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“I dunno, maybe three? I can crush you, then we could eat. Maybe watch a movie after?” Chris suggested, feeling ridiculously nervous for some reason.
Chloe paused for a minute and said, “Sounds good. Can I bring anything? Wine? Dessert?”
“Wine would be good. I’m thinking steaks, if that helps the wine selection process for you,” Chris said.
“It does. I’m going to let you go now. I think I’m gonna have to run to the store for some muscle cream. My lower back is throbbing.”
“Poor girl. Take it easy. Try a hot bath, too.”
Snorting, Chloe said, “My apartment only has a stall shower.”
“Hot shower then,” he said. “It’ll help.”
“I’ll try it. Thanks.”
“Night, Chloe.”
“Night, Chris.”
Chapter 7
Even though she had known him for over a decade, she was still incredibly nervous as she pulled into the driveway. Things had been slowly shifting between them for the last few weeks. It hadn’t been explicitly discussed, but she was pretty sure this was a date. For some reason, despite the fact that this was precisely what she’d been angling for, she felt a little unsure of herself.
After checking her hair once more in the visor mirror, she got out of the car. With her purse and the promised bottle of wine, she made her way to the front door. Lifting her hand, she knocked and waited for Chris to answer the door.
When he opened the door, he was barefoot, wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a navy polo shirt. She was glad she’d dressed casually, too.
“Hey. Come on in,” he said, smiling.
He reached out and took her free hand, pulling her inside.
Smiling, she said, “Hey.”
Moving inside, further, she glanced around and said, “Where should I set the wine?”
“Here. I’ll take it.” Turning the label he said, “Malbec?”
“It’s Argentinian. Good stuff. It has less of the after taste than a normal red.”
“Interesting. Never tried it,” he said.
He moved across the room, into the kitchen to set the wine down.
Peering into the living room area, Chloe said, “You redecorated. This sofa is new. Tables, too, right?”
The brown leather sofa had been replaced. There was an overstuffed gray sofa with a chaise in its place. It had a few throw pillows in varying shades of black and gray on it.
“Yeah. I got these about a year ago, I think. Has it really been that long since you’ve been here?” he asked, his face clearly showing surprise.
Snickering, Chloe said, “The last time I was here I kicked your ass so badly at that racing game that I feared you’d never invite me back…” her voice trailing off sadly at the end.
Narrowing his eyes, he said, “God. I am so going to enjoy wiping that smirk off your face, Chloe. Ready to get your ass kicked?”
“Bring it.”
The battle was long and intense but after three hours, they decided to call it a draw. They had been pretty evenly matched even though Chris had just barely edged her out for the overall win.
Setting down her controller, she rolled her shoulders and said, “Commence gloating. You earned the right.”
