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“Speaking of hippos,” said Ava, “who wants a Hungry Hungry Hippos tournament after lunch? The game of games."
Dad clapped his hands together. "I'm in! You need four hippos, right?"
As we finished our meal, the rules of the tournament were discussed. My mind kept wandering to Elara’s text message, wondering what was in store for us tonight, but I tried my hardest not to smile anymore as I literally didn’t have any other jokes up my sleeve.
"Come on Grandpa, I'll help you walk to the arena," Rhea said after lunch.
"I think I can manage."
As soon as the others had left, Ethan shot me a knowing look. "All right, Cole, spill it. What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" I replied, knitting my eyebrows together in a giant frown.
"Don't play dumb. You're happy. Genuinely happy. First time since . . . ever?" Ethan crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Is it a crime to be happy?" I retorted, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm just glad the girls are having a good time, that's all. And Dad's getting better. And we had a lovely meal."
"Uh-huh," Ethan said, unconvinced. "I know you, Cole. Something's up. And I'd bet my bottom dollar it's Elara."
I held his gaze. Tried to look neutral. I felt my eye twitch. "Nope." Why had I made that stupid bet with him? As if I could take a week off work. The idea was insanity. "I'm afraid you're going to lose that bet."
"Forget the bet. Just tell me. You kissed her again, didn't you?"
My eye twitched again. Ugh. This was infuriating. "A little bit more than that, actually."
Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "I knew it! You old dog, Cole."
"I'm younger than you."
"So, when's the wedding?"
"Fuck off."
"Happy Cole didn't last long, did he?"
I leaned in and lowered my voice. I could hear the sound of laughter and plastic hippos snapping at tiny balls, but even so, I didn't want to risk anyone overhearing. "Look, it's nothing serious, okay? We're just . . . having fun.”
"Sure," Ethan said, clearly not convinced. "So, when are you taking your week off?"
"You said to forget the bet!"
"Did I? Doesn't sound like me."
"I can't. Pick something else. I could babysit Ava? It's not that I don't want to, I just . . . there's too much going on right now."
"How about we up the stakes?" Ethan proposed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Double or quits. New terms. If you fall for Elara before she leaves for New York, you take two weeks off."
"Biggest mistake of your life," I said confidently. "Elara and I are both completely on the same page about the nature of our . . . fling.” The word felt like an imposter in my mouth, for some reason. “I accept your challenge. It’s a piece of cake."
"Even the way you agreed to that was weird," Ethan observed, smirking. "I feel like I might have already won."
"It's just physical.” Clearly, I couldn’t stop hammering this point home. “She doesn't want anything more, and neither do I."
"All right, all right." Ethan raised his hands in surrender. "I'll drop it for now. But remember, little brother, love has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."
"Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil."
***
