Page 15 of Playing For Keeps

“For me too,” he said, and it disarmed her, having him reciprocate something like that. She only said it because her mouth was quicker than her brain, but he had time to think it through before responding.

“How come?” It was prying, it was perhaps a little too intrusive. It came across almost like an interview question, the one where they asked you why you left your last job or to explain the gap in employment on your resume. But curiosity won out over propriety.

He grimaced slightly, and Farren jumped back in to ease his discomfort.

“You don’t have to answer anything. I’m too nosy for my own good.” She chuckled at herself, and it seemed enough to make him smile, if only slightly.

“Work, mostly. I’ve been so consumed with trying to prove myself as a developer, climb the ladder and all that. I haven’t really been on a date—a real one—in quite some time. As you’ve already seen, it can be demanding and takes up a lot of my time.” Sebastian shrugged as if it was no big deal, as if he’d accepted his lot long ago. Her heart ached a little at the idea of him feeling like he had to choose.

Before she could say so, before she could jump too far ahead of herself, he turned the question around onto her, and this time, it was Farren’s turn to feel blinding panic build up in her chest. What could she say, really?

I’m terrible at choosing the right people. The thought of stopping long enough to get tangled in something real makes me want to dry-heave with anxiety? It was too deep for a first date. Farren hadn’t even delved too far into it herself, mollifying herself with the notion it would sort itself out in the end.

“Just hasn’t worked out, I guess? So, I stopped trying for a bit. Took a break from online dating, SPANX, and trying to make a good impression.” It was mostly true. In the most immediate sense, it was true.

He laughed, his dark chocolate tone spreading heat up from her stomach to her throat. “Glad to know you’re not concerned about making a good showing with me. Though I suppose I kind of ruined that when I made the worst first impression possible.” Sebastian gave a little groan, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair in a way she suspected was a nervous habit.

“Yeah, I think it would be an understatement to say I wasn’t expecting it, or you. But I’m glad. We wouldn’t be sitting here otherwise.”

“I’m still sorry, though. I shouldn’t have… acted the way I did.” His gaze was pleading, his lips narrowing into a displeased line. “It was uncalled for, and I’m not usually pushy—or that much of an ass.”

He really seemed unhappy, guilty perhaps. How could she explain it may have riled her in the beginning but playing games with him was the highlight of her night?

“Well, I appreciate you saying so. Even if I don’t think it’s necessary. I do, however, still expect you to make it to one of the game nights. Since those were the terms we agreed to.” It was cheeky, meant to sound teasing, but Farren did mean it. She wanted to see him there, share something she loved with him.

“And I will. I’m a man of my word. Work’s making it difficult at the moment.” Work again.

“Do you have any hobbies outside of work?” It was supposed to be a harmless question, but his hand tightened around his drink, his lips thinning, and Farren realized she may have upset him by asking.

“Not really. Not at all, if I’m being honest, unless you count Netflix.”

“Netflix counts! What do you like to watch?” She leaned forward, elbows on the table, eager to find out more about him.

The conversation continued on for quite a while, though Sebastian switched to water since he’d driven. She learned he liked watching documentaries (not surprising) and movie musicals (definitely unexpected). He blamed it on his parents, saying they were huge music lovers. He grew up on a steady diet of everything from ABBA and the Bee Gees, right through to Joe Cocker and Hendrix. They were a product of the era they grew up in, and he hinted at them being hippies.

Farren shared that her music taste was a mishmash of every season in her life. Like with every other aspect, she’d bounced around different genres. Right now, she was in that “fall feeling” even though it was still sticky and warm during the day, so today had been a Fleetwood Mac kind of day.

They played a few more rounds of ping pong, neither of them improving much by the end of it. They made their way outside, ready to walk in opposite directions—Farren to the Metro, Sebastian to his car—when his hand shot out to grab hers.

She threaded her fingers through his and looked up at him in question.

“Let me drive you back?”

Don’t give him your address on a first date. The careful part of her warned.

Invite him inside when you get home.

Her thoughts warred within her. As usual, the more devious of her natures won out.

She squeezed his hand in hers and smiled, electricity skittering under her ribcage as her heartbeat sped up at the prospect of more time with him.

“Sure.”

It wasn’t too far, less than a whole block to the parking lot, but he held her hand the entire time, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand in tentative touches. Only letting go once they stood at the car, the rear lights blinking when he unlocked it. It was neat and clean, as expected. Sebastian was consistent. Farren truly believed the night at the cafe was an outlier for him.

Streetlights passed in a blur, his phone mounted to the dash, dark mode lighting the way home. The silence seemed fraught with energy neither was ready to acknowledge, so Farren reached forward to turn on the radio. A faint thrum from the speakers gave her something to focus on besides the proximity of his body to hers. His shoulders were broad, his arm almost touching hers as they sat beside each other, and Farren tried her best to keep her cool.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t gotten physical with someone quickly before. There were a few one-night-stands in her time. When it felt right, Farren was happy to jump in on the first date. Somehow, she knew Sebastian might not have the same propensity for it. So, she held back, letting him set the pace, because the last thing she wanted was to scare him off by coming on too strong.

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