Page 42 of Gary

She shot the stick, and his grin widened when the balls clacked into the opening. All of them.

“Not bad.” He laughed aloud when she sent him a sizzling glance.

“Let’s see what you are made of.”

Picking up his stick, he lined up the balls and positioned himself. The balls went into the slot without much effort. “There.”

“Not bad.” She echoed his words and made him laugh.

“Your turn.”

They continued playing and he realized another thing about the woman he was coming to regard as more than an attraction. She was extremely competitive and fierce about her game.

“We are even.”

“That we are. Ready to call it quits?”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“Another round.”

They were well matched for the last game before going to the Foosball machine.

She was tireless and a sore loser. Her eyes glittered when he got several points. They continued for another half hour, before he firmly called a halt.

“How about a drink?” He suggested.

“We are not…”

“We are.” Moving around the table, he took her hand and led her to the sofa against the window. Leaving her there, he went over to the cabinet, he selected a bottle of red wine.

“Cabernet?”

She nodded.

“We did not finish the tour.”

“That’s reserved for another time.” He poured the wine and handed her a glass. “To ensure that you return.”

Taking the glass, she cradled it between her palms. “I thought you would have rushed us upstairs.”

His eyes crinkled. “That was my original intention.”

“What changed?”

“I needed time to get myself under control.” His eyes darkened as his gaze wandered over her face. “You are quite fierce when it comes to games.”

“My dad…” She took a sip of her wine, her eyes dropping to the hardwood floor. “He was very competitive.”

“You still miss him.”

She nodded. “This is very good.”

He wanted to prolong the conversation, but instinctively knew that she would not welcome anything else regarding that subject.

“There is a wine cellar downstairs.”