Page 35 of Stealing for Keeps
“Yep. It was really fun. And I promise.” She holds one hand over her heart. “I only selected the coolest fish. You’re safe with any of them.”
His grin widens, and he turns back to the game, ready to take another turn.
“Thanks,” I say to her quietly.
“He’s cute.”
“Well, he takes after his big brother.”
She looks like she wants to debate that but then smiles. Wyatt misses again and turns with slumped shoulders.
“Actually, you know, I have all these tickets left, and I have to go soon. Maybe you could use them?” Claire holds up at least twenty tickets. I’m going to be at this one spot all night.
Wyatt hesitates until I nod my permission.
“Thank you,” I say again. “So…you picked out the fish?” I raise one brow in question.
“Lacey is head cheerleader and vice president of student council, so I got roped into helping.”
I chuckle, because I’m easily able to picture Lacey handing out orders to anyone and everyone to pull the carnival together.
On his next try, Wyatt sinks the ball into one of the bowls. His excitement is contagious. Claire and I are all smiles as he bounces with joy in front of us. The woman gets the fish and brings it to us. He can barely hold it.
“Easy. Don’t shake him too much.” I help him steady the fish.
“I won’t,” he says like he wasn’t doing just that a second ago.
There are two balls left, but he has already forgotten about them. He’s staring at his new fish and talking to him through the bag. I pick up one of the remaining balls and look over at Claire. “Have a favorite?”
One brow lift, and she surveys the fish. “Second row from the back, fourth over.”
With my right hand, I aim while holding her gaze. “Are you sure?”
She lifts one brow in challenge. “Third over.”
I move my hand over an inch to the left and wait for her to decide if she’s going to keep fucking with me. I hope so. I like it.
“Fourth,” she says defiantly.
I slide my hand back over.
“There’s no way,” she says.
The ball leaves my fingertips, and I hold Claire’s gaze a beat longer. I know I’ve made the no-look shot by the shock on her face a second later. The rush is almost as good as making that last goal tonight. Almost.
She covers her surprise quickly. “Nice trick.”
“No trick. All skill.” I wink.
The woman brings her fish over to me.
“Now you’ve got a fish at each house,” I tell her.
Her hard-ass expression morphs slowly, then she laughs, and a real smile plays over her face as I hand over the plastic bag with a squirming goldfish swimming in it.
“Thank you.” She looks touched by the gesture, which makes me want to do a whole bunch of nice things for her.
“Want to hit up another game with us?” I ask. “I could win you a big stuffed animal to go with it.”
