“I knew I liked you.” Jules winks and picks her piece. “But don’t you dare touch Park Place. It’s mine.”
The game escalates quickly. Within the hour, Tom’s hoarding railroads, Jules has a death grip on Boardwalk and Park Place, while James and I methodically sweep up mid-tier properties. I haven’t had this much fun in… a long time.
I need to roll a... “Six! Hell yes. Come here, baby, you are mine. Get ready to weep, everyone.”
“You seem pretty confident, Sydney,” James murmurs as he picks up the dice and passes them to Jules. “I play the long game, so you might want to settle in and get comfortable because I can go all night.”
Jules chokes on her wine. “You did not say that.”
Laughter erupts around the table. James smiles shyly, and my cheeks flush the color of my wine—Cabernet red—as I desperately try to shove the idea of “all night long” out of my head.
Jules surveys the board, glances up with a grin that promises trouble. “With that icebreaker, I think it’s time to up the ante. Let James get to know us better.”
“Please tell me you’re not dragging out those damn questions.” Tom groans theatrically, watching Jules take her turn and then he follows.
“Absolutely. If James is meeting the family, he needs the full Jules experience.”
“That usually happens through normal conversation,” Tom teases, shaking his head with a smile that’s fully besotted.
“What questions?” James asks, picking up the dice and rolling.
“I'm so glad you asked,” Jules says, sticking her tongue out at Tom. “Thirty-six questions designed by a psychologist to build intimacy.The New York Timeswrote about it, claiming some people believe it helps you fall in love.” She eyes James with mock severity. “That's not my objective, but they're great for getting to know people.”
“Or… we could stick to Monopoly?” I offer, raising my brows.
“Where’s the fun in that? Here’s my pitch: every time someone lands on a property owned by another player, we answer a question.”
“I’m game,” James says with a boyish smile. “But I’m not up first. Sydney, it’s your turn.”
“Fine. I’ll play,” I mutter and roll the dice. Of course, I land on Jules’s North Carolina Avenue. “Give me your worst.”
Jules clears her throat and pulls up her phone. “Okay, Syd.Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?”
“Off the top of my head, I would say Queen Elizabeth.”
“Why her?” James asks.
I’m caught off guard by the question. He’s asking for more information. Asking why.
“Think about everything she’s lived through. Almost a century of incredible global change. Wars, world leaders, technological advances, not to mention the royal scandals. I think she’d have a fascinating, unfiltered view of the world.”
James nods. “Strong pick. I’d go with Anthony Hopkins.”
“Because of Hannibal Lecter? That’s one of my favorite movies.”
“Exactly. How do you even become that?”
“God,” Jules groans. “Why can’t people enjoy emotionally healthy characters? Syd is a glutton for morally gray men.”
She winks, rolls, and lands safely. Tom does the same. James lands on Tom’s railroad.
“Alright. Lay it on me,” he says with a laugh, leaning back and bracing for impact.
Tom pulls on his reading glasses, taking a minute to inspect the list. “I’m going rogue and skipping ahead.What would constitute a perfect day for you?”
Before James can answer, Ivy breezes in and claims the spot beside him. “What are you guys up to?”
“Monopoly,” Jules replies. “And some bonding questions. We asked James to describe his perfect day.”
