Page 64 of Compared
“Because I don’t want to.”
Nigel’s chest puffs out. “Now we’re losing the game.”
“Well, this has been fun,” Brooke says as she starts to gather everything up. “But I think we should switch to a different game. Something not so intense.”
Meg grabs her cup and heads toward the kitchen. “I’m going to refill my drink.”
Nigel sits back down, folding his arms like he’s throwing a tantrum. “Can we play Settlers of Catan now?”
I flip the Pictionary card to Brooke, and it lands face up on the table. She glances atNew Year’s Eveand then looks at me with a smile. “You’re not so bad, Tyler.”’
I smile back at her. “Neither are you.”
As everyone else discusses what game to play next, I slip into the kitchen. Meg stands at the sink with her back to me. Her hands are spread out on either side of her, and she stares blankly ahead out the darkened kitchen window.
“Are you mad?”
She looks over her shoulder, shaking her head. “Why are you here tonight?”
“I’m on a blind date.”
She picks up her cup and starts filling it with water. “You must like Tessa. You’ve stayed longer than ten minutes.”
“I didn’t stay because of Tessa.”
She turns around and faces me. “You need to stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Whatever it is that you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
She draws in a deep breath and exhales. “I’m on a date with Nigel.”
“I can see that.”
“Then what’s your problem?”
I fold my arms across my chest. “I don’t like him.”
“It doesn’t matter if you like him. You’re not the one on a date with him.”
“Why areyouon a date with him?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“As your friend”—I gesture to her—“and you said wearefriends—I feel like I should tell you that Nigel is all wrong for you.”
Meg rolls her eyes. “Like you know what’s right or wrong for me.”
I slowly close the space between us. Her body tenses as I place my hands on the counter beside hers, pinning her in. Our bodies are inches apart. I could reach up and easily tuck her hair behind her ear or brush my fingers along the side of her cheek.
“I know a little bit about what’s right for you.”
She lifts her chin in defiance. “Nigel is a nice guy. An uncomplicated, nice guy. He’s not cocky, or flirty, or nosy, or a parent of one of my students. He’s exactly what I need.”
“But is he exciting?” I lean toward Meg, and her breath catches as I whisper in her ear. “Do you guys have any chemistry?”
