Most of the table now had one to two fingersextended. Not Asher.
Freya went next, considering, then noddedreflectively, “I’ve never sixty-nined. I may have to rectify that,but I just don’t understand the appeal. Why not take turns? Muchmore satisfying for everyone. But I’m not much of amultitasker.”
“Excellent point. It sounds like patting yourhead while rubbing your tummy.” Pippa considered for a moment,considering her Never. “I’ve never stolen anything.”
Knowing she had to participate, Sophie triedto come up with something. She wasn’t doing very well, only onefinger extended. After being the grownup for six years with heraunt, she’d made the most of her brain-not-done-developingadolescent rebellion when she got to college.
This had been before she’d met Pippa, ofcourse. A truly good-natured, cautious person, Pippa understoodSophie’s past but would never have been close with her during hertough years.
Trying to think of something Asher might beable to Never, she was stumped. “I… I’ve never done it outside.”She shrugged, hoping it would work.
Nope, still nothing. They went around a fewmore times. Asher refused to offer his own Nevers. Freya shook oneof her many extended fingers at him, “Ash, Grady and Pippa here areabout to win. You’ve got to come up with a Never of your own, cuz;you’re getting your ass royally kicked.”
He shrugged. “Fine. I’ve never been in love.”It almost looked like he’d been stewing on that one for a while buthadn’t wanted to share that personal little tidbit until he wasforced.
A very short while later, game over. Asherlost hands down, no pun intended. Sophie didn’t feel so bad; shewas only a few fingers behind him in the losing status.
Pippa tried to kick her under the table butdidn’t realize they were so far apart and nearly tumbled off herstool. “Sophie, I can’t believe you failed so miserably at that.You were a naughty girl before I met you.” Not actually judgmental,she flashed a wicked smile at Sophie.
“I had to explore many of life’s offerings,good and bad, out of the clutches of my evil aunt, before I knewwhat I wanted for myself.” She raised the frosty glass in the airto toast a fond farewell to her past and drained the amber liquid,until she was down to nearly half what she’d started with. Was thatlike saying it was half full? She was so much more the optimist nowthan she’d been before meeting Pippa.
Without a change in expression, as he sippedhis beer, Asher’s free hand joined Sophie’s under the table. Withimpressive subtlety, he slid his hand into hers so no one wouldnotice. Her long fingers slid between his like they belonged there.The heat the simple gesture stirred was still such a new sensation,setting every nerve in her body on fire with arousal and comfort inan unexpected, cohesive combination.
Freya topped off the non-driver’s beers. “Weshould have had this at home, then we could play beer pong and Icould watch you all get loose and tell me all your secrets.”
Asher snorted, a dark, thunderous veilcovering his gaze. “Not sure you want all of them, cuz.”
Letting out a rich belly laugh, Lincolnteased, “And, I’m officially done with party games. I’m going tosee where we’re at on the billiards waiting list.”
After a short wait, one of the requested pooltables freed up. Leaving it to teams of two, Sophie declined,knowing her skills would be rather pathetic compared to the othersas they smack-talked about their impressive strategies. Neverhaving much talent at billiards, she was more than happy to hangback. Asher had stayed pretty quiet afterI Neverandoffered to wait for the next table.
Watching the others settle in at billiards,Asher scanned the room. Looking above them, he smiled when he sawthe dart board over their heads. “Wanna play?”
Sophie glanced up, noticing the dart boardfor the first time. “You’re on.”
Releasing her hand, he rose from the table.Rubbing her fingers together reflexively, she felt cold at the lossof contact. He disappeared to the bar for a moment and returnedwith two sets of darts while she moved to claim the dartboard.
Hands gripping Sophie’s hips, looking helpfulfrom afar, his thumbs caressed under the hem of her top as hebacked her up to the line to start the game. Stepping out of theway with a wink and a devastating smile, he let Sophie go first.She let the dart fly.
Nailed it. The board anyway. The bullseye wasa long way off. Or anything that carried any point value. Of herthree darts, one of them actually scored a few points.
Not that they were playing competitively.Asher took her spot at the line and nailed a cluster right in thebullseye. Scowling at his perfect throws, she wasn’t quite sure shewanted to play darts anymore.
With a shrug, he pulled the darts from theboard and handed hers back. “We won’t keep score,” he grinned.
They neither kept score, nor kept muchconversation for a few rounds. Not awkward or anything, morecompanionable silence. He showed her a few pointers, and sheactually made a few decent throws. Hand-eye coordination had neverbeen her thing.
“Did you work at the hardware store with yourdad growing up?” For the first time, Asher missed the dart boardentirely.
Stalking to the dropped dart, he picked it upwithout a word and walked back over. “As little as possible. Wasn’treally my thing, and I was in a hurry to graduate from high school,getting ahead by taking classes at the community college, so Ididn’t have much time to work.” Trying again, he nailed the nextround of shots.
She knew she shouldn’t pry. It wasn’t polite.He just… he exhibited absolutely no enthusiasm for working in thehardware store. She hadn’t seen it yet but had heard it was prettywell-stocked with practical and high-end goods. “Is it your thingnow?”
He shrugged again and scratched at anon-existent itch in his thick five o’clock shadow. “It’s a job.Sitting around the house is less my thing.”
Sophie nudged him and laughed. “I don’t thinkI’ve ever seen you sit still at home. What would you do, if youcould pick any job in town, what would it be? Mayor? Beautician?Mailman? Go back to school?”
As she wasn’t actively playing anymore, hestole her darts and threw them too, with a bit more fierceness thanbefore. “I have no idea.”
