I army crawl to another safe space and wait as neon lights start to flash. With her having more lives than I do, I need to be strategic.
A flash of blonde hair runs by with kids in front of her. Making my move, I see her vest light up as I duck behind a tree-like structure for protection.
One more to go.
There’s a recharge station where groups are hanging around—the only safe space in the whole game area. Neon tape marks it off on the floor, and seeing that Stevie is now on the outside of it, I fire my last shot at her.
Raising my arms, I’m victorious.
“Hell, yeah!”
“That wasn’t fair.” Stevie walks over to me, poking me in my vest-clad chest. “I was recharging my gun. That wasn’t allowed.”
“You weren’t at the station. You were by it.”
“Technicality,” she huffs, walking out of the dark room.
The overhead lights in the lobby have me shielding my eyes it’s so bright.
“Still won, baby.” I wink at her.
“You cheated!” she scoffs. “That’s not fair.”
“I did no such thing.” I blow the tip of my laser gun as I revel in my win.
“You totally did. I want a rematch.”
“Stevie, Stevie, Stevie. I never thought you’d be such a sore loser.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she stares up at me, trying to be fierce. But something in her blue eyes is preventing it.
“I’m not a sore loser if you cheated.”
Before she can walk away, I grab her hand and pull her close. “How about next week then? I did win…”
She eyes me up and down. “Because?—”
I slap a hand over her mouth and watch her eyes go wide. “And don’t say it’s because I cheated. I won fair and square, and that means I get another date.”
Stevie mumbles against my lips, but I don’t hear a word of it.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“Another date? Yes. But I think we might need to take laser tag off the table.”
My heart swells in my chest as I wrap an arm around her shoulders and lead her toward the equipment return.
“I will put it on the no-go list along with fancy French restaurants.”
“I won’t say no to some dinner. I believe I was promised some.”
I shake my finger at her. “I believe I said a date. I didn’t specify dinner.”
Stevie sidles up to me and wraps her arms around my waist. There’s a slight flush to her face from running around. Although, it has me imagining that from more pleasurable things. “If I admit defeat, will you feed me?”
“Yes.” I stow the electronic gun and vest and open my locker to grab my wallet and keys. Looking around, I see the teenage girl at the concession stand, handing out slices of pizza. “How does that sound?”
Stevie still has a grumpy look on her face as she nods.
