Page 6 of The Perfect Deal

“Yeah, me too,” he said. “Looks like some people are starting to go home, though. If you’re ready to go, I’m more than happy to walk you home.”

I arched an eyebrow at him. “Don’t you think that’s a little risky?” I asked, knowing he’d get exactly what I was talking about.

With a shrug, Joshua said, “We both have to walk back that way. Our houses are practically right next to one another. Why not walk together?”

My mouth dropped open, and I was about to tell him okay, but a hand clamped down on my shoulder firmly. I looked over to see Joshua startled and realized he’d just experienced the same thing.

It was my brother, of course. “Hey, you two,” Landon said. Thankfully his tone was lighthearted and happy. “You about ready to head home?”

It was almost as if he had overheard us and wanted to make sure that we didn’t go home together. “Uh, yeah,” I stammered. “I was just saying I thought it might be time to head back to the house.” I met Joshua’s eyes, and we both shrugged.

“Cool,” Landon said. “Poppy and I were just chatting and wondered if you’d wanna come over to our house to play board games.” He was talking to Joshua now, not me—I lived there, after all.

Joshua still looked a little confused, but his head was rocking back and forth. “Yeah. That sounds fun,” he managed.

I couldn’t help the small smile that pulled up the corners of my mouth. Obviously, I wanted him to go back to our house with us and spend an hour or two—or three—sitting around with us. With me.

“Awesome. Let’s go ahead and tell everyone goodbye and head home.” Landon clapped Joshua on the shoulder before he headed over to find Luke.

Seeing Poppy a few feet away, telling Luke’s mother goodbye, I said, “I’ll go over with Poppy if you want to follow my brother.”

Joshua nodded, grinning at me. “I think this is one of the best ideas your brother has ever had.”

I didn’t want anyone to see just how excited I was that I’d get to spend more time with Joshua, so I agreed quickly and spun away, feeling my cheeks heat up. I rushed to Poppy’s side and joined in telling everyone we were headed out.

Once we’d thanked our hosts and told everyone we’d see them later, Poppy and I headed for the gate closest to our homes. I glanced behind us to see Landon and Joshua walking in our direction. “Thanks for this,” I whispered to my best friend.

Poppy giggled. “It was actually Landon’s idea. I mean, to go play board games. I think he’s tired of hearing some of the other guys talking about picking up chicks.”

“I guess he is past that time in his life.” The guys caught up with us, so I couldn’t comment more, but I had an idea that Poppy had suggested that he only invite Joshua and me to come along.

The four of us walked along the sidewalk down Swanson Ridge Street toward our home. Poppy and Landon took the lead with Joshua and I hanging back. While all four of us joined in the conversation about the barbecue and how much fun it had been to catch up with all of our friends from the neighborhood, I found my mind wandering again. My brother and Poppy were so cute together, holding hands and doting on one another. I wanted that for Joshua and me. My fingertips itched to stretch over and reach for his arm. I knew I couldn’t do that, though. Landon would go berserk, and I didn’t need that sort of drama in my life at the moment.

Eventually, we reached the house and walked inside, heading to the game room, which was off the living room now that my father’s billiards room was no longer a necessity. Landon had done some remodeling and moved the pool table upstairs so that we could have an area near the backyard to entertain, and I thought this worked a lot better. When Poppy moved in, I wondered what other changes might be made. But then, I was still in the process of building my own house, so it didn’t much matter to me, as long as they were happy.

“We could play Life,” Landon said, opening the cabinet and peering inside.

“I don’t exactly feel like I’m winning at that right now,” I mumbled.

Poppy squeezed my hand, and Joshua gave me a sympathetic look, but Landon didn’t seem to hear me.

“Or Jenga?” My brother turned and looked at us.

“How about Monopoly?” Poppy suggested.

“That sounds good to me,” Joshua chimed in right away.

“Oh, but that takes so long,” Landon pointed out.

Poppy sighed. “Do you have someplace you have to be tomorrow, baby?”

He opened his mouth and closed it again before saying, “No, I guess not. But we always argue about the rules of Monopoly. The Briar house rules are so confusing.”

“They’re not confusing!” Poppy’s eyes widened as if Landon had just said something egregious. “They’re efficient, designed to prevent the game from going on forever and ever.”

I cleared my throat and tapped her foot with mine, hoping she’d get what I was trying to say without me having to open my mouth. Making the game shorter really wasn’t our objective here, was it?

“However,” Poppy said, all defensiveness leaving her voice, “I am more than willing to accept that in this particular game we will be following the Johnson house rules.”

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