Page 105 of The Games We Play
Eventually, I popped up to the surface and swam toward the others. We floated, joked, and basked in the ease of it all. At one point, the group naturally split—girls on one side, guys on the other.
Ellie raised her drink. “Thank you all, seriously. You’ve been so inviting since I came back. I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
I reached out and rubbed her forearm. “You’re one of us now. You’ve got us for life.”
“Facts,” Aspen chimed in. “We’re happy to have you.”
“We need a girls’ night,” Theo said with a mischievous grin.
“Ooh, maybe at Aspen’s cabin?” I suggested.
Aspen’s face lit up. “Yes! Spa night, wine, music, maybe some deep, emotional soul-bonding.”
I laughed. “And secrets. We’re spilling all the secrets.”
That last part was for me. Maybe a girls’ night would be the perfect opportunity to finally say out loud what I hadn’t told any of them.
I glanced across the water, finding Mac immediately. Just seeing him sent a rush through me. The memories of what it felt like to be on the verge of something with him—teetering between casual fun and something real—hit me.
We were finding our way back, step by step. But deep down, I knew I needed more than flirtation and stolen moments.I needed reassurance that this time, it was different. That I wouldn’t be left picking up the pieces again.
I felt us edging what we once were, but I needed that final mile, that honest conversation, thatproofbefore I handed him my heart again.
31
PENNY
Penny: Pick up pick up! I have to show you what I found!
Mac: I’ll be free in a second, I’m with the guys
Penny: It won’t be here in a second!
Mac: Jesus okay, I’m calling now
Mac: Seriously? Are you not going to answer me?
Penny: LOOK!
Mac: Is that a turtle… in your apartment?
Penny: YUP!
Mac: you are something else
Mac: Are you coming over tonight? Or am I coming to you?
Penny: I’ll be over in ten minutes!
Mac: My ten or your ten?
Penny: HA! SO FUNNY MAC!!!!
Mac: I’m gonna need an answer, Penelope, because we have very different timetables here
Penny: My ten…
Mac: FaceTime at lunch?
