AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can hardly take my eyes off him as he works his magic. I think that qualifies as a yes.
Slade watches me with anticipation. “I’m sitting on a dock, my bait loaded, the line in the water, just waiting for a tug.”
I get it. “Fishing for compliments, huh?” I bite my lip to keep my smile from appearing. I’m Team Joss right now. Don’t encourage Slade’s brand of humor.
But I can’t lie. “I love it. It’s unique.” Bubbles are my new favorite thing in the entire world.
“Unique, huh? I’m throwing unique back in the water.”
“Incredible?” I’m trying not to sound effusive.
“Now we’re talking. Incredible is coming home with me for dinner. And my music?”
“Incredible wasn’t filling?” I ask, while doing my best not to smile.
“I’m still hungry.”
“I love it. It’s old school.” I can’t get “Raspberry Beret” out of my mind. Or his dance moves.
“Love? That’s dinner for the next month.” A self-satisfied expression passes over his features. “It’s mostly eighties and nineties gems.”
The one and only thing he has in common with Blu. “My favorite generations of music.”
Slade smiles at me, and my chest turns all fluttery. My chest has never felt fluttery in my entire life. Never. Not once. I didn’t know the absence of a fluttery chest was a red flag because I had never experience it before. “Where’d you learn to do all those tricks with bubbles?” I’m genuinely interested.
“Truth? YouTube. Just watched and studied a few bubble shows. Then I practiced until I could do several of the tricks.”
“I’m impressed.”
Joss returns, and Slade excuses himself to carry luggage up the stairs for the new guests. “So sorry, Marin. Be right back. I’ll miss you.”
He’ll miss me? I’ve never met a man like Slade. The silly-sexy combination works for him. And I’m intrigued.
When Slade returns, we resume dinner as if nothing happened. I suppose they’re used to interruptions. It’s normal life for them.
“All right, Sheridan, prepare to lose,” Joss says.
I’m confused. Lose what?
Joss points to a shelf. “Why don’t you choose tonight, Marin? We play a game every night after dinner. Slade always loses.”
“Do not. I let you win.” Slade stacks our plates and sets them to the side.
“You do not. I’m just better at games.” She smiles sweetly, but there’s nothing sweet about her smile. She’s a deceptive little thing.
How did I ever think there was anything between these two? They need a mom to scold them and send them to their rooms.
I study the shelf, stacked neatly with nearly every game known to mankind.
“It’s a little overwhelming, I know. We buy each other new games every Christmas, every birthday, and everyjust because.” Joss shrugs. “It’s our thing.”
“Apples to Apples?” I suggest. Seems safe and familiar.
The next hour is spent playing the game while Joss and Slade incessantly accuse each other of cheating or not obeying the rules. They laugh through it all until they can’t breathe. They behave so much like siblings, it’s amazing they didn’t grow up together.
I’m having such a good time, I’m disappointed when Joss’s nurse arrives to help her get ready for bed.
Joss gives me a hug before excusing herself to her room. She slugs Slade in the arm and says, “Goodnight, cheater. Watch the front desk while I’m asleep.”
