Page 110 of Games We Play

Sloan shrugged. “That’s the answer I was hoping for.” She handed Leah her phone back. “By the way, you’re not going to be too busy for me to buy you dinner tonight, are you?”

Leah thanked the Lord for sending her this lunchtime lull. She sidled up next to her girlfriend with a goofy grin that would’ve embarrassed her daughter had she been looking in that direction. “Me? Too busy for you? Why don’t you fly me to Austin while you’re at?”

“Because I’d rather have you right here in Portland.”

Leah giggled. “Good, because Iamkinda tired. It’s been an overwhelming week.” She leaned her head against Sloan’s shoulder. “Averytiring week. I’m really overwhelmed. You have no idea.”

“I don’t, huh?”

Leah clasped both hands around her girlfriend’s arm. “Sooverwhelming. I think I need some private attention, if you know what I mean.”

“Uh huh.” Sloan couldn’t contain the smirk sneaking from her lips. “Paddle or riding crop, my dear? I can’t remember what level you’re at anymore.”

Don’t tease me like that! Not in front of my daughter!Leah lightly shoved her girlfriend before tracking down Gina in the kitchen.

“You two still playing games out there? Because, gross.”

Leah helped Gina lay one of the cakes out on the work table. “You’re jealous because you don’t have a girlfriend as hot as mine.”

“If anything, I’m jealous I don’t have a million dollars at my disposal. I need to get me a sugar daddy. Or mama. Or something. Don’t care.”

Leah laughed. When she had a free moment, she looked out front again and saw Sloan sitting back down at her table, staring at the meet and greet happening on the other side of the bakery. If nothing else, Leah could count on her to watch over Karlie for the rest of the afternoon, if needed.

It wouldn’t be. Karlie instantly connected with Daryl, and he promised to take her to meet his whole family sometime before she went to college in the fall. Sloan stayed for an hour before rushing off to a meeting and leaving Leah to enjoy the rest of her grand opening. After all, she was the star of her own show now.

“Let’s play a game,”Sloan texted her toward the end of the day.“Guess how much I love you.”

Leah finished cleaning off her work station. Gina sold the last Lego cake.“How much?”

“Look outside.”

Leah walked by her friend at the register and approached the front door. The summer evening was still bright and clear for such a late hour, yet from the shadows came a Mercedes that was only slightly familiar.

Sean hopped out of the driver’s set and opened the back door. Nobody sat there, but he motioned for Leah to get in, anyway.

“What’s this?”

“Get in. See where it takes you.”

So happened that was Leah’s favorite game to play.

The End