Page 29 of Summer Heat
"What did you have in mind?"
I threw a thumb over my shoulder. "The attic is stocked with every game you can imagine. I had visions of rainy days playing games and putting puzzles together."
"Who do you play games with?" Kinsley asked, nothing but curiosity in her voice.
"The idea was the family would be over and I'd play with them. But the rest of the house isn't ready yet."
"And you haven't told anyone about this amazing space." Maya's gaze moved from the sky to me. "Not that I blame you. I'd probably keep this space a secret too."
"It has been nice to have somewhere to escape to that no one knows about."
"I know about it now," Kinsley said softly.
"You do." But I didn't think she'd ever tell my family about it before I was ready or invade my space if I wanted privacy. I liked seeing her here in this place that had come to mean so much to me.
I stood, and Kinsley followed me inside where there was a cupboard filled with games and puzzles. I opened it, and she said, "You do have a lot of games."
"We loved playing board games growing up. There were a lot of fights with all of us, but I have good memories of doing this together."
"Which one is your favorite from childhood?"
I pulled down the deluxe version of Monopoly. It was brand new, never been played before. "We used to have marathon sessions. We never wanted to quit. We'd keep track of everyone's money in a notebook."
She shrugged. "I don't know if I have time for a marathon session, but we can start a game."
I nodded. "Let's do it."
I set up the game on the couch so that the board was situated between us, and the bank was on the floor at our feet.
Kinsley rolled first and counted out six spaces. "I never remember. Are you supposed to buy everything you land on, or should I wait for the green or blue properties at the end?"
"It's a strategy you can use," I said cryptically.
Kinsley laughed. "Ah. You're not going to help me. Are you competitive?"
I smirked. "I have five brothers and one sister. What do you think?"
She bit her lip. "You take your games seriously."
"I have, yes." But I wasn't planning on being cutthroat with Kinsley. I was just enjoying being on the rooftop with her.
The breeze tickled our skin, cooling me off. The water crashing on the shore was an ever-present sound that never failed to soothe my soul.
Kinsley thought for a few seconds, then put cash in the bank. "I'll buy it."
While she sorted through the properties to find the one she needed, I rolled the dice. We continued like that, with her buying everything she landed on until she was short on money and me biding my time.
"I wonder which strategy will win," Kinsley said thoughtfully.
"I've played this enough to know that either can win the game. There was a fair amount of luck involved. But once hotels were added, the game tends to bankrupt players quickly."
A crease appeared between her eyebrows. "Is that your endgame? Hotels?"
"Isn't that everyone's? World domination?" Except I was starting to think my endgame was Kinsley and Maya, although I had no business thinking of them as mine. I pumped my fist when I landed on Park Place and bought it.
Kinsley groaned. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"
"I wouldn't say that. Yet."
