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The timer runs out to a chorus of “What is that?” and “You’re kidding me.”
Then Fiona points at the tall triangle and says, “It looks like hands. Like the emoji.”
Colin’s face cracks into a wide grin, and he nods. “That’s what it’s supposed to be.”
We all look again, and I think about which emoji she means, realizing it’s the hands clasped in prayer or thankfulness. “On a Wing and a Prayer,” I murmur, realizing exactly what he’s drawnand how right it looks now that my niece has pointed out the obvious.
“Seems like Fiona should go next,” Colin says, holding up the marker in front of Fiona’s delighted face.
She grabs the pen and hustles over to the pile of cards.
I watch her stare at the sky as she works out what to draw, all seriousness in her doe eyes. It’s why I don’t notice Colin slide onto the bench next to me. Instead, Ifeelhim.
His presence beside me ignites a firestorm in my veins and takes me right back to where we were earlier. If he kisses me right now in front of my family, I don’t think I’ll have the wherewithal to pull away.
“I’m sorry we got interrupted.” His breath feathers over the shell of my ear with the rough growl of his voice.
“Me too,” I say quietly, sneaking my hand closer to his and looking to see if anyone notices. Everyone is focused on Fiona, who drew a curled line she denies is a snail.
“But when I get you back to your house, I’m going to pick up where we left off. I’m going slower than slow, and it’s going to last all night,” he whispers.
My breath hitches, and a chill races over my skin. “Two more rounds, then let’s go.”
“Together?”
“Yes. We’re going to the same place. You’ll look like a stand-up guy if you’re walking me home, even if we all know there’s nothing dangerous on the way.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
Two more Pictionary rounds. The longest two of my life.
Chapter
Sixteen
Colin
Archer insists on driving us back to the cottage and PJ’s house, even though I insist that we’re fine walking.
He holds up a hand. “I haven’t had a drop to drink all night. Don’t worry.” I don’t bother to explain that I’m not concerned about him getting behind the wheel. I’m concerned about him delaying my chance to be alone with his sister.
Archer furrows his brow the way he’s done since I arrived, and I can tell his mind has already gone back to winery business. It’s why we’ve been friends for so long—we operate the same way. Only my mind is solely on PJ, and I’m grateful that he seems too distracted to notice.
“It’ll be faster,” PJ says quietly, as though it’s all about convenience.
Nodding, I slip her fingers between mine as Archer goes to the driver’s side and hops into the SUV. A part of me wants to slide into the back seat and haul her across my lap. To hell with what Archer thinks. It’s none of his damn business.
Only out of consideration for how PJ might feel do I let go of her hand when her eyes meet mine, reluctant but resigned to keeping her distance. She gets in the back, and I take the passenger seat. I let my hand hang down next to the door and move it a few inches backward until PJ’s soft fingers graze my hand. She wraps her palm around mine as she slumps against the door for the five-minute drive.
Archer rambles on about a wine industry party next weekend where he wants to introduce me to a few locals. “I promise, none of them will give two shits about why you’re slumming it here in Napa, and besides, your media ban will be just about over by then.”
“Sure. Sounds good.” I’m not even sure what I’m agreeing to, so focused on how many more breaths I’ll have to take before we arrive at PJ’s door.
Archer pauses at a corner, and I remember him telling me there’s a long and a short route to the cottage. So help me, if the guy decides to take the scenic route, I might murder him.
He hesitates for a moment, then turns right, which will get us to my door in under two minutes from here. I exhale a sigh of relief, and PJ squeezes my hand.
I’ve known Archer for half my life, and I’ve never seen him drive this slowly. It’s like he’s trying to torture me, even if he doesn’t know it. Finally, he makes the turn that takes us to the small parking area behind PJ’s house. His car idles while he pops the locks to let us out.
