Page 30 of Knot My Band: Part One
His smirk tells me he noticed and likes it.
“There’s a ring toss,” I say, pointing past him.
We make our way to the booth, which has prizes hanging from every surface. There are stuffed animals, plastic bats, and stuff with the logos of all of Denver’s sports teams.
I try to pay this time, but Jack looks at me sternly before handing over the money to play.
The man behind the counter hands us our stacks of rings before stepping to the side closest to me.
“Are you ready to see some real skill?” Jack teases, picking up a ring.
“Skill, huh?” I quip, watching him take careful aim. The ring sails through the air and lands perfectly around a bottle. “Okay, show-off.”
“Your turn,” he prompts, stepping aside with a flourish.
My first attempt is a miss, but the second ring hooks onto a bottle with a satisfying clink. “Looks like we’re both naturals,” I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice.
“Guess we make quite the team,” Jack agrees, his smile warm and genuine. It’s a look I could get used to.
Jack makes the next two rings while I miss another. His smile is huge.
“I guess you’re better,” I mumble.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you.” Jack cuffs his ear playfully.
“You can pick your prize from this row,” the worker tells Jack while pointing at a row in the middle. He turns to me and leans forward so we are face to face. “I could be inclined to let you pick a prize as well.”
An arm wraps around my middle before tugging me into a rigid body.
Jack growls while staring at the man, who is clearly a beta. He backs off and raises his hands.
I turn around and press my hands on his chest, making him look down at me. “What prize are you going to pick?”
Jack narrows his eyes before turning around and leading me to another booth with a hand on my lower back.
“I’m winning you a prize from a different booth, so our memory of it isn’t tainted by someone hitting on you.”
I hide my laugh behind a cough.
He squints down at me. “Are you laughing at me?”
I shake my head no but can’t contain it. A giggle slips out.
“Maybe the memory would have been you being possessive of me and warning someone off,” I point out.
Jack thinks about it for a second before shaking his head. “Nope. I’m good at basketball, too.”
He leads us to one of the games, where it looks like a normal shot, but you know it’s a trick hoop. I don’t tell him that, hoping it humbles him.
“You’re cocky,” I point out.
He grins. “And you like it.”
At my raised eyebrow, he explains, “Your scent got sweeter.”
I look away, embarrassed.
“Don’t shy away from me. I love your scent. I’m glad you didn’t cover it up today.”
