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“No, you don’t.” I give her a pointed look. “You just didn’t want to admit that someone had finally made you feel something.”
“Why are we talking about this again? Enzo and I are together now, so I think your point is moot.”
“What are you two over here gabbing about?” Enzo appears seemingly out of nowhere, quickly followed by Archer.
I can’t deny the sight of him makes my heart feel like it’s doing backflips inside my chest. I’m just not ready to admit what that means. That maybe, after more than a year of being convinced he was the devil reincarnate, I’m finally starting to see how wrong I truly was.
He’s nothing like I imagined.
I mean, sure, he’s cocky and arrogant, but who wouldn’t be given his level of talent. He’s good and he knows it—there’s no shame in that. It’s a characteristic we both share to a degree.
“Oh, you know, just girl stuff.” Alina winks at me.
“What kind of girl stuff?” Enzo slips in next to her.
“The kind that’s between girls,” she tells him matter-of-factly, her eyes tracing Archer’s movements as he moves to stand next to me, the back of his hand grazing mine.
“Lame,” Enzo grumbles.
“So, Alina.” It’s Archer who speaks next. “If I remember correctly, you are quite the pool shark.”
“And here I thought you had forgotten all about that.” She smiles and even though I love her, a part of me wants to kick her in the shin. The insecure part of myself that can’t quite understand why Archer would even bat an eye in my direction with someone like Alina standing in the room.
“Not a chance. You took me for what, a hundred bucks that night.”
“Well, to be fair, I did warn you.”
“That you did.”
The two talk like they’re old chums.
“Hell, even I warned you.” Enzo barks out a laugh.
“Why?” Alina cuts back in. “You want a rematch?”
“Maybe. How about doubles? You and Enzo versus me and Rory.”
“The stakes? I mean, I could use some new kicks.” She licks her lips like a lioness about to feast on her prey.
“No cash. Bragging rights only.”
“That’s lame,” Enzo interjects.
“I wasn’t finished.” Archer grins. “Winners get bragging rights and... losers have to strip down to nothing, streak through the backyard, and then cannonball into the pool.”
“That’s nothing.” Enzo laughs again.
“I’m in.” Alina’s eyes gleam with challenge.
“Well, I’m not.” I finally speak up.
“What? Why not?” Alina whines.
“Because there isn’t a chance in hell I’m streaking across the yard naked or jumping in the pool. And in case you didn’t know”—I pivot toward Archer—“I’m a shit pool player.”
“You don’t have to be good. I’ll carry the team.” He winks.
“Ha! This is going to be easier than I thought.” Alina boasts.
