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“Because of Iron Man,” I joke.
He nods. “Probably. Ever since the first movie came out, women seem to like nerds a lot more than they used to.”
“That’s because they know how to make money, and a lot of women want to be taken care of.”
He hits the gas hard when the light turns green, and the sheer force of the electric motor has me pinned against the chair. “But you’re not one of them,” he says. “That’s one of the things I like about you, Shan. You want to do something with your life. Not many people know what they want to do after college.”
“You do,” I challenge.
He shakes his head, making a right turn toward Center City. “I still have no clue. I’d love to play pro hockey, but I also love video games. I wish I didn’t have to make a choice.”
“Why can’t you do both?”
“I guess I could. But I’d rather put one hundred percent of my time into one thing. If I ever want to code a game of the same caliber as my dad’s Universe, I have to give it everything I’ve got. I can’t do that if I’m traveling for hockey all the time. Hockey takes up too much of my life right now. I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like to play for a pro team.”
“When the time comes, you’ll choose whatever career feels right.”
“You always know the right thing to say, Shan.” He reaches over to place his hand on my knee and gives it a quick squeeze. “What are you doing for the Christmas break?”
“The usual family stuff. Make cookies with my mom. Hang stockings and decorate the tree with my dad. We visit my grandmother in Washington D.C. for a few days during the week of Christmas. Nothing special. What about you?”
“Our holidays are usually centered around hockey and video games. I’m going to the 10X Games convention with my family. My dad is giving a keynote speech this year.”
“I’ve never been to a video game conference. Is it like Comic-Con?”
“Yeah, sort of. Have you been to Comic-Con?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’ve seen videos online. Looks pretty intense.”
“I guess.” He rolls his shoulders. “I’m used to it after all these years. Some people dress as the characters from my dad’s games and try to mimic their voice and actions. You get the weird ones, but there’re also a ton of legit gamers who come to the events. You should come? If you can…”
“When is it?”
“Two days after Christmas. This year it’s in Baltimore, so we can drive there together.”
“I wish I could,” I admit. “The week of Christmas is pretty hectic at my house. Plus, we have to visit my grandmother that week. But count me in for the next one.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” I see him smile in the darkness as he whips around another turn, headed toward the restaurant.
After dinner, Jamie parks in front of my house. My hands shake from the nerves rocking through me. Jamie’s rich, like mega-wealthy, and here we are out front of the rowhouse in Northeast Philly where I live with my parents. The house where I grew up. I still have posters on my bedroom walls from when I was in middle school. I even have the same bedding and furniture.
I smack a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for everything.”
He cups the side of my face in his big hand and brings my mouth to his. A soft kiss causes my heart to flutter, his touch so delicate and sensual it causes tiny bumps to dot my skin.
“Let me walk you in,” Jamie offers.
“No,” I say against his lips. “You don’t have to do that.”
He laughs. “Why? Are you embarrassed by me?”
“No, of course not. But I have to get my brother ready for bed.”
“You mean you have to play Mage Wars with him,” he says, tipping up my chin with his finger until our eyes meet. “Who better to play with him than me?”
I stare into his eyes, unsure how to respond. “Really? You’d do that?”
“We’re not that different, Shan.”
He’s right. But no matter how much I like Jamie, it’s hard not to see his real life. To see the money and everything that comes with it. I’m sitting in a sports car that probably costs more than my parents’ house. This fact isn’t lost on me.
I nod in agreement, and he smiles. “If you don’t mind playing against a loud-mouthed ten-year-old, then let’s go.” I push open the door, glancing over my shoulder at Jamie. “I’m not responsible for anything my parents or brother say. And if my mom offers to show you old pictures, please say no. She likes to embarrass me in front of guests since we don’t have them often.”
He chuckles. “Oh, hell no. I’m saying yes to that. Actually, now that you mention it, I might insist I see your baby pics.”
