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Chapter 1: Games

Melissa

In the cool darkness of the selass in front of me and consider my journey, how many steps I’ve taken in the last two years, how far I’ve colass The shaes of my mind like the whisper of a bad dreaer make sense in my world

Young woh on the dance floor, but instead of resentment, my lips curl into a smile My old self—cynical, bitter, defeated—is a memory I have to work hard to recall These days I could dance all night with thes

The sli a sip An involuntary wince pinchescitrus dragged down by the heavy undertone of whiskey So gross

Sliding hs, I realize irls’ on the dance floor The deep red silk is fitted at , dark hair is swept over one shoulder revealing a thin spaghetti strap I lightly touch the delicate gold chain aroundheart pendant that sits between old cuff on my wrist

Unlike that night alo, I’m alone My best friend Elaine isin that blissful honeye Make that,I know those tell

No, I ca ton, spending the weekend with his grand er, but I have no wedding band

At thirty-two, I’m an une a thing Yet The tiny silver scar at e looks like, and with e at the beach I own, I’m satisfied with my life Calm, not desperate I’ll take my next steps deliberately, with certainty

All these thoughts preoccupyly blue because of the way they stand out beneath his dark brow, coupled with collar-length thick dark hair

He’s antly dressed with a thick stainless watch on his wrist I can spot his type awhat he wants I can’t deny the huaze sets off under my skin I knohat he wants

Catching rin, I knohat I want, too, and it’s no coincidence I happened to look up at that exact moment to meet his stare Still, I’ll make him work for it

He starts tomine I don’t look away either Thick cords of lides past the oblivious patrons talking and laughing So their ar their drinks in peril

Yellow lights hidden in the recesses above the bar illuminate rows of liquor bottles in all colors and shapes Glasses hanging upside down above also catch the flickering light It’s a raucous atmosphere, but thisand desire

As he rounds the final corner, and I see him in full, my breath quickens My eyes drift frorey slacks and black shoes, then back up just as he reaches me A close beard shadows his face, and the ht of how it feels brushing the soft skin of hs

“Can I buy you a drink?” The low vibration of his voice touches every part of ne surrounds me

Casually, I her compared to his

“You don’t like it” A tease twinkles in his eyes, and I alet my line

“How can you tell?”