Page 210 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

His tone is soft, and I know Caleb doesn’t always take chances. Neither do I. But yet we both did with each other. I’m not naïve enough to think one night of amazing sex is what leads to a lifetime commitment, but Caleb makes it so easy to believe there could be more.

“I like you too. And…” I run a hand through my hair and mutter under my breath.

“And what, Malcolm?”

“I’ve always wanted a standing date with someone. You know, like, we meet for Taco Tuesday once a month, or the third Saturday every month is movie night, no matter what.” Fuck, I sound like such a loser, but he’s listening without running, so I keep going. “A standing date every day for lunch? With someone who makes me laugh and feel seen? Someone with a sense of humour and makes me tissue paper flowers, and remembers a thirty-second conversation about chicken salad? Yeah, it’s not creepy. And I’d love to do that.”

Caleb sets his sandwich aside and tugs on my elbow.

“You forgot the part about a great ass,” he says with a slow grin and I huff a laugh.

“I didn’t think I needed to remind you again.”

He pulls me closer, and I set my hand on his chest.

“No, you don’t. But Malcolm?”

“Yeah?”

He dips his head and his nose slides along mine. “I don’t mind reminding you that you’re amazing every day. I’m excited to be that standing date for you.”

Caleb’s lips gently brush over mine and a million fireworks go off in my brain.

“Get a room,” Old lady Green barks, but there’s no bite. She genuinely smiles from the end of the aisle she was in. Caleb and I separate with a cough.

“Sorry. We probably shouldn’t kiss in front of customers. It’s unprofessional.”

Old lady Green thumps up to the counter. She stomps so hard I’m afraid of spontaneous bone breakage. I’m sure that’s a thing.

“Don’t do that.” She wags a finger between us. “You can kiss wherever and whenever you want. It’s not unprofessional one bit. Straight people do it all the time without a second thought.” She slides a book onto the counter—One Hundred Days of Macrame—and lowers her voice. “You own this store and it’s your life. Don’t ever live with regrets.”

Mrs. Green sounds like she’s speaking with experience and without thinking, I round the corner and fold my arms around her in a hug.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Don’t try to make me cry. Get off me.”

She laughs as she says it and swats me playfully.

“Hey, Mal. I need to get back to help dad. I just saw a huge crowd go in. I’ll call you later?”

“Oh, yes, go help. I’ll talk to you later. Leave the mess, I’ll clean up.”

Caleb kisses me quickly before rounding the counter.

“Wait!” He stops and steps over when I motion him closer. Leaning over, I kiss him longer than the peck he gave me. “If you have to rush out, make the kiss a good one.”

With a dopey grin, he bumps into the rack of postcards on his way out and jogs across the street.

“He’s a keeper.”

“I know.”

While I take her payment, there’s one thing on a continuous loop in my mind.

I can’t wait to get to know him more and I wonder if we can make playing Truth or Dare one of our standing dates.

Are you curious about Sasha and his love story? You can read about him in Beauty and the Beard.

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