Page 23 of Just Desserts in Pelican Point
I’m already counting the minutes until then.
* * *
Since its inception a couple months ago, game night at the winery has been equal parts tradition, chaos, and unfiltered trash talk, and tonight is no exception.
The Celtic Knot Winery barn has been transformed into its usual game night setup—a long wooden table, folding chairs of various comfort levels, and a ridiculous number of snacks that Candace insists are all gluten-free and organic, but I’m ninety percent sure Sophie smuggled in a tub of nacho cheese.
The scent of pepperoni rolls and Sauvignon Blanc floats in the air, and everyone’s already here when Marcus and I arrive.
Ryan’s already pacing behind the banker’s seat, rolling his shoulders like he’s about to enter a UFC ring. “Tonight’s the night I dominate the board,” he declares, cracking his knuckles. “No mercy.”
Emma sips her wine with the air of someone who’s been through this routine before. “That’s what you said last time. You’ve lost every game we’ve played. Last time, you lost to Joselyn.”
“Beginner’s luck,” Ryan fires back.
Sophie laughs and tosses a pillow at him. “You realize you’re a literal billionaire, and yet, Monopoly is the hill you’re gonna die on?”
Marcus is quiet beside me, arms crossed, leaning back in his chair like he’s evaluating a threat assessment rather than a board game. He hasn’t said much since we walked in, but he’s here with me—which in itself feels like a minor miracle. And he hasn't fled yet… yet.
“Do you play often?” I ask, nudging him with my elbow.
He gives me a side-eye. “Monopoly? Last time I played, I was ten and it ended in a shouting match over fake rent and a mysteriously missing dog token.”
“Oh, the dog always disappears,” I say with mock solemnity. “It’s cursed. Like the Hope Diamond of Monopoly.”
He almost—almost—smiles. It’s subtle, but the corner of his mouth twitches.
The game begins and it doesn’t take long for it to spiral into chaos.
Miles hoards the railroads like it’s his job. Brennen buys every utility and then gleefully charges us extortionate rates. Sophie pretends not to care until she builds three houses on Virginia Avenue and casually bankrupts Alex with a sweet kiss and zero remorse.
“Babe,” he groans.
“Don’t hate theplay-ah, hate the game,” she chirps, collecting all his properties.
Joselyn and Candace team up unofficially, managing trades like Wall Street sharks. Candace even has a spreadsheet open on her phone. I think she’s doing ROI calculations.
Meanwhile, Marcus and I quietly accumulate properties. Well, I try to play smart. He… somehow lands on free parking three times in a row, wins every community chest, and hasn’t paid rent once.
“You’re cheating,” Ryan mutters, squinting at Marcus.
“I’m lucky,” Marcus says, deadpan, not intimidated in the least.
“That’s worse.”
But the real show? Emma. She’s calm. Focused. Silent. Until she drops the bomb.
“Well, look at that,” she says sweetly, fanning her play money. “I now own Boardwalk, Park Place, and all the yellows. Ryan, my dearest big brother, looks like you’ve landed on one of my properties.”
Ryan stares at the board. Then at his stack of crumpled bills. Then back at Emma. “How much?” he grinds out.
Emma grins. “With hotels? That’ll be… all of it. Your cash, your properties, your pride.”
The room holds its collective breath.
Ryan, with dramatic flair only he could pull off, slams both hands down on the table. The Monopoly board goes flying—pieces, cards, dice, and play money soaring through the air like confetti at a loser’s parade.
“NO!” he shouts. “I will not be bankrupted by my little sister!”
