Page 75 of A Game Plan for Love

“You can getonetoy,” I decide, and Nora cheers, clutching the stuffed animal to her chest. “Since this isn’t a toy, does that mean I can get this and also a Lego Set?”

“You’re pushing your luck,” Declan advises her.

“This is good!” She runs to the checkout counter, and Declan steps behind her to pay. I try to hip check him out of the way and wave my card around the machine but it’s futile. He hands the cashier his card, and hip checks me right back.

I ricochet, and his laughter fills the air as Nora clings to her new toy and walks proudly out of the aquarium. He interlaces our hands as we walk back to the car and helps Nora climb into his SUV and buckle her seatbelt.

Her arms wrap around his shoulders as he secures the buckle.

“This was the best day ever, Decy,” she mumbles.

He pulls away, and his eyes glisten with emotion. The door falls shut, and I rub his back. “Best day ever,” I confirm, trying to banish whatever rogue thought caused his face to crumple. I pull him to the back of the car where Nora can’t see, and press a gentle kiss to his lips.

It’s short, but sweet, and when he opens his eyes, they’re a bit lighter.

“Did you enjoy the aquarium?” I ask, trailing a hand along his jaw.

He tilts his jaw, stubble scratching my palm as he sinks into the touch. “Best day ever.”

CHAPTER 21

Boyfriend – Justin Bieber

Declan

Someoneisgoingtoflip the coffee table.

It’s a guarantee given the competitive energy suffocating Deon’s hotel room.

Jack, Henry, Deon, and I are packed into the small hotel room. Jack sits on the couch, Henry in a chair, Deon on the floor right in front of the television, and I’m on the edge of the bed.

“Get out of my way!” Deon yells, jamming his fingers against the Switch controller, as if using brute force will make Princess Peach drive faster across the rainbow bridge.

“Eat dust!” Henry yells back and launches a banana.

Jack isn’t fast enough, and his car swirls around in the top right corner, and his position number drops to the back of the pack. “Fuck you!”

All fingers stop movement as the swear word hangs in the air. Deon turns his head, Henry’s jaw slackens, and I stare at him with wide eyes. For a man who is knownnotto swear, he creates a mighty presence when he does.

His lips tilt up in a victorious smile. “You three are too easy to distract. I win.”

Heads dart back to the screen where his kart has crossed the finish line, and Bowser is celebrating his victory. Deon groans loudly and tosses the small controller at Jack, who catches it with ease.

“It’s not over yet!” I yell, jamming my fingers against the buttons to bump Deon out of second place.

I’m flying over the rainbow bridge while Deon scrambles upright. “Give me that!” he yells, throwing his body at Jack to get the controller back. “I need to win!”

“Even the computers are going to beat you,” Henry says, taking third place while Deon drops behind the computer players.

Jack finally returns the controller, but it’s too late. A large ‘Nice Try’ fills Deon’s corner of the screen.

“I only lost because Jack swore,” Deon says with a pout.

“Mhm. Sure.” He glares daggers at me, but I throw a bag of seasoned pretzels at his head, and his entire demeanor shifts.

He digs into the bag and crouches over it like Gollum and the ring. Nobody shall touch hispreciouspretzels.

“Another round?” Henry suggests.

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