Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(70)

“Too competitive?” He cocked a brow, admiration showing in his eyes.

“Not really.” She considered his question. When she’d been younger, she’d been very good at team sports. That drive had shifted over the years. “Actually, I think I’ve grown too used to fighting my own battles.”

“And rescuing others, apparently.” He gave her a scowl that was as playful as it was reproachful. “Let me clue you in, though. Blade can take care of himself.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She frowned, realizing he was right. Why hadn’t she trusted him more while they were playing?

He grew somber as well, and she feared he was going to ask again if she was all right. She didn’t want to talk about her mixed-up emotions. She wanted to have fun. Fortunately, his concern vanished. “Before we have a second round, how about a drink?”

“I’d love one.” When he rose and headed for the kitchenette, she followed him. His apartment impressed her just as much today as yesterday despite the clutter she hadn’t noticed before. The scattered magazines, a dirty plate on an end table, and shoes kicked into the corner gave it a lived-in look. “God, I love this place!”

“You mean that, don’t you?” Luc looked at her as if she were a strange, yet wonderful beast.

“Well, ye-ah. What’s not to love?” They’d spent the first hour at Vortal Headquarters in the arcade gallery, with Chloe holding her own against the guys. The real fun, though, had started when he’d brought her up to his apartment to finally let her play Vortal. “It’s like a giant playhouse.”

He stared at her in wonder.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

“I just never expected this from you.”

“What did you expect?” She cocked her head to study him.

“I don’t know.” He filled two glasses with ice. “For you to scoff, I guess.”

“Luc, do you know how lucky you are to have this?” She waved an arm to indicate his whole world. “You make a living playing games.”

“No.” He chuckled as he poured bourbon. “I make a living creating games. It’s actually a lot of hard work.”

“Yes, but you’re doing something you’re passionate about. That’s really rare.”

“You know what?” He nodded, as if truly hearing her words. “You’re right. I don’t think I’ve appreciated that enough.”

When he handed her the drink, she took a sip and choked.

“Do you want anything with that?” He frowned.

“Do you have any cola?” she breathed.

“Of course.” He grabbed a can from the fridge and added a splash to her drink. “Better?”

“Much.” She sighed in pleasure, not just with the drink, but with how the day had gone. The pig roast had been beyond amazing, until the last few minutes with Adelaide had brought too many strange emotions near the surface. She still puzzled over the odd encounter. Playing Vortal had given her the reprieve she’d needed. “I wish I’d discovered gaming earlier. Now that I have, man, it’s totally addictive.”

“So, you’re up for another?” he gave her a challenging look.

“What time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Oh good Lord, how did it get to be so late? I should probably go back to my grandparents’ house.”

“If that’s what you want.”

“Of course it’s not what I want.” She’d rather return to Pearl Island. Or stay right where she was.

“Can I tempt you to stay a bit longer?” He pulled an unmarked pizza box from the fridge and opened it toward her.

She started to groan, thinking that after the feast they’d had that afternoon, she shouldn’t be hungry, but hours had passed since then. Then she noticed the pizza in the box.

“Hey, this looks really good,” she said, eyeing the half pie topped with a variety of vegetables. “And surprisingly healthy.”

“Yeah, our chef does a good job.”

“Your chef?” She lifted her eyes to stare at him. “You have your own pizza chef?”

“He makes other things. In case you didn’t notice, everyone who works here is a guy. A single guy. Without a chef we’d either starve or have to subsist on a diet of pure junk food. That stuff corrodes the brain.”

They moved to the sofa where she sat cross-legged, taking up a slice of pizza. “Wow, even cold, this is awesome.”

“You should try it hot out of the pizza oven.”

Silence stretched between them as they ate, but she could feel him studying her. “What?” she finally asked, looking at him. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing.” He hesitated. “I’m just surprised that you picked the world of Wizards and Warriors over High Seas.”

“Playing games is all about escaping, right?” She took another bite. “High Seas is too much of a reminder of Pearl Island. I wanted something different.”

Rather than keep things light, her words made him frown. “I hate that this business with the necklace has made you feel as if you don’t belong there.”

“It’s not just the necklace. It’s everything,” she stressed, then sighed. “I just feel like Pearl Island isn’t really my place.”