weird trio gets here.”

The door opened, and Shaun smiled as Neema walked in. “Too late.”

William threw his head back and groaned.

“Please give me five minutes to catch up?” I said, having already finished most of my meal.

William’s brows drew together in confusion. “You live with her.”

“Yes, but she left this morning before I woke up. It’s been, like, eighteen hours since we’ve seen each other.”

“Rose, can we talk about…” Neema gestured toward my outfit, or my hair, or face, or probably everything. “… this?”

For a moment, I had forgotten I looked like a used washcloth. Mortified, my cheeks heated. “I had a rough day. My assignment was due, I was thinking about my game, and Markham was creepier than usual.”

“What did he do?” Concern laced my best friend’s voice.

“Nothing.” I shook my head, trying to shake away the memory of his voice and the way he stared at me. “He hasn’tdoneanything, but he kinda lurks around my desk, and in meetings, he either sits right up against me or directly opposite me.”

William turned to Shaun, the muscle in his jaw flexing. “How are you okay with this?”

“He’s our boss, and he hasn’t done anything,” I said before Shaun could respond. “I’m fine. It’s all fine, and everything is fine.” I offered William what I hoped was a convincing smile.

The line between his dark brows only deepened.

“Soon enough, he’ll realize nothing will ever happen between us. He isn’t my type.”

“Who is your type?” Neema asked. “You were with Patrick for so long, maybe it’s time to date again—for fun, at least.”

“How?” I swallowed the last of my spaghetti, wishing I’d asked for more. “I have no idea how to date, and the thought of having to get to know someone new is making me nauseous.”

“Use Spark,” Neema said.

William cringed and shook his head. “Don’t use Spark.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“It’s good for casual hookups, and according to you, you’re not that kind of girl.” He stood, and with a final huff, disappeared onto the balcony.

“I think it might be what I need.” I turned to Neema and immediately hated the idea of it. “Maybe not. I don’t know.”

Neema shook her head. She wouldn’t takenofor an answer. Holding out her palm, she said, “Give me your phone.”

I handed it over, and within three minutes I had a Spark profile set up with her choice of photo and bio.

“You can go talk board games.” She made a shooing gesture with one hand. “I can do this on my own.”

I grabbed my game and joined William on the balcony, where he was playing on his phone.

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