Page 19 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

His lips twitch, giving me the impression that there are indeed more rumors. But instead of answering, his blush spreads further down his neck.

“Oh, come on. Tell me.” I encourage. I give him a wide smile and hope it breaks through his shy demeanor.

“Hmm.” He taps his finger to his chin and pretends to think. “Well, one time, someone thought you were some kind of fashion designer sneaking in the clothing of someone else's design.”

I laugh again. Okay, this is even better, a playful yet shy Law is adorable. “A fashion smuggler?”

He nods eagerly, his hands pushing down lightly on his bouncing legs.

“God forbid I fold an expensive runway dress.” I shake my head. “Don’t people know that’s the biggest faux pas?”

Lawson’s whole face seems to light up at our banter. “Peggy mentioned that you might have some of the latest concoctions of energy drinks in your bag to help keep Ella Gray awake twelve hours a day.” He giggles. “Oh! And Rhonda bet money that you steal all the magazine designs from our competitors and stash them in your bag.”

He offers me a wide, genuine smile.

My whole body freezes, struck by the beauty of his smile. I tilt my head and study his face again, my eyes focusing on his pink lips. Someone once told me that the lips are the same color as a person’s nipples. I wonder if that's true.

Rolling my chair closer to him, I lean forward, taking in his vanilla and coffee scent that always seems to drive me a little crazy whenever I visit. “And what do you think is in my bag, Law?” I purr, my tone sounding huskier than anticipated.

I don’t miss the way he shudders when I say his name.

He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “If I had to guess I think it’s something obvious,” he whispers. “I would’ve bet money it’s something simple like food.”

I offer him a noncommittal hum.

Lawson clears his throat and speaks up. “But everyone thought that was ridiculous. The bag is so large. Why would you be bringing her so much food?”

I scoot even closer. Lawson leans in and stares at my lips. Almost as if he wants to kiss me. Butterflies flutter in my stomach. Fuck, when was the last time anyone caused that reaction from me?

“What’s going on here?” says Noah, the pink-haired receptionist, as he appears by Lawson’s side.

Lawson squeaks.

I bite back a grin and look over at Noah. “I noticed Law here was abandoned at the front desk and thought I would try to impress him by coming to his rescue.”

Smiling at Lawson, I pray I’m not coming off too strong. I only have a short window to make my intentions clear before the phones start ringing off the hook.

Lawson turns bright red and rolls his chair back quickly with a guilty look on his face.

Interesting.

Noah must agree with me, because he smirks as his eyes bounce between us. “Well, aren't we full of surprises? I didn’t realize the hottie with the mysterious bag had access to the Dee Rama networks.”

“And who said I wasn’t a Dee Rama employee?”

“Is that so?” Noah focuses on me with a glint in his eyes. “You know, as a thank you, you should come to my birthday party tomorrow.”

As much as I would be tempted to make new friends since moving back to Olivia Cove, I’m not sure if Noah is hitting on me. And, while that would be flattering, my eyes are set on the nerdy, blushing redhead next to me. “Thanks, I'll think about it.”

“No need to think about it,” Noah purrs. “We would love to have you there.” Noah puts an extra emphasis on the word we. Then, passes me a piece of paper with an address on it. Did he have this ready for me?

“Oh my gosh, Noah. Shut up!” Lawson playfully hits Noah. “He'll go if he wants to. You don't need to make it awkward.”

My eyes bounce to Lawson. “And will you be there, Law?”

His cheeks flame again. “Um… uh. Ye-yeah.”

“Good. Then I'll be there, too.” I wink and stand.

---