Page 43 of A Country Kind Of Love

“I didn’t think it was in my cards, but now I’ve pulled a queen into my arms. I want a full house built for two. It’s just a stacked deck when I’m with you... our future is bright... you tell methere’s ecstasy in momentslike this.”

It doesn’t flow. Peyton plays with the arrangement. She can’t make the word fit.

Shetries again.

And again.

And then––

“Our future is bright... the luckiest hand is yours in mine.”

That’s it.

?

To resign in chess means your opponent is in a position of such favour there is no other realistic outcome than a loss for you. Peyton can taste the win. She closes in on Cleo’s king, backing it into a corner.

“Check...”

Cleo knocks over the king and clambers around the table, and before Peyton can have the satisfaction of saying “mate”, she’son her back.

“You’re a sore loserthen, huh?”

“No, I just had this urge to kiss you.” Cleo leans in. She smells really good. It’s a scent that Peyton can’t describe, it’s just...Cleo.

“Oh yeah?”

Cleo’s soft lips press lightly against Peyton’s. She traces the line of her cheekbone and nudges her nose against her lips.

“I like you,” Peyton whispers.

She’s caught up in the moment. She’s lost in Cleo’s floppy hair and emerald eyes. She tries desperately not to get ahead of herself. The feelings are heightened. It all feels so real; dare she go as far as to think nothings ever felt so real?

“I like you too,” Cleo responds.

“How much?” Peyton teases. “On a scale ofone to ten.”

“Twelve.” Cleo grins. “Howabout you?”

“Well, the real question is, what’s a ten?”

“I don’t follow.”

Peyton likes things to bemeasurable.

“Well, is a ten like Romeo and Juliet? Or is a ten my old neighbours Martha and Bob?”

“Does it matter?”Cleo laughs.

“Well yeah, I need to know whether you’re going to be fighting off Capulets in my honour, or are you going to come home with a cheap bouquet of dead flowers as an apology for not helping with thehousework?”

Cleo scratches at her forehead. “You’ve lost me.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Peyton rolls over so she’s above Cleo. “All jokes aside, I want to show yousomething.”

A quizzical smile appears on Cleo’s face. “What is it?” She props up onher elbows.

“I think I might haveyour song.”