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“Right?”

Arden was still smiling as Lisa left the room. Sam nudged her playfully.

“Pretty Pretty Princess?”

“It was so fun. You try to collect a full set of jewelry, and whoever gets the crown wins. My friend Becca and I mostly just used the jewelry to make up our own games, though.”

“Now that you mention it, I think my sisters had that game. I was more of a Clue man myself.” He lifted his chin toward the living room. “Which one should we play?”

Arden was drawn toward Monopoly, with its rules and strategy, but then she imagined playing Jenga with Sam. And the opportunities for physical contact that might entail.

“How about Jenga?” She tried to fight back the blush that rose to her cheeks.

“Excellent.” Sam led the way to the next room. “I am very competitive, by the way, I hope you don’t mind.”

Truth be told, Arden barely had a competitive bone in her body. She could never bring herself to care about winning a game. She did, however, find joy in the experience of playing a game. And, if she was honest with herself, it was irresistibly adorable that Sam had a competitive edge. He seemed like such a sweetheart at his core.

They settled around a large coffee table with the Jenga group. Arden sat on a cushion beside Sam, who quickly introduced her to everyone around the table. They had clearly known each other for years, but Arden didn’t feel uncomfortable, as she might have expected, being a stranger at someone else’s game night. She felt comfortable because she was with Sam. There was no time to think about this, though, as Scott was explaining the rules of Jenga.

“Once you decide which piece you’re taking, if you touch it, that’s it. No changing your mind. And whoever makes the tower tumble is the loser. That’s it! You guys remember how to play.”

They worked together to set up the tower of wooden blocks. Sam was, Arden noticed, the funny guy of the group. They all cracked jokes and made each other laugh, but Sam was especially quick with the clever remarks. Arden caught herself scooting closer to him.

Because they were all focused on the game, no one attempted to make small talk with Arden, which she appreciated. It felt like she was just part of the group—albeit a group where she couldn’t remember most people’s names. The first round lasted a long time, voices growing louder as the tower grew more precarious.

When Sam’s turn came, he turned a mock-fearful face to Arden and begged for her help. She put her hand over his and helped him guide a wooden block out of the tower—but then it all came crashing down. Everyone screamed and groaned loudly enough that the Monopoly group shushed them.

They took a break for drink refills. Arden followed Sam into the kitchen and helped herself to a bottle of water; he did the same.

“We almost had it,” Sam said. “That was some excellent teamwork.”

Arden agreed. Sam held out his plastic water bottle to cheers. As they each took a sip, Arden realized they were eye to eye. She wasn’t used to being the same height as—well, anyone.

Sam seemed to be having a similar train of thought, because they both asked at the same time, “How tall are you?”

“Five eleven,” Arden lied.

“Six foot,” Sam said.

They both laughed. It was clear that Arden was a scant inch taller than Sam.

“I’m actually six foot.” Arden felt the usual flush in her cheeks as she owned up to her height.

“And I’m actually five eleven.” Sam raised his hands in a guilty gesture. “I typically get a better reaction when I say I’m over six feet.”

“I get it. I say I’m under six for the same reason.”

“Well, your secret’s safe with me. And for the record, I think it’s awesome that you’re tall. More to love.” They both flinched at his casual use of the L word, and he amended, “More to admire.”

Arden gave a genuine laugh. It was a sweet compliment. Most people just avoided discussing her height, as though afraid of hurting her feelings. As she looked into Sam’s kind, open face, she felt a sudden jolt of—nervousness? Guilt? Because… what on earth was she doing? She was here in Seattle for a short time, and then she’d be heading back to her own life. She was supposed to be fortifying herself, focusing all her energy inward, so that she’d be stronger and happier when she returned home. So what was she doing spending all her time with some guy? Sure, he was a very cute, very nice guy who happened to be a great kisser, but still. That was so not the point of this vacation.

Arden decided to think about it later. After all, she was having a good time at this game night. And going to a stranger’s house to play games with more strangers was something the old Arden would never have done. Would never have had reason to do, because she rarely left her safe bubble. So she could view tonight as an exercise in getting out of her comfort zone.

“Your friends seem nice.”

“They’re all right,” Sam joked. “I’ve known a lot of them forever. I guess this game night will come to an end after Lisa has her baby.” He took a sip of water and looked around the kitchen. “A lot of changes these days.”

“Same with my friend group. Everyone’s getting married and having babies. If not babies, they’re adopting dogs.”