I lined up my shot, knowing his eyes were on me. "No pressure or anything."
"I'm admiring your form," his voice dropped. I realized he was literally talking about my stance.
I hit the ball with more force than necessary, sending it soaring through the loop and straight past the hole. "Damn."
Liam smirked, stepping up for his turn. He took his time, lining up his shot with the focus of a surgeon, before tapping the ball. It rolled smoothly through the loop and stopped inches from the hole.
"Show-off," I muttered, but I was smiling.
"I'm just getting warmed up. Your shot," he replied, sinking his ball in with a gentle tap.
Two holes later, we were neck and neck, and the trash talk escalated. Liam's serious exterior gave way to his playful, competitive side, though he remained methodical as he approached each hole with consideration.
"You're overthinking it. This isn't a tactical operation, Lieutenant," I teased as he lined up his shot on the fourth hole, which featured a small bridge over a little river.
"Strategy is strategy. Whether it's fire or miniature golf," Liam countered.
"Mm-hmm. Is that why your ball is in the water now?"
He looked up as his red ball rolled off the bridge, into the little river. "Tactical setback," he countered as we burst out laughing.
"I think that's a two-stroke penalty for drowning your ball."
"One stroke. Don't be trying to change the rules just because you're about to lose your lead."
I stepped up for my turn. I lined up my shot. "Big talk from a man in the water." I sent my ball over the bridge and straight toward the hole. It circled the rim once before dropping in. "That's how it's done. Hole in one, baby!" I did a little victory dance as we moved to the next hole. "Is this what you do on your days off? Try to hustle unsuspecting women at mini-golf?"
"You caught me, though I wouldn't call someone who did a full victory dance unsuspecting." Liam smiled so hard his eyes crinkled at the corners.
"That was not a full victory dance, only a preview. Wait until I win."
We continued the course, our competitive banter peppered with genuine moments, such as our shared love for favorite movies, and he had once wanted to be an astronaut before becoming a firefighter.
By the final hole, the score was tied. I sank my putt in three strokes, while Liam's ball stubbornly refused to drop until his fifth attempt.
"That's game," I announced, doing another victory dance that involved some questionable moves from my college days.
"I deserve a rematch!" Liam chuckled.
"Excuses, excuses," I teased, hooking my arm through his as we returned our putters to the teenager who looked entertained by our antics.
We took a quick restroom break. When I returned, Liam had purchased some soft drinks. I sat down next to him.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself. I haven't had this much fun in forever," Liam admitted.
"Forever?" I repeated.
"Something like that. And thanks for humiliating me at mini-golf."
"My pleasure. Keep that lieutenant ego in check." I giggled. I wasn't ready for the date to end, but I knew it was inevitable. "I should probably head home. I do have some drawings to finalize for an upcoming meeting."
Liam nodded, reaching to tuck a curl behind my ear. His fingers lingered against my cheek. "Duty calls."
His touch was simple and sent warmth cascading through me. I was letting my guard down with this man, opening doors I planned to keep shut.
"Can I take you out again? We could try that new Indian place. I heard the food is good."
I nodded. "I'd like that, but don't think a fancy dinner will make me forget I demolished you at mini-golf."
