Page 33 of The Game

Her eyes narrow and she pulls back into herself. I’m not sure what I said to cause that. “I can’t come to all your games. I’ve got other things to do.”

“I know.”

She’s struggling with the door even before I’ve put it in park, so I reach over to still her hand. “Hey, I’ll grab it.”

I get out of the car, coming around to her side to pull the complaining door open. She scrambles up, but I grab her hand before she can scurry away.

“Thanks for coming tonight. It really was great to have you there. Can we get together sometime this week? Make a little public appearance to keep up the illusion.”

Her nod is small and tight. “For sure.”

“Great. See you soon, Coffee Girl.”

Her lips tug up at the corners at the nickname.

“See you soon, boyfriend.”

Chapter 13

Secrets And Pies

Jazz

The heavenly aroma ofespresso still hasn’t taken over the new store smell when I walk through the glass front door of Cool Beans. The board game cafe opened at the end of the summer, and I haven’t had a chance to stop in yet. Well-worn boxes line tall shelves around the back three corners of the room.

I take my time walking around the tables, hugging my worn backpack to my chest like a shield. The five of them are laughing, and Rob is dealing out cards. It’s been too long since I hung with my friends.

Amira glances up, her face lighting up when she sees me. “Jazz. I’m so glad you came. Which baby unicorn do you want to be?”

My shoulders finally relax at the warm welcome and the matching smiles on the faces of the group. Unstable Unicorns,of course. I haven’t played it in a while but it’s pretty easy to pick up on. The main deck is laid out along with a handful of expansions, including the NSFW one. Nice.

“Baby Narwhal, of course. You better not have stolen him, Rob.”

“Wouldn’t dare,” he says, shaking his head.

“I’m gonna grab myself a coffee before I sit down if that’s ok.” I glance at the menu board chalked onto the wall behind the rainbow-colored counter.

“I got you. Cappuccino, extra shot?”

The last of the tension flows out, and a warm feeling spreads through my chest. “Yes. You remembered. Thank you so much, Amira.” Now I’m wondering why I was so nervous about reconnecting with them.

“Not a problem at all. You can buy the chips and guac later. They make homemade chips here, and I’ve heard they’re life changing.”

I glance around the table, searching for any sign that they’re still mad about my desertion, but there is nothing but kindness here. Molly, Rob, Trinity, and Deacon all look as happy to see me as Amira did.

“Will do.”

Three hours fly by in a blur of laugher until we’re rushing to clean up the game pieces scattered across the table so the next group can claim it.

“And here I am, bringing my business plans with me and everything. I thought maybe we’d get in a bit of time to chat biz stuff.”

“We could take this somewhere else for a little chat if you feel like it,” Rob says.

Molly glances over my shoulder at the wall clock, lips pursed. “Wish I could, but I’ve got a date.”

“Yeah, sorry, Jazz. I’ve got plans too,” Trinity says, twirling a brown curl around her finger.

“I’ve gotta go meet Phil, but you’re not going to bail out on me Tuesday to get started on the planning for our charity event, right?”

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