Page 11 of Restless Ink

“Since Adrienne brought it up. There’s eight of us now. Shep jumped on the chance since Shea usually kicks his ass on trivia and he wants her on his team. Plus, he probably wants to size up Dimitri.”

“Why would he want to do that?”

“Because of the lingering looks you and he gave each other over his cheese.” Roxie smiled, her eyes full of laughter. Thea shushed her.

“Shut up. He’ll hear you.”

“Meh, he should know what he’s getting into when it comes to being with the Montgomerys.”

“There’s no being, no circling, nothing to keep a watch out for or size up. Now, once again, shut your mouth and go give Dimitri a beer. He likes the amber ale I have in the fridge.”

“Of course, you know that.”

“Because he was married to my best friend, Roxie.”

Her sister gave Thea a sad look then kissed her on the cheek. “Got it. For now. But we’re still playing teams, or we’ll be here all night playing Pictionary because Shep holds a grudge.

Thea laughed then, wine in one hand, and went to bring out Dimitri’s cheese plate—after stuffing a slice of buttery brie into her mouth.

Dimitri tilted his beer toward her. “Thanks. You remembered.”

“It’s my favorite too, so I had it.”

“I know.” He smiled. “Now, let’s see how the Montgomerys play.”

“You’re going to regret you said that,” Mace said with a laugh.

Carter visibly shuddered before crossing himself.

Thea just grinned. “Game on, partner.”

Chapter 5

Thea knew she’d had one too many glasses of wine by the time her family walked out of her house to their waiting drivers. All of them had opted to use Lyft rather than drive, and for that, Thea was grateful. Hell, she was glad all she had to do was clean up before going to bed. No one had made too much of a mess, and everyone had helped clean up some of it already, but she just wanted to sleep.

Of course, one person had stayed behind to help her, and now she wassureshe’d had too much wine. She was tipsy, not drunk, and much too warm to make any good decisions. So, she wouldn’t make any.

“You don’t have to stay, Dimitri.”

“I’m helping you clean. You might be able to push your family out because they’re going to host soon, but you can’t push me out.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “How drunk are you? Should I be calling you a Lyft, too?”

He shook his head. “I had a few beers and will schedule my own Lyft. I like that we all did that instead of trying to risk it. Makes me happy that you all think ahead.”

“We don’t drink together that often anymore and, apparently, that final game of Twister sent us all over the edge.”

Dimitri snorted. “I still think you cheated on right foot yellow.”

She gasped. “Liar. I didn’t cheat. You fell. You don’t have the moves to twist, Dimitri. Just let it be known.”

“Cheat.”

Her face warmed, and she went right up to him, tilting her head back since he was so much taller. “What? I could beat you again, and we both know it.”

He held up the board and casually flicked the spinner. “Prove it.”

“Just the two of us? I don’t think so.”