Chapter 6

Six

LUCY

During my short time spent in London, it feels as though every experience is new, but at the moment, I find myself in a very familiar environment. Growing up with a large family who spent most of their time together at game nights, we all became a little competitive…well, very competitive, actually. While I have been able to keep that side of me at bay since my new group started our game nights, tonight, with Henry’s presence, I worry that covering it up will prove to be quite the problem.

Henry is the first to take his seat at the large round table that allows for poker games on one side and a flat surface for board games on the other.

We’ve only exchanged pleasantries until this point in the evening, but as I pass him to find a seat at the opposite side of the table, he pulls out the chair next to his and says, “Here.” He meets my eyes with a challenge in his gaze, intensely watching and waiting to see if I will take his direction. Never one to back down, I sit quickly and thank him .

Perhaps he has a plan to win the game by distracting me with his good looks, and he does look exceptionally well in those dark jeans and black Henley.

Nope, I will not be distracted. I must remember his personality.

Mia picks the first game since she is the current winner, and she goes with Finn’s suggestion of Uno. I may have downplayed my skills in a few games the last time we played.

As the cards are being dealt, Henry takes the opportunity to lean in, engulfing me in his intoxicating cologne. Every inch of my body tingles as I inhale the woodsy scent. It has been far too long since I’ve been this close to a man. This is unhealthy. He’s like a weapon.

“Have you ever played before?” he asks with slight condensation.

It was on his suggestion that I sit beside him, which in Uno terms also means he is directly in the line of fire to receive my draw two and draw fours. “Yes, I’ve been playing with everyone here since joining their game nights, and it’s quite enjoyable.” Not a lie, but I withhold my years of experience, watching for tells in those I am playing against. He will learn that even if I can’t guarantee a win for myself, I can be sure to save all my draw four and draw two cards for him.

The smug look on his face tells me he is now certain that I will not be a real threat in this game, and he moves his attention to the cards he was dealt. Of the first five games played, I don’t win every game but make sure he always loses with a handful of cards.

Coincidentally, Henry suggests a game change soon after, and we move on to trivia, yet this is a team game. Of course, the couples pair up and leave Henry and I to be partners. While Oliver and Finn are setting up the board, Henry and I make our way to the kitchen to top off our drinks.

“May I?” He holds his hand out for my glass. I oblige his kind offer. “You’ve played Uno before…” He guesses as he pours my white wine with his sleeves pushed back to his elbows.

Distracted by the view, it takes me a moment to answer, “Yes…for years.”

“And our next game, should I assume you have all of the trivia answers memorized as well?” His forearms are on display filling his short glass with whiskey.

“Sadly, I do not.”

“Should I try to arrange a partner trade? Or are you hoping to switch so you can be sure I lose yet again?” He looks at me with a weary look.

“Please, don’t hold back. Continue sharing how deceitful you think I am,” I scoff.

He looks so good tonight .

No, I need to be diligent and not think better of him solely based on his physical appearance.

He follows me back to the table and pulls my chair out for me. These manners are something a girl could get used to but I must remember, he’s just being polite. He leans forward to say, “Oh, I don’t trust you at all—I thought that was obvious.” He returns to his seat next to mine. Thankfully, I’m able to contain the shiver his close proximity encourages.

“Do we need to separate the two of you?” Oliver asks with a stern look at his father .

Henry answers, “Not at all. Stay partnered with your love. I’m sure Lucy and I can endure each other’s company for the remainder of the evening.” I can’t help but let my eyes roll as I take a larger-than-normal drink of my wine. At this rate, I may need a refill before we have a chance to answer a single question.

It is our team’s turn to ask a question to Finn and Mia, Henry takes the card and begins to read. I lean my head slightly in his direction to check for the correct answer. Without looking up, Henry puts his arm around the back of my chair and brings his hand and the trivia card between us. I feel a smile creeping on my lips at his kind gesture but halt the action before anyone else can notice. Even after Mia answers correctly and Henry discards the card, he doesn’t move his arm from behind me.

It must be the wine causing my serious lapse in judgment, but I am finding myself enjoying his closeness far too much. As each turn passes, I become less focused on the trivia and more so on Henry’s close proximity. If I turn too much, it could appear as if we are snuggling like a couple. I can’t have that. I don’t need to look like one of the many women who fall all over him, but as the game continues, the distance between us grows naturally smaller. I should know better, but I do nothing to stop it.

During our final opportunity to answer a question, my shoulder is against his side. My wine glass sits on the table, only half finished, and I realize I can’t even blame that for my actions.

“Our answer is C.” Henry’s voice is firm with complete confidence.

“It is not!” I exclaim louder than is needed, but I’m not going to lose this game on a question I am absolutely certain I know the correct answer. We both sit up straight to argue face-to-face.

“Excuse me?” he asks as he places his glass on the table.

“You’re wrong.” It’s that simple, and the rest of our party begins to make taunting sounds at my confidence.

“I am not wrong. I believe as Europeans we know a little more about our history than what they teach in the States. Isn’t your country the one who glorifies the act of dumping tea in large bodies of water?”

Why must this man be absolutely awful?

He’s so much more attractive when his mouth is closed. Not that I would have a shot with him if he were a good person. I am very much not his type.

“Fine, go ahead. Use your answer, and then the loss is on you.” I turn to the room, “You are all here to witness.”

“Our official answer is C,” Henry says directly to Mia, who still holds the card in her hand.

As he does this, I pull out my phone and send a quick message to the group chat.

Lucy

The correct answer is B.

Mia starts to shake her head as Finn, Oliver, and Hannah pull their phones out to check the message they just received. “The correct answer is…B.” She gives my partner a sympathetic look, “Sorry, Henry.”

“You’re joking, Mia.” He laughs in an annoyingly sexy way.

“Nope.”

She hands him the small trivia card, and I begin to stand. I’m not sure where I get the courage, but as I begin to leave the table, I stop behind Henry’s chair. I rest my hands on the back of his chair while he faces away from me, still looking at the card. Leaning close to his ear, I whisper, “Looks like you owe me a coffee, at the very least. Sorry, you lost the game.” Before he can reply, I move into the kitchen while I call for a cab and then assist with the cleanup.

“Ellie, I’m telling you, the man hates me.” My kind friend always assumes everyone is flirting and in love with us.

“I don’t know. You said he sat with his arm around you the other night.” I guess that’s a best friend’s job, to try and make the best of things that are bothering us.

“He had his arm around my chair…not me,” I clarify. “Also, we’ve run into each other twice since that night. The following day, when I ran to the coffee shop, he was sitting at a table by himself. I know he saw me. We looked right at each other, but then, when I began to say something, he put his head down. Message received.” It is clear then that his politeness will be limited to when his family is around…and that doesn’t bother me at all.

“Maybe he’s just shy because his feelings for you are getting so strong!”

“Ha! Yeah, that totally explains the interaction we had yesterday when we saw each other at the library. I think he was so startled he only spoke to end the conversation before it began. He was leaving the library and continued on his way after a ‘have a good day’ and let the door close in front of me.”

“I’m sticking with him being nervous.” Ellie stays firm. Something is getting lost between our international phone call. If she were here, witnessing Henry’s indiscretions, she would understand what I’m trying to tell her.

“Yes, the super famous playboy of London is very nervous around me, an online college professor whose only local friends are his sons and their partners,” I say with a huff as I stretch out on my bed.

“Well, he doesn’t live there, right, so you don’t have to endure him much longer. Just try to avoid him.”

“Do you think that will really help?”

“No, I think it will make you mysterious and make him fall even more in love with you. ”

“Thanks, Ellie…on that note, I think I’ll get some rest. Enjoy the rest of your day!”

“Sweet Henry dreams!” She hangs up before I get a chance to argue with her. Ellie is a constant supporter of love and all things romance. I suppose I am too, but certainly not with Henry.

I haven’t watched any of Henry’s adaptations of Jane Austen’s work since meeting him. I’m too worried it will somehow alter the films or perhaps alter the way they make me feel. Still not having the nerve to do it, I grab a book instead.

What more can a girl want than to fall asleep with Captain Wentworth…