“No. I was just planning on having a lazy, do-nothing day. I’d welcome your company.”
“Okay. Maybe I’ll bring a board game. Do you still like Risk?”
“You’re kidding. You still have that?”
“Yup. We’re Yankees, Misty. Perfectly good games aren’t thrown away, even if nobody plays with them much. You know the Yankee motto…”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Okay then. Bring it. I guess you got over your aversion to taking a risk?” She almost slapped her hand over her mouth.Did I just say that? Way to sabotage yourself again, Misty.
After a brief pause, he said in a quiet voice, “I might be getting there.”
After he hung up, she ran around like a demon, cleaning up after the party, vacuuming, dusting, and paying special attention to the bedroom. By the time he got there, she was pooped.
* * *
Gabe had spent quite a while thinking about what Sandra had said. She was not wrong. He just didn’t know whatlovemeant—especially when it came to Misty. He hadn’t felt this way about any other woman and didn’t even want to.
Yes, he loved Misty…but how? As an old family friend? As a newfound friend? As a lover? He was terrified to find out, but he’d promised he’d try to be honest with himself.
He’d decided that spending some quality time with her would help them get to know each other better as adults, meaning not at doctor’s appointments and not in bed. Like hanging out or—dare he say it—even actual dating.
That’s why he’d brought a game with him. It was funny he’d suggested Risk. He hadn’t even thought about what the name implied. But if what he felt for Misty was real, he could decide what to do from there. Risk it or stay in his safe isolation. In the meantime, he didn’t want to behave like an ass. That made him feel worse than anything.
Then he thought of something that made him laugh and allowed him to be an ass because it was part of the game. So instead of Risk, he brought Cards Against Humanity.
Misty let him in and reached for his coat. “Army green looks good on you,” she said.
Anything looks good on you, he thought. But instead of voicing the compliment, he just smiled.
“Where’s the game?” she asked.
“In my pocket.”
“Risk? They make a pocket version now?”
He chuckled. “No. I didn’t feel like playing Risk. I brought something we’ve never played together before.” He dug the sleeve of small square cards out of his deep pocket.
When he produced the game, she grinned. “I’ve always wanted to try that, but I thought it was for more than two players.”
“We can make up our own rules. That’s what I like about it.”
“Awesome!”
“That’s right. We play for awesome points. When it’s only two people though, there’s no card czar. We have to agree on which person’s answer to the question is the funniest. Think we can do that without arguing?”
She looked up at him and smirked. “Is this a test?”
Maybe.He hadn’t thought of it that way. Until now. “I don’t like tests. I just think we both need a good laugh. But if we can’t decide on which is the funniest answer without debating, it won’t be fun anymore. Would you rather not try it?”
“No. I’d like to see what happens.”
“Okay. Got paper and a pen? One of us needs to keep score.”
“I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable.”
Gabe looked at the sofa and chair. Hmmm… It didn’t really matter where they sat as long as they behaved themselves. He picked the chair.
“So, how was the rest of your party?”
