Page 38

“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 yourgame.”

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