Page 185 of Dream Girl
Yes, I should get myself one, thenIcould take her on rides. Mmmm. What would she look like as we rode through Greece or Italy at sunset?
Riley pushed the tablet toward us. “I’m happy you mated Evan, and that you make Spence happy. Approve.”
“Thank you, that means everything.” Grace looked at the tablet and ordered a beer and some onion rings.
I ordered everyone’s usual drinks, as well as mine, and some additional food items, taking everyone’s likes into account.
“Game time. Yes, we’re playing the dance game.” Riley dragged us over to the dance game.
There were two platforms and a game screen. The moves flashed on the screen, and the players moved on their platforms to match as music played. Score was kept, and fun was had by all.
“Spence and I will show you how it’s done. Then you can try it with him. He’s bad at it,” Riley added.
Opening the app on her phone, she swiped it on the game console to pay for our turn.
“If you insist,” I told her, getting onto one of the platforms.
“Oh, I do.” She grinned as she chose the song and level.
Grace peered at the screen. “I’ve played something like this.”
Huh, I suppose she might have.
The music played, and I followed the movements on the screen, making just enough mistakes so she’d win, without her thinking I was letting her win. It was good exercise, especially since I didn’t play tennis after work today.
The lights blinked around her platform, marking Riley as the winner. We then played again. Grace stood watching us, grinning.
Or rather, she was watching me.
Riley won again. Bowing, she hopped off. “Your turn.”
“Okay. Warning, I have done zero cardio lately other than Jett’s living room dance practice.” She got onto the platform.
“I’ll choose an easy one.” Riley paid for another game and selected a beginner song.
The game started, this time I didn’t hold back–but I didn’t show off. Grace, however, knewexactlywhat she was doing. It was difficult to focus on the movements flashing on the screen so I could replicate them, and not her lithe form.
Or the pure joy on her face.
Oh, my heart. The song ended, and the lights declared her the winner.
“Yay, you won.” Riley gave her a hug. “Well done, Spence. I knew you’d get the hang of this game, eventually. More?”
Grace smiled at me, joy still in her eyes. “That was fun, but I’ve got my cardio for the day. Does this place have the game where you roll balls into holes?”
Riley laughed. “Um, what? I don’t think so? But let’s play the blaster game.”
She dragged us to the other side of the arcade.
“You’re very good at that game–and you hold back with Riley.” Grace smiled at me again.
Something about those smiles and her blue eyes sparked long-forgotten joy in my soul.
“Shhh. I don’t hold back that much. She’s good,” I whispered back.
We played a shooting game that gave you points to use at the arcade shop. A game which Grace excelled at.
“Wow. If your job with Spence doesn’t work out, maybe you should join the academy.” Jett stood there, holding an iced coffee.
