Jason lays down a red three and shouts, “UNO!”
“Are you kiddin’ me?” Mark protests. “I swear, you two are using your twin powers to beat me tonight. Just look at all these cards!”
The boys give each other a knowing look and beam with pride.
Looking at my three cards, I secretly hope Josh keeps the color as red so I can unload at least one more of them before this game is over.
When he places a red seven, I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and place the red Skip card down, then glance to see Mark’s reaction.
He doesn’t disappoint.
“Looks like they’re not the only ones out to get me,” Mark grumbles, but when his eyes meet mine, they’re full of mirth.
This earns him more hoots and hollers from the rest of us. Once the boys start laughing, it’s infectious—hence my sore cheeks.
He warned me when we started that they play cutthroat, so no going easy on the boys—and he meant it. I’ve done my best to bring my A game. For a while, I thought Mark would pull off the win, but then I kept drawing Draw Fours, and when Josh reversed the playing order, Mark’s been blessed with every last one of them.
I’d almost feel sorry for him if he hadn’t dumped them on me to begin with.
Karma is real, and to my utter delight, Mark’s feeling it about now.
When Jason draws, because he’s apparently out of red, we all breathe a sigh of relief, and the playing continues.
When it’s my turn, I’m forced to draw, as well.
“If this game ever ends,” Mark emphasizes as he finally gets to play a card, “are you ready for s’mores?”
“Yes!” Jason and Josh both shout excitedly at once.
“After you each get one, if you come in and take a bath, I’ll let you watch a movie before bed.”
“Can we watch Cars?” Jason looks wide-eyed at Josh, who nods fervently.
“As long as you don’t flood my bathroom first,” Mark chortles.
Both boys shake their heads profusely.
But Josh suggests, “Maybe if we take a shower, we can watch more of the movie. Momma makes us shower when we’re in a hurry.”
Mark catches my eye and grimaces. “Always the negotiator, this one.” But instead of answering the question, he says, “Let’s focus on finishing this game so we can get to those s’mores.”
Before I know it, Josh lays down the last card, and the game ends.
As Mark gathers the cards, I place my hand on his and offer, “Let me. Go start the fire. My sweet tooth is aching, and I’ve heard you make some of the best s’mores.”
“You shouldn’t eat sweets if your tooth aches,” Jason advises, his voice filled with concern.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I gasp at my mistake. I should have known better. Of course, he’d take it literally. “That’s not what I meant. I was just teasing your papa. He knows I’ve always had a weakness for anything chocolate.”
When Jason eyes me speculatively, Mark jumps to my defense. “Yeah, buddy, it’s a figure of speech. Her teeth are just fine, I’m sure.”
My heart sputters when Mark reaches under the table to squeeze my leg in assurance, before he adds, “Who wants to help gather the kindling?”
That’s all it takes for both boys to shoot out of their seats and head for the mudroom where they’ve left their shoes. The second we’re alone, Mark leans in and brushes a quick kiss on my lips, leaving me breathless.
“Been dying to do that since the mailbox,” he whispers.
“Papa, you ready?” one of the boys shouts from the other room.
