I take it before she can, holding it up. “Only because of the wine?”
“Of course, for what else?” She passes a teasing smile while snapping the bottle out of my hand and starts pouring a couple glasses.
I shake my head and walk over to the mini cooler, grabbing two beers. When I close it again, Noah is standing next to me. “Hey man,” he says with a loud exhale.
I laugh as I crack the beers open against each other, the bottles hissing as the caps come off, and hand one to Noah. “You alright?”
He takes a sip. “If Kiara ever moves, I’m calling in sick.”
I laugh, lifting the bottle to my lips. “Smart.”
Only a couple seconds later, the backdoor opens again and Maddy walks out with four—no five bowls filled to the top with snacks. She has her chin placed on top to prevent them from falling, but the bowls are still trembling. Noah and I share a look and crack a laugh.
“I still wonder how she is your sister.”
“Me too.”
Right after the words leave his mouth, one bowl slides an inch, putting her in an impossible position where she is forced to freeze. And I can’t help but laugh.
Noah hands me his drink. “That’s my cue.”
I take his drink as he rushes over to her. I see her mutter a quick ‘thank you’ as he takes the top bowls and places them on the table.
We’re all settled around the table with full plates. Luke’s burgers are already disappearing faster than he can probably keep track of. And somehow we end up in an intense game of 30 seconds. It’s Mel and Liam against Noah and Kiara. I lean back in my chair, my hands behind my head while I watch them with pure amusement.
“Last round,” Mel states. “You need four to beat us.”
Maddy grabs the little hourglass from the table and raises it. “Ready?”
Noah and Kiara lock eyes dramatically. “Hit it.”
“Three… two… one… go!”
The sand starts falling and Kiara flips the card. “State north of Mississippi.”
“Tennessee.”
“Correct.”
Noah’s elbows dig into his knees, hands clasped tight. I think I’ve seen him calmer during exams. Kiara barely glances back at the card. “Actor from The Hunger Games.”
“Liam Hemsworth.”
She waves him off. “No—the better one!”
Noah blinks. “Uh—” His eyes widen. “Josh Hutcherson!”
“YES!”
“What did Liam have a weird obsession with when he was young—”
“Peanut butter.”
“Correct.”
The table erupts into laughter while Liam throws his hands up, trying to defend himself. “I just liked it!”
My eyes flick between Noah and the hourglass. The sand is running low.
