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Izzie looks at me like she’s amused and insulted at the same time.
“Oh, no, I haven’t played foosball in forever.” She brushes her flyaway hair behind her ears. “I’m not sure if I even remember how to play.”
“Oh, come on.” I grab the ball and drop it on the table. “I bet you’re still awesome at it.”
Izzie reluctantly takes a spot on the other side of the table, brushing the handles with her fingertips. “Yeah, when I was younger I used to play it a lot with my sister...”
For some reason, she trails off and stops talking. I look up at her and see that her face is a jumble of nerves, like she said something she didn’t mean to say.
“Yeah?” I try to make her continue. “Did your sister use to kick your ass a lot or something?”
She abruptly steps away from the table. “You know what, I really need to unpack and get situated. Maybe we can play another time.”
Shit. What did I do now? Just when I’m thinking we’re about to get closer.
Was it something I said?
She walks over to Liam and places her hand on his shoulder. “Come on, Liam. I think we’ve bothered Brady enough. Let’s go to our room and get out of his hair.”
Liam looks up at her as if she just stomped on all of his childhood dreams. “But I’m having fun here!”
He does not want to give upPac-Man.
Hey, I don’t blame him. I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time eating little white dots on that game.
I rush over to Izzie. “It’s cool, I’ll watch him.”
“Really?” She has that skeptical surprise look on her face again.
“Yeah, we’re buds now.” I pat Liam on the head. “Go to your room, take a shower, and rest. I can’t imagine your day today. We’ll be right here.”
Izzie looks up at me and, for the first time, I see her skepticism melt away. I think she’s genuinely touched by everything I’m doing for her, which—duh—is the point.
“You have no idea how grateful I am for your help.”
She then does something I don’t expect; she reaches out and places her hand on my shoulder. Sure, it’s not much, but it’s the most physical contact we’ve had so far.
She smiles at me, looking like an angel, as she exits stage left to her room.
I look at my shoulder where she touched me and feel a lame tingle inside. It’s crazy how she makes me so happy with so little.
I look down at Liam who’s still hunched overPac-Man.
“Dude, scoot over,” I tell him. “It’s my turn.”
