Page 24 of Stone's Promise

I felt flutters in my stomach at his compliment, a little flirtation weaving between us. “I like a man with a dry sense of humor.”

“You should do something nice for yourself. Cleaning all weekend doesn’t sound fun.”

“It isn’t, but I don’t feel like going out by myself,” I admitted, my heart racing. Was I actually flirting with him?

There was a pause on his end before he spoke again. “We could go downtown.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I’m tired of dressing up for the press. Don’t laugh, but I’d really like to check out one of those old-school arcades.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I said don’t laugh.”

“I couldn’t help it. I remember my uncle used to take me. We’d play Space Invaders and those fighting games with all the kooky characters throwing fireballs.”

I chuckled, picturing him as a kid, absorbed in games. “Let’s see, you’re not a commander of a space fleet. I’m guessing the fighting games also had a hand in your career choice.”

“Are you calling me kooky?” he asked, his tone lighthearted.

“No way. I’m just really, really bad at flirting. Ugh.”

I heard keys rattling on the other end. “Why don’t you put the dustpan down and think about which fighter you want to choose to try to beat me?”

I smiled, genuine joy bubbling up in me. “Challenge accepted.”

Chapter Seven

EMILY

After ending the call, I took a lightning-speed shower and threw on a cute gray jumpsuit, pairing it with a little jean jacket, new from Mama’s boutique. The fitted material of the jumpsuit hugged my curves, and the low-cut neckline was definitely on the flirty side. Maybe this should’ve been left in the juniors' section.

I eyed myself in the mirror, debating for half a second before I saw Cody’s truck pulling up outside. Time ran out for second-guessing my outfit. I grabbed my crew socks, scrunched them just right, and slipped on my high-top sneakers.

When I stepped outside, Cody’s gaze swept over me, lingering just long enough to send a warm pulse through my stomach.

“You look so good.” His voice had that low, appreciative rasp that sent heat curling through me.

“Thank you.” I patted Max’s head as I climbed into the truck, letting the compliment settle in my chest. “I was trying to do an early ’90s look since we’re going to an arcade.”

“Nailed it.”

Cody’s eyes flicked downward for a brief second, catching on the neckline of my jumpsuit. I bit my lip, pretending not to notice, though I definitely noticed. That small glance sent a thrill through me, like a secret between us neither of us had said out loud yet.

As we pulled up to the arcade, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The place was buzzing with neon lights, the flashing glow of game screens illuminating the faces of kids and adults alike. The sounds of classic 8-bit music, beeping buttons, and the occasional victory cheer filled the air. Groups huddled around pinball machines, teenagers were furiously mashing buttons at a side-scrolling beat-’em-up, and somewhere in the back, the familiar chime of Pac-Man gobbling pellets played on repeat.

Cody leaned in slightly, his voice low near my ear. “Glad people are focused on their games and not on us as much.”

I inhaled, catching the scent of his cologne mixed with the fresh, clean smell of his clothes. It was subtle, warm, comforting, and yet dangerous in the way it made me want to lean in just a little closer.

I turned toward the nearest fighting game, a vintage setup with big, colorful buttons and joysticks that had clearly seen years of intense battles. Tossing Cody a playful look, I hit the start button. “Ready to surrender to the new queen of the ring, champ?”

Cody cracked his knuckles, his mouth tilting into a slow grin. “You’re cute when you talk big.”

I scoffed, waiting for the machine to load. “We’ll see who’s talking big when I wipe the floor with you.”

He chuckled, stepping up to the Player 2 platform beside me. “Just remember. No hard feelings when you lose.”

I arched a brow. “Oh, you’re going down.”

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