Page 105 of Fallen Flame

He took another drink while maintaining eye contact.

Ever held out her hand.

Jude passed it back.

She looked at the rim, then at him. “You drank half of it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“For what?”

“I was checking for poison.”

She rolled her eyes. “No one is trying to poison me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know I might poison you.”

Jude grinned and dropped onto the floor behind her. He settled with his back against the couch and pulled Ever between his knees like it was the most natural thing in the world. She complained that he was crowding her, but she leaned back against his chest before she finished the sentence.

“Read the cards,” he told her.

“You’re not playing.”

“I’m supervising.”

“That’s what Wrecker said.”

“Don’t compare me to him. I’m younger and better-looking.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Wrecker called from the garage.

Jude’s grin widened. “He heard me.”

“The entire county heard you,” Ever said.

She returned to the game and read through the answers. Most were terrible. Two made no sense. One caused Alice to laugh so hard she dropped her spoon, which she still hadn’t let go of despite sitting nowhere near the kitchen.

Then Ever picked up the final card.

“‘Coming to Broadway this season: Grandma.’”

The room went quiet.

Demi covered her mouth.

Bell stared at the ceiling.

Penny’s shoulders started shaking.

Ever looked confused. “That’s it? Just Grandma?”

Drew slowly raised her hand.

The room exploded.

I doubled over, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. Demi fell sideways into me, nearly knocking both of us off the couch. Star made a sound that wasn’t quite human. Even Jude laughed behind Ever.