Because the others only wanted to get into your pants,I almost said, but I shut my mouth and pointed to a food stand some distance away. “There.”
“By the way,” he said, oh so casually that I halted again, my eyes narrowing. I didn’t trust that fake innocence of his. “It’s still a date. Except, nowyou’retreating me.”
Man, seriously?
And he laughed outright.
A couple of hotdogs and drinks in hand—yeah,hepaid, the guy could move superfast—we strolled around then entered the much warmer arcade, eating our calorie-laden fest. The sounds of pinball machines dinging, balls rolling, and coins clinking added to the cacophony. But the energy, the dazzling lights, even the noise here made me feel happier. In these places, I was just another person and could still enjoy myself.
Even War seemed to enjoy the sights.
We stopped to watch a couple of youngsters play the dance station, a song blaring as they performed fast steps to the music’s beat.
“Wanna try that?” I asked, taking another bite of my hotdog.
“No.”
I snorted as I chewed. “You can chase a small black rubber puck across the ice for the entire world to see, but you won’t dance?”
“You’re trouble, you know that?” he muttered, swallowing some of his water.
“Yes, only to you,” I shot back, hiding my smile, and he gave a slow shake of his head.
We left the energetic teens and continued through the noisy arcade. Kids darted in front of us, and War grabbed me before I collided with them. I bumped into his chest, causing all the butterflies in my belly to stir once more. I hastily righted myself.
A half hour later, the food finished, War took my empty water bottle and the dog wrappers, disposing them in their respective trash and recycling bins, then we stopped at the arcade’s air hockey game.
“Ah, more up your alley, right? Nah, don’t think you can win this one,” I taunted.
His gaze flickered to me. “One bet got me a week. Maybe I should take you up on this and aim for a month?”
“Not happening.” I started walking again, and I could almost feel his smirk as he caught up with me. Rides were more my thing, so I was content just strolling around. But a bit of nostalgia crept through me, recalling my father playing the games so he could win me a prize.
“What’s wrong?” War asked.
“Stopping watching me,” I grumbled. “We’re in an arcade. Enjoy the sights.”
“I am.”
Heat flooded my face at his low words.
“What is it?” he repeated, coming closer now, avoiding the oncoming crowd of boisterous teens, his arm brushing mine. Even though I had my hoodie on, the pressure of his biceps against mine had my stomach tripping in awareness.
“Just thinking,” I finally choked out an answer, ignoring the spark of desire tightening my body.
“Your father?”
I nodded, slipping my hands into my hoodie pockets. “Dad would buy me hot dogs and soda, go on rides with me, just to see the joy on my face.”And now you brought me here.“Being in this place makes me miss him so much.”
War watched me, didn’t say anything for a moment, then he nudged me with a hand on my back toward a game with plates lined in rows. “Let’s try that.”
He got out his wallet and handed over his card. The dark-haired attendant allotted six softballs to him.
“Here.” He gave me three, then put his card away.
Smiling, I took them and set my bag down, but he picked it up. “Safer,” he said.
I blinked, his thoughtfulness surprising me. “Thanks.”
