The round moves on, everyone playing it safe with one or two cards. When it’s my turn, I stare down at the three cards in my hand. I could easily play all of them and win on a lie. Nora’s thumb makes another slow circle, and all rational thoughts exits my body. “Three fours.”
Nora turns to me, eyes bright. “Bullshit.”
I flip the cards. Two fours and a queen.
The table erupts in cheers as I drag the pile toward me. I should have played it safe.
“I’ve never seen Miles pick up that big of a stack,” Mallory laughs. “Nora might be his kryptonite.”
Nora and Melanie take their turns, followed by Ben, who slaps his cards down. “Two sixes.”
I should be paying attention. I want to pay attention. But Nora shifts closer, her knee brushing mine beneath the table, and my brain promptly turns into a screensaver. A hush settles over the group. I open my mouth to call bullshit—and absolutely nothing comes out.
Nora tilts her head, her hand inching higher on my thigh. “You okay?”
I blink hard. “Yes. Totally.”
Her hand presses in just enough to remind me she’s winning whatever game she’s playing.
I point at Ben with confidence I don’t feel. “Bullshit.”
Ben’s eyes go wide. “Yes!”
He flips the cards. Two actual sixes.
Melanie scream-laughs. “He’s human!”
“We got him twice!” Randy howls.
Heat floods my face. “I’m off my game today.”
Nora leans in close, voice soft and wicked. “Aw. Did I break your superpower?”
I glare at her, but it has no bite because she looks delighted with herself. “You sabotaged me.”
Nora sits back, very composed. “I have no idea what you mean.”
By the end of the game, Nora is declared the winner, and I’m left holding a humiliating pile of cards. For once, my family is thrilled that someone else took me down. After another game and Ben taking the win, the evening turns to night, and we say our goodbyes.
“Thanks for inviting me over. I had a lot of fun.” We step out into the cool night air in front of Nora’s apartment.
“Thanks for saving me,” I reply. “Again.”
She smiles. “That’s what fake girlfriends do. Plus, I was thoroughly entertained by you swearing. It was kind of sexy.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Because you never do it. It gave you a bad-boy vibe.”
I huff a laugh as we walk up the path to her apartment. “Is that what you like? The bad boy?”
“I like confidence. With a little dirty talk sprinkled in.” She grins. “Also, I didn’t realize how competitive your family is with games. They were thrilled that I beat you.”
I shake my head. “You only won because you distracted me.”
“Sometimes you have to play dirty.”
After entering the building, we stroll down a short hallway until we stop at her door. She shifts her weight, suddenly closer. “I should probably head inside. I want to stop by my mom’s house in the morning.”
