Page 57 of Game Changer

“On your epic romance with Miles?”

Her lips twitch in profile. “I told you, we’re—“

“If you say 'destined,' I’m going to punch a hole in his face.”

“Sounds like you could use therapy.”

“I’m in therapy.”

She looks over in surprise.

A waiter hands me champagne, and I take two and pass her one.

The ring of a knife striking a glass calls everyone’s attention to the front. Harlan drones on about how good it is to have everyone here, especially with the season starting soon.

I step closer to Nova. “You owe me a drawing.”

“I don’t owe you anything. You barely said two words to me the other day.”

“I was in game mode.”

“You were in asshole mode.”

I blink at her. I’m not used to people calling me out.

“That’s just how it goes during the season. Things get intense. It was nothing personal.”

She scans the crowd behind me. “When you saw me,” she murmurs, “it was like a switch flipped and you shut down. You didn’t want to see me. So, it’s probably easier if you don’t.”

Harlan finishes his speech, and the crowd applauds.

“Easier for who?” I demand under my breath.

She doesn’t answer.

Nova thinks it’s better if we don’t hang out.

That’s bullshit.

It’s like asking me to unsee her. To forget how it feels to be near her. Even now, standing a few inches away with her freezing me out, is better than that.

I’m deciding how to convince her without starting a scene when I pick up a conversation between guests a few feet behind us.

“… his fiancée is lovely and accomplished. Mari’s parents died suddenly a few years back, but she’s carried a huge load since. It sounds like her sister’s a total deadweight.”

Nova heard it, too.

Her face goes white, lips pressed together. She spins on her heel and heads for the house.

I curse, glaring at the unsuspecting guests.

She might not want anything to do with me anymore, but I’m not done with her.

I follow her through the doors at the back of the house.

People are milling about, and I scan the interior before I see a pair of curvy legs ascending one set of the double staircases.

I opt for the other, taking the stairs two at a time.

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