“I suppose we’re not the only ones with a love for marshmallows,” she remarks, turning to me. “Please tell me you don’t give these to your dog,” she implores, holding up the bag.
I shrug sheepishly. “One won’t hurt, right.”
“It could,” she scolds me. “You really should read some books on how to properly care for a dog.”
“Does he look like he is unhealthy or unhappy?” I ask, squeezing Angus close to my side as I make a sad face in Jane’s direction.
“You both are distracting me from winning this all important game,” she tells me with a huff as she flounces back to a sitting position opposite me on the blanket. “No more marshmallows for either of you.”
“Youare no fun.” I pout for dramatic effect.
“Oh, I’m a lot of fun, up until you feed marshmallows to puppies. I have to draw the line somewhere.”
“See, Angus, you should be nicer to me. She’s a tyrant,” I tell my pup with a kiss to his head, as Jane just shakes her head good-naturedly. “Now, let’s win this game so we can control the marshmallows once again.”
“Bring it,” Jane replies as she lays down a set of four queens.
“Are you kidding?”
She just shrugs with a teasing laugh.
“Angus, grab her cards,” I whisper to his ear.
Angus barks, agreeing of course. Jane holds her cards close to her chest as laughter fills the space.
“Looks like you, Mr. Detective, are making me dinner.” She lays down the last of her cards, a small run, with a triumphant grin.
I throw my hands up in defeat. Jane’s victorious smile is radiant, lighting up her face. Her green eyes are sparkling, and I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.
“You cheated,” I mutter playfully, but I reach out to shake her hand. A sportsman-like gesture that’s meant to be casual but sends a current through me when our hands touch.
“Are you just a sore loser or do you always accuse people of cheating when things don’t go your way?” Jane teases.
“Only when I’m not doing the cheating,” I reply, my heart beating faster than normal.
“Admit it, Andrew,” she begins, her grin wicked and proud. “You underestimated me…again.”
“Fine,” I concede. “I did. But you know what they say about underdogs.” I lift up Angus and waggle my brows.
“That wasn’t very punny.”
Her cute, freckled nose scrunches as she laughs at my lame joke. I’m having more fun this unexpected weekend than I have in a long time. It’s almost surreal how naturally we fall intoeach other’s rhythm, teasing, and challenging each other every step of the way. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and I find myself hoping that this game night isn’t our last.
Her laughter dies down, an amused glimmer still present in her gaze. “It’s time to impress me with your culinary skills.”
“Any requests?” I ask only half-jokingly.
She bites her lower lip thoughtfully—a cute gesture that I find incredibly attractive. “Surprise me.”
6
Jane
The vibrations coming from the bedside table cut into my sleep. I roll over, searching for the source of the noise. I squint and blow out a breath, trying to bring the world into focus around me. It’s still pitch-black outside the window. The vibration sounds off again, my phone dancing around on the nightstand.
I thought I turned it off yesterday, despite the service being restored. I wasn’t ready to hear from my mom or from work, or anyone for that matter. As I pull the phone close to my face, I see my mother’s name on the screen.
“Mom?” I ask as I put the device to my ear. “Why are you calling at four in the morning?”
