Page 70 of The Proximity Effect

It landed on purple.

“Connection prompt! And since I rolled the highest dice total, I get to decide.”

Tessa eyed me warily. “Why do I feel like I’m about to regret everything?”

I tapped my chin thoughtfully, though I’d already made my decision the moment I saw her roll. “You have to sit in Archer’s lap for the entire game.”

Archer’s head snapped up from scrolling on his phone. “What?”

I winked at Tessa. “Unless you’d rather take a shot?”

Her gaze flickered between the tequila and Archer. “Nope, I choose the lap.” She stood up, straightened her shoulders like she was about to give a presentation, and marched over to him.

Archer adjusted his posture so fast it was almost comical, hands hovering like he wasn’t sure where to put them until she settled against him. His eyes briefly closed when she wiggled to get comfortable, the movement earning me a sharp glare that only made it harder to hold back my laughter.

“Next round!” I sounded a little too enthusiastic, but this was better than cable TV.

We all rolled again, and Liam ended up with the lowest total. The colored die clattered across the table and landed on red.

“Confession time. Tell us about your most embarrassing dating story.” I was really relishing my victory so far.

Liam didn’t hesitate, already reaching for the tequila. “Pass.”

Tessa huffed from her perch on Archer’s lap. “Oh, come on! Now I need to know.”

Archer’s thumb absently traced circles on Tessa’s hip, his focus still on Liam. “Trust me, you really don’t.”

Grinning, I leaned forward. “It involves a hot tub and his ex’s grandmother.”

The throw pillow hit me square in the face before I could dodge it.

Liam shook his head, fighting a smile as he poured his shot. “That’s it. I’m making the next prompt extra evil when I win.”

I watched as Liam downed his shot, making a face that suggested the tequila was about as smooth as sandpaper. His refusal to share the hot tub story only made Tessa more interested, judging by how she kept glancing between us with narrowed eyes.

We all rolled, and Archer came out on top with Tessa rolling the lowest again. Her colored roll landed on blue.

“Hm… what would a good challenge be?” Archer’s voice was rougher than usual, probably because Tessa had shifted in his lap again. “Time to show us your best lap dance moves.”

I choked on my drink and Liam sat up straighter. And Tessa? She turned so red I worried she might spontaneously combust.

“On who?” she squeaked.

“Your choice.” Archer still had his hands firmly on her hips like he was daring her to pick someone other than him. The possessive gesture wasn’t lost on any of us.

Tessa bit her lip. “I might need liquid courage for this one.” She reached for the tequila, but I beat her to it.

“Allow me.” I poured her shot with a flourish.

She knocked it back like a pro, barely wincing. “Okay, but I need music. And everyone has to promise not to laugh.”

“Scout’s honor.” I scrolled through my phone until I found the perfect song with a slow, heavy beat that practically screamed ‘take your clothes off.’

As the music started, Tessa stood, rolling her shoulders like she was preparing for battle. “Remember that you asked for this.” She leaned down and kissed Archer’s cheek before turning to look at me. “It’s only fair the creator of such a great game gets the lap dance.”

Archer suddenly looked like he might be regretting not specifying the recipient of his challenge. “You know, I think I misspoke. This is more of a connection thing than a challenge.”

I caught Liam’s eye across the coffee table, and we shared a knowing look. “Too late. She already accepted.”

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