Page 33 of Level Up for Love

“Sorry, could you say that louder?”

“I don’t hate your game,” I bark. And then, more quietly, “It’s not how I’d run mine, but it…challenges me. Makes me think about things differently.”

I’d take it back immediately if it would wipe the sudden smug grin off his face.

“Good, I’m glad. But if that’s the case”—his dark eyes go serious—“you can’t yell at me like that at the table. It’s not that I can’t take it—I can.” Hell, he almost makes it sound like an invitation. “But maybe save it for when we’re not playing, all right? From one DM to another, Reagan, I’m asking you to trust me enough to tell this story. Let the game play out as it will.”

I release a long exhale from my nose. “All right.”

Before I can dwell on it for long, Wesley stands without warning and smooths his palms down his thighs. “Thanks for meeting me. I know you’ve got a lot of other things you’d rather be doing with your night, and I have a new project I’m working on, so I’ll leave you to it.”

I can’t help my spike of curiosity. “What sort of project?”

His eyes flash to mine. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” He shakes his head with a smile. “Just another game, Reagan.”

I frown. It’s rarely just another game for either of us. Has he found a new job already?

“See you next Thursday, then,” I say uncertainly.

Even after Wesley disappears down the stretch of sidewalk behind the bench, I stick around to watch the golden light of sunset shift to the soft violet-blue of twilight. With the sun gone, it’s almost too cold to sit outside without a jacket, but I force myself to enjoy it for just a while longer. This season is my favorite, but it’s quick—I don’t want to blink and miss it.

The memory of Wesley’s self-assured profile haunts me, and our fragile truce leaves me feeling on edge. I wonder if it will last us through the next battle.