Page 76 of Game Changer

“I remember when you got into art school,” she says after a moment. “You were so excited. Do you wish you’d stayed?”

“Sometimes.”

“But you’ve kept drawing all this time.”

“A little. More recently.” It feels good. I feel like part of myself I’d buried is waking up.

“What changed?” Mari asks.

“You want to keep me for yourself?”

“I fucking might.”

Seeing him with the kids at the camp made me realize what a good guy he is, even if he doesn’t see himself that way. I want him to be that version of himself. I want to watch him do it. And I want the way he makes me feel when we’re alone, when his eyes turn black and he whispers dirty things in my ear.

I can’t tell my sister about Clay. She’s finally looking at me as though she sees me just a little.

“I guess I realized I wasn’t feeling like myself. I feel the most at home when I’m drawing.”

She doesn’t nod but seems to understand. “I need to show these flowers to the florist. Can I have this?”

“Of course.” I carefully tear the sheet out of my sketchbook and hand it to her.

Her shoulders round happily as she takes it in. “Do you want to grab dinner later? There’s an Italian place with the most amazing wine list.”

It’s the first time since I’ve been here that my sister has suggested dinner just the two of us.

I shove down any thoughts of a confession. “I’d love to.”

* * *

“Are you sure you have time to pick them up this morning?” Chloe asks over the phone.

“No problem!” I say into the hands-free of the Volvo.

The day of the bachelorette party might be calling for rain, but we’re heading to a spa for a full day of pampering.

It was my idea to order custom cupcakes, and when they’re assembled, they’ll form the shape of Mari’s dress. It’s a detail I hope she’ll love.

“Hi. Cupcakes for Mari?” I ask the woman at the bakery when I arrive, and she looks at me.

She’s on the phone and nods to a covered slab-cake plate.

I take a peek because I want them to be perfect.

They’re gorgeous.

I pay for them and carefully carry them back to the car.

When I get there, a message from Clay comes in.

Grumpy Baller: What’re you doing today?

Nova: Getting naked with a bunch of women.

Grumpy Baller: Pics or it didn’t happen.

I grin.

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