Page 19 of The Game

We stand there in silence for a few minutes, but it’s comfortable. Feels natural even though we barely know each other.

“Better?”

I nod. “Better.”

“Have you got a clean dish towel somewhere?” He scans the handful of cupboards and drawers.

I nod toward the drawer on the left and he pulls out a dish towel, laughing when he sees the unicorn farting rainbows on it. He runs the towel under cold water, then carefully wraps it around my thumb.

“Keep that on there and run it under cold water if it starts hurting again.”

“Are you secretly a doctor? Like, who was that kid from the old TV show that was a teenage doctor?”

He snorts. “Doogie Howser?”

“Yeah. That one. From the memes.”

“No, I am most decidedly not a doctor. Just have some experience looking after my siblings.”

Interesting. Now that we’re standing, the awkwardness of a stranger in my space is setting in, so I move away from him over to the offending oven. I scoop a perfectly golden cookie off the tray, sliding it onto a small plate.

“Cookie? As thanks for the medical attention?”

His smile spreads, and he reaches out to accept my offering. “Only cause they look delicious. You don’t owe me anything.”

I jerk it away. “Wait. You’re not allergic to nuts, are you?”

“Nope.” He chases the plate, snatching the cookie. After stuffing three quarters of it in his mouth, chocolate oozes out, dripping onto his chin. “Mmm, that’s fantastic.”

The compliment fills me up with a warm glow. I love experimenting with different recipes, looking forward to theday when I can serve the favorites in my own cafe. Darryl wouldn’t even try my baked goods. Said it wasn’t part of his healthy eating plan. Didn’t have a problem with pizza once a week though.

“The secret is the combination of milk and semisweet chocolate chips, and a hint of cinnamon. With the walnuts…” I kiss my fingers, flicking them away. “Chef’s kiss. Did you want some coffee as well?”

“No. I’m fine. I came over to ask you something. Can we maybe go sit down somewhere?”

“Yeah. Let me just…” I reach out with my good hand, swiping the glob of chocolate off his chin and holding it in front of his face. “You got a little something here.”

I watch his eyes settle on my thumb inches away from his mouth. I blush, realizing how weird that was, and stick it in my own mouth, sucking off the chocolate and ducking my head.

When I look back up, there’s a shine of laughter in his rich chocolate eyes as he tucks his lower lip between his teeth.

“Come on. We can sit on the couch. Or if you’re feeling really spicy, there’s the couch.”

I lead to him to the daisy covered two-seater that is in fact the only place to sit in here. Other than my bed, of course. My eyes stray to the corner of my bachelor, where the bed is tucked away. I’ve never minded how tiny my place is. It is only me after all, but he takes up so much space it’s starting to feel a little crowded.

“Have a seat.” He sinks into the overstuffed cushion, and I almost plop down next to him. As my ass is hovering over theseat, I rethink my choice, standing up and sinking to the floor across from him. I pull my knees up to my chin.

“You don’t have to sit on the floor in your own place, you know? I don’t bite.”

My face scrunches up. “I’m good. It’s good for the back. Sitting on the floor.” No idea if that’s true, but he lets the bullshit slide.

He hunches forward, propping his elbows on his knees and dropping his chin onto his fisted hands. His eyes roam the tiny space, refusing to land on my face. Fine by me. I’ve embarrassed myself enough for a week or maybe a month.

“I rushed over here with this amazing idea, and now that I’m here, I’m regretting every life decision I’ve ever made,” he says, shifting in his seat.

“Fantastic. That’s promising. Did you need a kidney perhaps? I’ve got two. I might be able to spare one.”

He laughs. “No. I’m good on that front. Thanks. I guess my question doesn’t seem nearly as intense now, so thanks for that.”

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