“Well, okay then. Let’s get your character sheet set up. I adjusted things a bit so we can add you in there. Dean’ll be here any second, but he can wait while we get you going here.”
She’s perched on the edge of my couch, bouncing her knees, when I get back, armed with a clipboard, pencil, and fresh character sheet.
She slides toward me when I plop myself down next to her. I wrap an arm around her shoulder, tugging her back until she’s settled into the plush cushions, tucked under my shoulder.
Blink trots up, looking at me with her long pink tongue lolling out, and then she has the audacity to walk past me and jump up on the couch next to Aura.
“Traitor.”
Aura laughs as the dog places her head on her lap. She gives her scritches behind her ears and then strokes the dog’s fluffy coat. Blink wiggles her butt and sighs.
“She can’t help liking me better. I’m charming, what can I say?”
“Uh-huh, so much for loyalty.” But I reach over to give the dog’s head a pat and she licks my hand. Her way of apologizing, I guess.
I turn my attention back to the task at hand. “Okay. First, you need to pick a class.”
We get to work on her character. She’s just decided to play as a Rogue class Changeling and is in the process of coming up with a name when Dean comes strolling in. Greeting her, he plops down in a chair and begins to offer input to help finish her character.
As the rest of the guys trickle in, there’s a bit of surprise, but not a single complaint about adding her on to our campaign last-minute. It worked out perfectly that we’re just starting a new one.
Which is not to say they take her presence fully in stride. Colton barely gets a hello out when he spots Aura before heading to the other side of the room. He keeps glancing over with wide eyes. I hope he’s not going tomake it weird.
Gage, on the other hand, comes at us full-bore. “I can’t believe you’re dating this guy. Didn’t you used to date Colin Farraday?”
I wince, glancing at Aura, but she doesn’t seem annoyed, just rolls her eyes. “Rumor.” Then as if his words remind her that we are supposed to be dating, she walks over to me and slips and arm around my waist, pulling me into her side for a moment. “And nobody in LA has ever invited me to a D&D game, so obviously Quint’s the guy for me.”
“Whatever you say.” He’s still shaking his head as he heads for the kitchen.
Once we’re all settled around the table, Gage drops a couple of bowls of chips and popcorn on the table and Eli grabs beers for everyone.
“So, let me get this straight.” Aura says. “You’re the…dungeon master?”
She injects so much doubt into the words, and my lips twitch into a smile. I glance at her with one eyebrow raised. I know she doesn’t want to bring our bedroom dynamic up here with these guys.
“Yup.”
“Crazy right?” Dean asks. “This guy?”
“Sure is,” she agrees.
The farther we get into the session, the more invested she is. It’s fantastic to see. I haven’t seen her this animated since before the crew arrived at the ranch. She’s been so wrapped up in filming, and not sleeping enough. It dimmedher a little.
“We’re not killing the ogre, he might help us out later.” She’s shaking her head at Eli. Did she sneak a peek at the story? Because she’s right, and Eli is a fool if he fights her on this one.
He scoffs, toying with the tiny figure. “What’s an ogre going to do for us? I bet he’s got some good loot to steal.”
“We’re not killing him, right, Dean?”
Dean holds up his hands. “I’m not starting a fight with her. What Aurelia Lane says, goes. What do you say guys?” He turns to Gage and Colton.
“Don’t be giving in because I’m famous.” She leans toward them. “Give in because I’m right.”
“How about both?” Gage grins.
“Deal.”
They shake on it, and Eli just shrugs, going along with the two of them as he usually does. He’s basically the definition of chill.
