The table collectively calls, “Bye Fran!” and we watch her throw her hand up in the crowd in a backward wave.
“So, what’s our trivia team name?” I ask.
“We’re thinking, The Reign Terminators because Joanie’s team has been winning for like… forever,” Josh says.
“That’s an awful name,” Viv responds, reaching for the pitcher of beer and a glass that Rachel just returned with.
“What? No, it’s not,” Josh says.
“Mmm, yes, it is,” Viv retorts.
Josh looks around the table, but no one is looking his way. In fact, we’re all looking somewhere else. Rachel is inspecting Jimmy’s face, while he inspects the bubbles rising in his beer glass. Luke seems concerned about the structure of the ceiling.
“Damn, guys. Tell me how you really feel,” Josh grumbles into his beer.
“It’s terrible.”
“We never really agreed on that name.”
“The Reign Terminators? C’mon, man.”
“I didn’t actually want you to tell me how you really feel! Fuck off, all of you.”
Luke throws his arm over Josh’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Joshy, we still love ya, even if your trivia name is shit.”
“How about the name Misfit Dethroners?” Viv offers.
“Babe, no,” Rachel responds, sending the rest of the table into a fit of laughter.
“Let’s go with MCSM. Stands for Maple Cove Sitcom Masters?” I suggest.
“I like it,” Luke says, eyes trained on me.
“Ohh,” Josh says, eyebrows raised. Viv, sitting beside him, nods.
“Works for me,” Rachel says.
Name intact and submitted to the trivia announcer, Jimmy returns with the answer card.
Letthe games begin.
“Who said it?Question two: the phrase ‘We were on a break!’ was said by which sitcom character?” The announcer booms over the microphone.
“Ross Geller!” Viv whisper-shouts, leaning heavily into the middle of the table.
“Are you sure? I thought maybe it was theHow I Met Your Motherguy,” Josh argues.
“Donottest me, Josh. I’m here to win! Answers like that are why you lose.”
Josh leans back, eyebrows raised, and then tilts his head toward mine.
“Is she always like this?”
“Viv can beverycompetitive. Don’t take it personally.”
I catch Luke’s stare from across the table. A smile graces his lips as he watches the chaos unfold. His eyes never leave mine as I lift my beer to my mouth, the foam left behind sitting on my lip.
“You’ve got something on your lip there.” He smirks and reaches across the table, swiping his thumb across my lower lip at an excruciatingly slow pace. The motion is undeniably sensual. He brings his thumb to his mouth, clearing it of the beer he wiped from my face. I inhale sharply, my thoughts clouded with memories of his mouth on mine. I bite my lip. Luke tracks the motion, eyes darkening.
