As the questions fly, I find myself leaning into Rowan, shoulders pressed together as we whisper answers. The tequila has softened my hard-earned edges, making everything in my periphery a little blurry. When his arm brushes mine as he reaches for his beer, I don’t even flinch.
My pussy throbs instead.
“Pirates of the Caribbean!” I blurt out before Sasha can write down our answer.
“Shhh,” Rowan chuckles, his breath hot against my ear. “You consorting with the enemy, Iz?”
When I turn my head to snark at him, our faces end up less than an inch apart. “Please. Like they don’t already know it’s Johnny Depp.”
His eyes drop to my lips for a split second before meeting mine again. Instantly, the electricity that’s been crackling between us all night ratchets up a gazillion notches.
“Alright, you two. Time to focus,” Noia teases, killing the moment. “We’ve got a game to win.”
I down another shot, welcoming the fuzzy warmth spreading through my limbs. Despite the alcohol clouding my brain, I still manage to answer most of the questions correctly.
“Last question of the night,” Drew announces. “For all the marbles: In what year was the first Harry Potter movie released?”
“2001!” I whisper-shout, startling everyone at our table.
“Jesus, Liz,” Sasha laughs, writing down the answer.
“Sorry,” I giggle, leaning against Rowan. “I’m just excited.”
He wraps an arm around my waist to steady me, and I’m too buzzed to care. His body feels warm and solid against mine, a familiar comfort I didn’t realize I’d been missing.
When I look up to see my brother giving me a quizzical look with a small smile twitching his lips, I stick out my tongue.
He just shakes his head and mouths, “Weirdo.”
Drew collects the answer sheets, tallying the scores while the bar buzzes with anticipation. I finish my beer, my head swimming pleasantly.
“And the winners are...” Drew pauses for dramatic effect. “Team Trophy Wives!”
Our table erupts in cheers. I jump up, throwing my arms in the air.
I’m practically bouncing with excitement. Then, before I can process what’s happening, Rowan wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me clean off the ground, spinning me in a circle as we both laugh.
“We won! We freaking won!” I shout, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His deep laughter rumbles against my chest. And in that moment, it’s like we’re kids again, celebrating a victory at family game night. Time slips away as he spins me once more.
Then reality crashes in.
Suddenly hyperaware of his hands wrapped around my waist, I freeze in his arms. The press of his body against mine, and the way people are watching us? This isn’t something I’m ready for.
“Put me down.”
Instantly, his arms loosen and he sets me on my feet, schooling his expression as he takes a step back, clearing his throat.
“You’re drunk,” he says, voice gruff. “I’m taking you home.”
The room tilts slightly as we face off.
“Let him,” Sasha cuts in with a knowing smirk, just as I open my mouth to protest. “Makes sense since with you being neighbors and all.”
I narrow my eyes at her, but she just winks and walks over to Noia, who’s busy collecting our gift card prize from Drew.
“Fine,” I mumble, swaying on my feet.
