Page 56 of Vicious Games

“That look wasn’tnothing.“So what is it?”

“Aren’t nuns supposed to say grace before they eat or some shit?”

“I guess,” I say with a shrug, taking another forkful.

Lucky just grins, then pushes off the counter and strolls over to the fridge. He yanks it open, grabs two water bottles, and tosses one my way without warning.

I catch it—barely—earning another one of his cocky smirks.

He hops up onto the counter, patting the spot next to him.

After a second’s hesitation, I join him, swinging my legs idly as I take another bite of waffle.

For a few minutes, we eat in silence, the city stretching out beyond the tall windows like something out of a movie trailer.

“I’ve never seen a nun who doesn’t use every excuse in the book to pray to her maker.”

“I’m not a nun.”

“Yet,” he counters smoothly.

I drop my fork and stare him down.

“Why do you always bring that up? It’s like you’re obsessed or something.”

“Maybe I am,” he admits, twirling his fork between his fingers. “I just don’t get why anyone would willingly choose that life.”

I laugh. “What… you mean a life of helping others? A selfless life of trying to do some actual good in the world?”

“A celibate life.” Heat creeps up my neck at the way his chestnut eyes darken just a shade.

“That’s your issue with it?”

“It’s one of my issues,” he retorts with a smug smile before cutting into his Eggo. “But yeah, that one’s definitely at the top of the list.”

I roll my eyes and go back to eating before murmuring, “I don’t think I’ll be missing much.”

Lucky chokes on his waffle. “Are you kidding?”

“Does it look like I’m kidding?” I repeat his earlier words to me.

“Fuck,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I really don’t get you.”

“You don’t have to,” I say simply, before taking a sip of water. “Your only job is to teach me calculus. You don’t need togetme.”

“God, you’re annoying,” he groans. “I’m just trying to have a conversation.”

“No,” I correct. “You’re judging something you don’t understand.”

“Fine,” he says, placing his plate in between us to give me his full attention. “Enlighten me, then.”

“That’s the beauty of it. I don’t have to,” I retort nonchalantly, taking another bite.

Instead of getting annoyed, he just looks at me, his gaze unreadable and oddly focused, as if trying to figure something out.

“So, what, the whole celibacy thing is cool with you?” he finally asks.

“Like I said, I don’t think I’m missing much.” Lucky looks like I just punched him square in the face again.

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