But right now, with nothing else to do and this buzzing under my skin that wouldn’t quit...
“Ever play?
Violet looked up, surprised. “Video games?”
“Yeah.”
“Not really.”
“Not really, or not at all?”
She shifted, something almost defensive in her posture. “I played some PC games when I was younger. Nothing like that.”
I bit back a grin. “What kind of PC games?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Princess.”
“Barbie Detective,” she muttered. “And Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Full and genuine, the first time all day the tightness in my chest eased.
“Oh, fuck off.” But her mouth twitched, fighting a smile.
“I’m sorry.” I held up my hands. “It’s just… Barbie Detective? Really?”
“I was nine.”
“Did you solve crimes? Catch bad guys in pink convertibles?”
“I’m going back to my book.”
“Wait.” I grabbed the controllers, tossing her one. She caught it on reflex, staring at it like I’d handed her a live grenade. “Come on. One game.”
“I don’t know how to play.”
“I’ll teach you.”
“Griffin—”
“You just said you wanted me to do something.” I booted up the console, scrolling through the games. “And you clearly need a hobby beyond reading and judging my life choices.”
“I don’t judge your life choices.”
I shot her a look.
“Fine. I judge some of them.”
Mario Kart loaded on the screen, the bright colors and cheerful music filled the suite. I grabbed a pillow, dropping it on the floor beside the coffee table before settling in.
Violet stayed on the sofa.
“Scared?” I asked.
“Of a children’s game? Hardly.”
“Then sit.”
