Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Alexander
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” I adopted a long-suffering tone as Rudy opened the door to the back stairwell at the ballet school.
“You enjoyed last time.” He laughed at my complaining, as I’d known he would. I’d done my usual post-performance moping around all week, and Rudy had done an admirable job of distracting me.
“I did.” Pursing my lips, I made a show of conceding. Little did he know that there wasn’t much I wouldn’t let him talk me into. A Friday night game night with his play group was the least I could offer.
“And there will be peppermint mocha whoopie pies.” Rudy smiled encouragingly as he picked up the collection of bags at his feet.
“You had me at dessert.” I relieved him of a reusable shopping bag with two presents wrapped in reindeer paper peeking out the top. “But what’s with the wrapped gifts?”
“Our annual gamer-related white elephant gift exchange. I forgot until Troy texted earlier.” Rudy followed me out into the icy night. The snow on Wednesday had been a light dusting, but all the forecasts kept predicting a white Christmas. The air certainly smelled crisp, making my senses tingle with memories of snow days as a kid.
“I’ve never done the whole secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange thing.” I frowned, back to being unsure about this whole evening.
“I figured.” Rudy used a soothing tone. “And I didn’t want you to stress. I knew you didn’t have unwanted dice or extra cards lying around, so I wrapped two pre-constructed decks I have duplicates of to be our contributions.”
“Kind of you.” I sniffed, not sure whether to be grateful or put out by how easily he managed me. I held up the bag in my other hand. “I did remember it’s a potluck. I brought a cheese tray from the deli.”
“Excellent.” Rudy grinned at me as we walked toward the game store. “See? Cheese. Desserts. Gifts. This will be fun.”
“I still say we could make better use of staying in.” I needed to get a few more grumbles in.
“I’m sure.” Rudy was nothing if not affable. “If you’re really miserable, we can leave early after the gift exchange before the games.”
“And miss my chance to beat Troy again?” If I had to go to this party, I was going to pick up a win or two on my way out the door.
Apparently, that was the right answer because Rudy beamed, street lamp glinting off his glasses frames and making his brown hair appear more reddish. “Told you that you were looking forward to this.”
He playfully stuck his tongue out at me, which served to remind me exactly what said tongue could do. Sadly, we were in downtown Hollyberry, where many people who knew our mothers were likely lurking. The threat of gossip proved an excellent kissing deterrent. I’d enjoyed our outing to Evergreen the other night, where I could hold Rudy’s hand and flirt over dinner and pretend for a few hours that we were an actual couple, not the briefest of flings.
Troy let us into the game store, where we were quickly greeted by Ari, who was wearing a green velvet ballgown with white fake fur trim. She looked like she’d stepped out of a Victorian Christmas card.
“Rudy!” She greeted us both with hugs. “And Alexander! You returned.”
“Love the costume.” I returned the hug, careful not to crush her gown or jostle her gold crown. Across the room, her girlfriend was similarly attired in her seasonal finest, and I had no doubt both had brought their empress decks to play. “Very festive.”
“Thank you.” She accompanied us to the already crowded snack table, where I found a space for my pre-made cheese tray. Rudy added some cute mini gingerbread cupcakes from the bakery near the ballet school. Ari snagged one before pointing me toward a bowl filled with a dubious green substance. “We brought some kale and sesame butter dip if you’re looking for something healthy.”
“And I brought fudge if you’re not.” Mr. Davis, the third-grade teacher from the elementary school, was quite possibly the last person I wanted to see that evening.
“You play Odyssey?” I didn’t try to hide my skepticism.
“Occasionally.” He gave a friendly shrug. “Troy’s son is in my class, and I stopped in the other afternoon for a Christmas present for my nieces and wound up with an invitation to game night.”
“Chris is great at using games in the classroom to engage the kids.” Troy ambled over. Knowing Mr. Davis’s first name didn’t make me feel any friendlier toward him. “He’s one of the most popular teachers.”
“I’m sure.” My voice came out a little too frosty. Rudy gave me a stern look, so I added a tight smile. “We need more talented teachers.”
Lies. The last thing this town needed was more game-loving teachers with crushes on my Rudy. Of course he wasn’t technically my Rudy, but I glowered nonetheless.