Page 197 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

“Hi, Malcolm. I’m sorry I’m early, but I made this for you today and I… I couldn’t wait to give it to you.”

He presents the gift to me and I’m unsure of what to do with it.

“They aren’t real.” He adds. “Can I come in?”

“Oh, please. I’m sorry.” Stepping aside I let Caleb in and restrain myself from swooning. He wore cologne. And it’s my favourite. “Um, so what are these? I hope that’s not rude.”

Caleb smiles with a small shake of his head.

“No it’s not rude. Let me show you.”

He removes a flower from the bunch by its pipe cleaner stem and I’m struck once again with how pretty his blue eyes are.

“My pops was a kindergarten teacher. He always had his class make paper flowers on Mother’s and Father’s Day. Valentine’s Day. Literally every holiday the kids made flowers. And I used to help him cut the papers for the kids.” A gentle blush blooms on his cheeks. “Anyway, I got creative one year and instead of using construction paper, I used tissue paper.” As he speaks, he’s peeling apart a gorgeous rose of pink tissue and I’m truly and utterly fascinated.

When he gets to the centre, he pulls out a wrapped Hershey’s Kiss.

“Flowers and candy all in one.”

He hands me the chocolate and his hand shakes just like mine.

“Thank you. That’s really sweet.” I huff a nervous laugh. Why am I so nervous? I’m never like this. “Sweet gesture and a sweet treat.”

“You’re welcome.”

There’s a crackle between us and underneath that shy blush there’s a fire raging in his bright blue eyes. Those aren’t innocent baby blues. And if all goes well, maybe I can find out hot that fire burns.

“Would you like to go early and explore the outdoor market before dinner?”

“That sounds like a great idea. It might be too cold later for me to wander. I get cold easily.”

Grabbing my coat, a scarf and my warmest mitts, Caleb chuckles.

“It’s not that cold out.”

“It is to me.”

Screech chirps and plops at my feet while he inspects Caleb.

“Hey little buddy.” He holds his hand out for Screech to sniff and Screech immediately bypasses a sniff and headbutts him for an ear scratch.

“He likes you.”

Caleb peers up from under his dark lashes while my cat loves on him. He turns back to my cat and whispers, “I hope your owner likes me as much as you.”

He doesn’t respond. Instead, Caleb pops to his feet and says, “Shall we?”

With a nod, I open the door and let him leave before me.

I’m not above staring at his ass on the way out, either.

Chapter 6

Caleb

“Oh, man, they have those maple taffy cone things! Have you ever had those?”

Malcolm may come off as reserved to most, but he’s a giant kid once he starts talking. We pause in front of a vendor selling maple taffy cones for a dollar and the proceeds go to the fund for building an outdoor skating rink in the town park.

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