Page 63 of Dancing with My Elf
“How about a board game?” Gianna suggested.
Nova arched her brows. “I thought you called them bored-to-death games.”
Gianna tapped Nova’s shoulder. “That’s before I learned how you break the rules.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Lucas turned to me. “Are you in?”
“Sure.” When was the last time I played a board game? I couldn’t even remember.
“Now that Zoe is here, let’s come up with a new twist,” Lucas suggested.
“Shall I be afraid?” I quipped.
“Very.” Gianna nodded with a wide grin.
Minutes later, we’d cleared off the coffee table and set up a Monopoly board. We each had a glass of wine. They brainstormed various ideas of how to shake up the game.
“Okay, I’ve got it,” Lucas said. “If you land on a property for sale, the person to your right has to describe it.” He raised his hand and turned it palm up. “Not some bland description. Give the listing some flavor, a background, a story.”
“And then you decide if you want to buy it,” Nova added.
“How will we figure out who wins?” Sebastian asked.
“Whoever has the most assets at the end,” Diego said.
The game seemed destined to fall apart, but I wasn’t going to be a Debbie Downer. Lucas hadn’t steered me wrong yet.
When Lucas landed on St. Charles Place, Diego picked up the property card. “Once an opulent hotel, this property fell on hard times during the Depression.” Diego slowed his description with dramatic flair. “It was then taken over by the mafia. After several mobsters were massacred in a hit, it is said to be haunted by their spirits.” He raised his chin, “Malevolentspirits.” With a cheerful grin, he asked, “So, Lucas, do you want to buy this hotel with a history?”
“Hell yes.” Lucas snorted. “I live with a vampire and wolf. What’s a few pissed off ghosts?”
When I landed on Marvin Gardens, Nova read it as, “These grounds are inhabited by mischievous brownies, grumpy gnomes, and prank-loving fairies. But the flowers are spectacular. Do you want to buy it?”
“Grumpy gnomes? Is there any other kind?” I’d never met a gnome, so I was just going with the flow. “Sure, I’ll buy it—and invest in sharp garden tools.”
As the game progressed, everyone cared about the storytelling over the assets or money. This version was ridiculous but fun. Spending time with Lucas always was. Although a part of me still worried about any additional demon threats, everyone there had encounters with demons and were able to enjoy their downtime. Maybe I should learn to be more like them.
After the game ended with no clear winner despite the guys arguing about the value of their assets, Diego said, “I know what’s next.”
“What?” Nova asked.
He rubbed his hands together. “Monty Python.”
Gianna placed a hand on her hip. “What, is that the go to move when a woman hangs out here?”
“Why not?” Diego gestured with an open hand. “I introduced Nova to it. We introduced you.” He motioned to me. “Zoe, have you seen any Monty Python?”
I cocked my head. “Yes, some.”
“Guess there goes the introduction.” Lucas’s eyes twinkled as he turned to me. “Does that mean you like it?”
“Of course.”
He moaned and placed his hand on his chest. “My dream girl.” He flashed his Lucas-wide smile.
Hot shivers of delight warmed me. Sure, he was likely kidding, but I liked hearing him say it.
“Can I convince you to stay for more ridiculousness?” he asked.
