Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I want that to be the kiss that never happened, but I know she’s talking about the game.
“If she doesn’t roll a five, the game goes on,” he notes.
I walk over to the table, pick up the dice, and let it drop from my hand on the center of the board. It tumbles and rolls three times before it stops. I smile when I spot the five.
Since William handed me the blue crown game piece before we started, I slowly slide it over five spots until it lands on the last circle on the board. It’s the winner’s circle.
“She did it again!” Hildy claps her hands together. “No one is better than Opal.”
I look up to see William nodding slowly as he stares at me. “She’s the best.”
Hildy finishes her water and rounds the bar. “I’m going home. I’m sorry I interrupted your evening. I wanted to stop by and take it all in.”
“Take what in?” Confused, I look into her eyes for understanding.
“What you’ve done with this place.” She glances at the mural before her gaze wanders over the hundreds of board games lining the shelves. “Mark my words, Opal. You’ve created a community hub here. People will meet their best friend inside these four walls, and they’ll solve their differences with someone they thought was their enemy.”
“I hope so,” I whisper.
“Lovers will cross paths here.” Her gaze darts from my face to William’s. “You know what they say about a rousing board game.”
“Did you say a rousing board game or arousing board game?” William follows that with a laugh.
Hildy laughs, too, grabbing hold of the corner of the bar to steady her feet. “If my first boyfriend hadn’t passed away, he’d have a story or two to tell you about the board game we played.”
I’ve heard that story more than once from her.
“What was the name of that board game?” William encourages her. “I bet I’ve heard of it.”
He hasn’t.
“Hildy and Rory’s Ten Rolls to Bliss.”
I hold in a laugh while I bow my head down.
William chuckles. “That’s a new one for me.”
“It’s a new one for everyone but Hildy and Rory,” I whisper.
“Not really,” Hildy chimes back in. “I rebranded it to Hildy and Hugh’s Ten Rolls to Bliss during freshman year of college, and then Hildy and Louie’s Seven Rolls to Bliss was the game of the summer after I graduated.”
“Seven rolls?” William asks.
“Louie was a sight to behold.” Hildy looks up at the ceiling. “I couldn’t bear to wait a full ten rolls of the dice for him to make his move on me.”
William’s gaze catches mine before he glances at my great aunt. “I get it.”
“So did I.” She winks.
His hand leaps to his chin as he laughs. “I think I’m going to leave you two to catch up.”
“Absolutely not,” she protests. “I’m the one who interrupted your game.”
The extra emphasis she puts on the last word is obvious and wholly unnecessary since we didn’t even kiss.
“I insist,” he says as he yanks his suit jacket off the chair. “Thanks for the game, Opal.”
“I’m open to a rematch,” I blurt out, even though it’s code for I’m open to that kiss that almost happened.
“We’ll talk soon.”
That’s about as noncommittal as it gets, but since the gift-giving ball is once again in my court, I’ll be able to orchestrate at least one more encounter with him.
“It was good to see you, Hildy.” He takes her hand in his and lightly kisses the top of it before he directs his attention solely at me. “Thanks again, Opal.”
“Thank you for everything,” I say.
He leaves me with a smile so warm and inviting that I feel as though I’ll melt from the inside out. He walks out, and it’s then that I realize I’ve been holding my breath while watching him leave.
“I ruined your night.” Hildy sighs. “Please forgive me, Opal.”
“You ruined nothing,” I lie because she did arrive at the precisely worst possible moment in time. “Give me a few minutes to tidy up here, and I’ll get you home.”
22
William
Sitting in a bar a few blocks from my home is not the solution to my problems. I hoped it would be, but any answers to the fucked up predicament I’m facing won’t be found in this glass of scotch.
This is my second since I sat down. I downed the first in one gulp to relieve the excruciating frustration I’ve felt since Hildy showed up at Turquoise Crown and interrupted what I am certain would have been the best kiss of my life.
It’s not lost on me that she also saved me from what would have been a major mistake in my career. Falling for a woman that a client wants is stepping over a boundary I swore I’d never do.
I’ve never had a problem avoiding the temptation because I’ve never met a woman who has captivated me the way Opal has.