Page 203 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

Malcolm pulls out a chair for me before taking the one next to me. His hand rests on my thigh and without thinking, I slide my hand on top of his and link our fingers together. His lips part as he turns his head towards me. Did he not want that?

He squeezes back, though, and a smile with a full dimple display lights up his face. It’s a legit crime for him to be so cute.

“Well, we love shooters. Sour Puss Raspberry is the best.” Avery grabs a glass and downs his shot before turning to kiss his partner.

“They’re the best for me because it makes him extra horny.” Bruce cackles and the two of them tease each other before returning to the conversation.

“You never did give us the full answer about how you two met. You work across the street from each other. I feel like there’s more to it than you just walking across the street finally.”

Avery wisely drinks some water before any more shots, and I hold my breath. I don’t know how to answer that without sounding like a creep. But I don’t have to worry, because Malcolm jumps in.

“Yes, we own businesses across from each other. Caleb, as you know, owns the Ragged Chutes coffee store and I own the bookshop across the street, Page Turners. I noticed him a few months ago. He would always put patio tables outside, even in the winter. He usually had his back to me and I called him great-ass guy.” Malcolm glances my way. “But I was too afraid to introduce myself.”

He says the last bit while holding eye contact and my heart bursts.

“So you were crushing on the coffee barista? While he was crushing on you? That is so sweet!” Bruce gushes.

“Yeah, I guess I was. Still am.”

Avery grins, and I tense at the glint in his eye.

“There’s no better way to get to know your crush than a game of truth or dare. You two wanna play?”

Malcolm glances at me. “I will if you will.”

“Sure, why not?”

Avery rubs his hands together with glee.

“We’ll go first and keep the nudity to a minimum. It’s a public place.”

Bruce groans. “There’s a story to that and it involved a place like this, actually.”

Swallowing hard, I turn to Malcolm.

“You sure you want to do this?”

“YOLO, Caleb. I’ve denied myself a lot. It’s time to indulge.” He leans closer so the others can’t hear. “Remember, you can say no if this is too much for you. I’ll still take you home.”

“Okay! I’m going first!” Avery drunkenly shouts. “Caleb, I dare you to tell us all how you get that great ass.”

And so it begins.

Chapter 9

Malcolm

“Well, I work out at home most evenings. I have equipment in the basement.” He shrugs and sips his drink. “Lots of squats. I do one exercise where you squeeze your glutes while lifting weights.”

Avery leans forward. “You squeeze your cheeks?” Licking his lips, he throws a look at Bruce. “I bet that would be something, eh?”

Caleb shrugs. “It’s just an exercise.”Avery deflates, clearly disappointed with the response. “I started it easy, and I was just curious. Caleb, it’s your turn. Ask one of us a question.”

Caleb’s eyes dart my way and the shy boyish ways he had during our first conversation return.

“Malcolm, truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

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