Page 83 of Lavender and Honey

"What about a card game?" I suggest before I can second-guess myself. "Something simple? That's... sort of in between, isn't it? More interactive than a movie but less intense than Monopoly."

The suggestion hangs in the air for a beat before Soren's face splits into a wide grin. "See? Lydia gets it. She's a genius."

Lucian inclines his head slightly in acknowledgment. "A reasonable compromise. What did you have in mind?"

I hadn't thought that far ahead, and I feel my confidence wavering. "I don't know many games, to be honest. Maybe something easy to learn?"

"I know just the thing," Elias says, rising from his chair with a fluid grace that makes it look effortless. "We have a perfect card game for beginners—fun, simple rules, but still strategic."

He disappears into another room while Soren begins clearing the dessert plates, humming something upbeat under his breath. Finn stands to help him, their movements synchronized in a way that speaks of long familiarity. Lucian remains seated, his steel-gray eyes studying me with quiet intensity.

"You're enjoying yourself?" he asks softly, the question gentle but direct.

I consider deflecting, offering the expected politeness, but something in his gaze encourages honesty. "Yes," I admit, equally soft. "More than I expected to."

His expression warms, the subtle shift as meaningful as another person's broad smile. "Good. That's all we want." My hands are restless in my lap, unused to this kind of opensincerity. I'm saved from having to respond by Elias's return, a small box in his hands.

"Found it!" he announces triumphantly, setting the game on the table where our plates had been. "It's called Codenames. We can play in teams."

"Dibs on Lydia," Soren calls immediately, darting back to the table.

"That's not fair," Finn protests mildly. "You're already unnaturally good at this game."

"All the more reason to pair him with me," I say with unexpected boldness. "I have no idea what I'm doing, so it balances out."

Soren's delighted laugh rings through the dining room, bright and infectious. "See? She's perfect. My Lavender girl's got jokes!" The nickname still sends a flutter through my chest, equal parts pleasure and lingering discomfort at being so easily claimed. But it's becoming familiar now, almost comforting in its consistency.

Elias begins setting up the game, arranging small cards in a grid pattern while explaining the rules. It's simple enough—word associations, trying to get your teammate to guess certain words while avoiding others. Teams take turns, one person giving a one-word clue while the other tries to guess which words on the table it connects to.

"Finn and I will be one team," Elias decides. "Soren and Lydia the other. Lucian can be our neutral judge since we have an odd number."

"Perfect for Lucian," Soren stage-whispers to me. "He loves being the authority figure."

Lucian merely lifts an eyebrow, but there's a hint of amusement in his eyes. "At least I can be trusted to follow rules."

"Rules are more like... guidelines," Soren counters with a wink in my direction, and I find myself smiling back without thinking.We arrange ourselves around the table, Soren settling beside me while Finn and Elias take the opposite side. Our shoulders brush as Soren leans in conspiratorially.

"We've got this," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "Elias overthinks his clues, and Finn's too literal."

"I heard that," Elias protests, though his expression remains playful. "And you're setting unrealistic expectations for Lydia. She'll be disappointed when you turn out to be terrible at this."

Soren clutches his chest as if wounded. "You wound me, truly. Just for that, we're going to crush you."

Lucian shakes his head, but I catch the small smile that flits across his face as he deals out the word cards. "Let's begin before Soren's trash talk gets any worse." The game starts, and I'm immediately drawn in by its simple but engaging premise. Elias gives clues to Finn, sometimes groaning when Finn misinterprets his meaning. When it's our turn, Soren proves to be surprisingly strategic, his playful demeanor shifting to reveal a sharp mind underneath.

"Nature, two," he tells me, his purple eyes intent on mine.

I scan the grid of words, trying to think like Soren would. "Forest," I guess, pointing to one of the cards.

"Yes!" He beams at me like I've done something remarkable. "And?"

I bite my lip, considering the remaining words. "Stream?"

"Perfect!" Soren throws his hands up in victory, then impulsively wraps an arm around my shoulders in a quick half-hug. "We're unstoppable!"

The casual touch startles me, but not unpleasantly. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself leaning into the brief contact rather than pulling away as I might have just weeks ago.

"Lucky guess," Finn says with a good-natured eye roll. "Our turn, Elias."

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