Page 104 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

Several bingo players look around the room, confused by the game, but the caller goes on, reaching into the basket for another piece of paper.

“Next up we have…Never have I ever kissed a woman in a coat closet.”

I mark my card…and so do many others.

“Ooo! This one is spicy! Hope you ladies—and Freddie—have brought your fans.Never have I ever gotten fired for having S-E-X at work.”

Oh god. I knew I shouldn’t have let Alma make the cards.

I place a dot on the space and try not to smirk when I see a few others do the same.

“Oh, this one I have done. Did not end well,” the caller says, clearing their throat. “Never have I ever had a roommate I was insanely attracted to.”

Another mark.

We go through several more.

Never have I ever intentionally lost a bet because I knew how badly someone else needed the confidence boost.

Never have I ever broken into a pool and gone skinny-dipping after hours.

Never have I ever missed someone so much it felt like my entire body was on fire.

“Awww,” the caller says. “This one is so sweet.” They hold the paper to their chest, smiling brightly. “It saysNever have I ever fallen in love.”

“BINGO!” I yell, shooting up from my chair.

Several people are startled by my reaction, and I kind of feel bad because this room is filled with some very old people who likely have fragile hearts, but that’s not my focus right now.

My focus is solely on Holland, who is staring at me with wide eyes.

“That’s not fair! He cheated!” someone shouts.

“Boy doesn’t even have enough hair on his balls to do half these things, especially the sex one!” another old lady shouts.

I ignore them.

Holland stands when I begin to make my way over to her.

Her eyes dart all over the room, taking in the nearly 75 people who are all staring at us.

With trepidation, she meets me halfway.

When we’re standing just a few inches apart, we stop.

And suddenly I don’t know what to say. I have no idea how to start.

I thought for sure I’d just know in the moment, but all words have left my brain.

“I had a feeling Alma was up to something when she wouldn’t take no for an answer tonight.”

I grin sheepishly, reaching up and squeezing the back of my neck. “This was all her idea.”

“What’s she got on you?” She steps closer. “Did she kill someone and you helped bury the body? Blink twice if you’re here against your will.”

I’d laugh, but with her standing so close…with that familiar hint of cherry hitting me…I can’t do anything but stare at her.

Growing uncomfortable under my gaze and the stares of everyone else, she takes another step closer, nearly closing the gap between us completely.

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