Page 71 of Absolute Certainty
He added in her order, and the keypad lit up with a number.Good. He let her pay this time, keeping his word.She tapped her phone and walked to the other side with him.
“Okay, so we’re having aCluegame night, but I refuse to do so without six people. Wanna be our sixth? It’ll be me, Wills, Ethan, Christian, and likely Miles.”
Nodding, he seemed to be processing her invite. “Sure, what time?”
“Right after the show. When does your shift end?”
“In two hours.”
“Oh, shit. You okay hanging around? You’re welcome backstage if you’d like.”
She noticed Willa moving closer from her peripheral. Once she was near, she propped her chin on Sahar’s shoulder. “Please come. Sahar and Ethan scare me when a game’s involved. Christian and Miles only enable. I need an objective third party who will be a little more mellow.”
A barely there smile spread over his lips. “Yeah. Okay. Sounds good. I’ve got some errands to run, so I can meet you all afterward at the theatre.”
Sahar took her drink from the counter, popped her straw in, and sipped. “Excellent!” Turning to Christian next, she asked, “Did Miles confirm?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’ll be there.”
Willa and Ethan grabbed their drinks from Molly, said bye, and walked toward the door.
Sahar looked back at Jay. “Just in case, I’m going to give our guards your name and information. If you finish your errands with too much time to kill, go to the stage door and come inside. You can at least wait indoors and away from the heat.”
He acknowledged with a nod.
She could feel his gaze follow her as she walked out the door—wanted to turn back,badly—but she let the giddy anticipation of seeing him again be enough. This could be fun. Reallyfun.You could learn a lot about someone based on how they reacted to losing a board game.Monopolycould tear houses apart.Cluecould, too.
And oddly, this wasn’t as nerve-wracking as being alone with him. It’d also likely be a better outcome than her birthday last year, where Martin ruined a DnD party with his prissy attitude.
No matter how Jay behaved, she was sure it wouldn’t be worse than Martin.
17
WILLA
The original plan had been to go over to Willa and Sahar’s place, but Ethan had convinced everyone they should go to his instead because his dining room table was bigger, and he’d just bought a bunch of snacks. It worked conveniently because he also had a better variety of alcohol, and they’d ordered pizza from another favorite spot of theirs that was closer to his apartment in Manhattan.
After eating, they quickly set up the game table while Sahar threw the colorful character pawns in a bowl, and then went around the group. She stepped in front of Jay first. “Everyone, close your eyes and choose.”
He regarded her first, a spark glinting in his gaze. Willa wondered if Sahar noticed it. Jay shut his eyes, dug his hand into the bowl, and picked Mr. Green.
Sahar moved to the others, Miles next, who chose Colonel Mustard. Willa rummaged inside the bowl, her longer nails making extra clicking sounds, and got Professor Plum. Ethan picked Miss Peacock. Christian took out the red totem for Miss Scarlet, leaving Sahar with Mrs. White.
“We all know the rules, yeah?” Sahar said.
“Yes, yes, let’s go,” Miles replied, chomping down aggressively on a hot Cheeto and gesturing for everyone to take their seats.
Christian took a swig of his beer. “And no one’s allowed to help their partner win.”
“Say my name, man. I’m the only one here who’d help their girl,” Ethan bit back.
Puffing his chest, Christian jokingly stood in front of Ethan. “I was talking to you, double E.”
Willa smiled and sat down. “Don’t worry, Christian. I know there’s no room for love in a game with him.”
Miles barked out a laugh. Sahar smirked in their direction.
“Okay, but wait, what are we playing for?” Ethan asked.
