Page 48 of Love is a Game

“Well, have a good night, man,” Tyson said, patting Andrew on the shoulder. “Try not to get into any trouble.”

“No promises. I’ll see you later, Sadie.”

“Yeah. We can get to work on that application when I get back next week.” She wanted to say more, but not in front of Tyson. “Thanks again for letting me stay so late.”

Andrew held the door open for them. She wished she knew what he was thinking, but his face held no clues. “Anytime,” he said as she walked past him.

When the library doors closed behind them, she heard the locks slide into place. Once they were out of sight of the building, Tyson knocked Sadie’s arm with his elbow.

“I sure hope I wasn’t interrupting something in there,” he teased, his boyish grin glowing in the darkness.

Sadie rolled her eyes. “Tyson, I think you’re more of a busybody than my mom is.”

He laughed and didn’t deny it. “Really though,” he said, his tone turning serious. “You could do a lot worse than Andrew. He’s a good guy.”

Sadie crossed her arms to block out the chill of the evening air. The spell of the warm library had broken as soon as she walked outside and she was filled with confusion. Had she truly wanted Andrew to kiss her, or had she just gotten caught up in the moment? It didn’t really matter either way, because he hadn’t done it. She thought about her offer to help him with his application and felt a sudden pang of doubt. Was that all the night had been about?

“I’m only in town for a few more weeks,” she finally told Tyson, looking down at her feet. “I don’t care how many single cops or librarians or firemen Julie might have lined up for me; that’s not what I’m here for.”

“All right,” Tyson said, holding up his hands in surrender. “All I’m saying is, you two looked like a couple of kids caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar back there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your cheeks so red.”

Sadie narrowed her eyes at him but he smiled. After a moment, she let out a heavy breath through her nose. “Please don’t tell Julie.”

Tyson wiggled his eyebrows at her. “No promises. Drive safe, Sadie.”

Chapter Sixteen

“So while they were getting the fire under control, Marks and I go looking for these missing people, and we find them sitting in their office still working like there’s nothing happening. I’m like, ‘Do you hear the fire alarm? What are you doing?’” Kimura spoke in animated tones. “Turns out they were mad that no one warned them there would be a fire drill so they decided not to evacuate the building!”

Webb laughed. “Man, half our job is rescuing people from their own stupidity!”

Andrew stood with Tyson, Julie, Webb, and Kimura, listening to their stories and trying to laugh along with jokes that probably would have made more sense if he were a first responder. The backyard was slowly filling up with people, but there weren’t very many that he knew, so he was keeping close to Tyson and Julie.

Tyson looked at his watch. “I’d better get some meat on the grill.”

“Do you need help?” Julie asked.

“No, I need you to stay here and keep an eye on these troublemakers,” Tyson said, kissing her on the cheek before walking away.

“Okay, who’s up for a game of cornhole?” Kimura asked, rubbing his hands together.

Julie raised her hand hesitantly. “I’ll play, if someone doesn’t mind being on my team.”

“I’ll be on your team,” Webb offered.

“Are you sure? I’m not very good.”

Webb grinned. “That’s okay, Kimura’s not very good, either, so we’ll be evenly matched.”

“Whatever.” Kimura turned to Andrew. “You gonna help me put this upstart in his place?”

Andrew hesitated. He wasn’t really in the mood, but maybe a game was just what he needed to take his mind off things.

Not things. Sadie. All day his thoughts kept returning to her. Why had he hesitated the night before?

Of course, if he hadn’t, who knew what Tyson would have walked in on. Still, it probably would’ve been worth it. She had looked so relaxed sitting there beside him, and when he moved so their arms touched, she hadn’t pulled away. He had been testing the waters, and the fact she let his skin rest against hers should’ve been all the information he needed to go in for a kiss.

He definitely needed a distraction.