Page 5 of Let the Game Begin

“Not really. I’m here as a favor for my mother because she made such a big deal about trying to get me and Matt to reconcile, though I think that’s unlikely to happen,” I said and took a look at what would be my new room. I approved of the bright colors and the restrained furnishings—luxurious but not ostentatious.

In the center of the room there stood a four-poster bed with a tufted headboard, embellished with a cascade of pillows in all shapes and sizes. A mirror with gold-leaf accents adorned a vanity covered with perfumes, makeup products, and creams of all varieties. One entire wall was dedicated to bookshelves, each shelf strung with bright, decorative lights that gave it a particularly chic vibe.

“Just give it some time, Selene. Everything will fall into place,” Logan said and I turned to look at him. In his eyes, I saw a clear understanding, even though we didn’t really know each other at all.

“You’ve got one of the best rooms,” he declared before clearing his throat and glancing away. “For two reasons,” he added, giving me a sly look.

“Which are?” I noticed the desk, then the white velvet seat where I would probably put my clothes or my bags. The room was truly every girl’s dream.

“Reason one,” he raised an index finger as he moved toward the French doors that opened onto a huge balcony. “You have a view of the pool.” He opened the doors, and I approached him slowly, taking in the incredibleexterior panorama. The rectangular swimming pool was located to the left of the house, near a Mediterranean garden with an ample variety of colorful plants, each one unique.

“And the second reason?” I cocked an eyebrow while I tried to hide a shy smile.

“Your room is right across from mine.” He gave me a mischievous wink and grinned.

Though I did not feel threatened by him for whatever reason, I still wanted to set him straight. “Don’t get any funny ideas. I’m not that kind of girl,” I answered tersely, even as I put on a cheerful expression to make myself appear less harsh.

“Mmh…then this room could be a problem for you.” He smiled sarcastically with a strange gleam in his eyes.

“Why?” I asked curiously.

“Because the room next door is Neil’s,” he answered, amused, but I still didn’t get his meaning.

“Who’s Neil?”

“My older brother,” he said immediately, and it was only then that I remembered Matt telling me aboutthreechildren.

“And why should that worry me?” I continued questioning him, undaunted, while he shook his head, mocking me.

“Get some earplugs,” Logan answered cryptically. Then, he simply winked and walked away.

***

I tried to make myself feel comfortable for a change by giving myself time to take a hot shower and put on clean clothes. Though, inside, I could feel the usual annoying sensation of rising anguish that I knew wasn’t leaving me anytime soon.

About an hour later, I joined Matt and Mia promptly for lunch. Everyone had already taken their seats, and I quickly sat down next to Chloe, who just continued to text without paying anyone else the slightest bit of attention.

“So, Selene, I know you’re starting at Pace tomorrow. You’ve already completed your freshman year, right?” Mia immediately tried to makeconversation but to no avail, naturally, as I wasn’t in the mood to chitchat with my father’s girlfriend.

“Yeah,” I answered indifferently, immediately cutting off the exchange. Logan was sitting in front of me, constantly looking at me with a smile I couldn’t decipher. Maybe he liked my excessive candor?

“Where’s Neil?” my father asked, pulling our gazes to him.

“He’s probably out with his friends,” Logan muttered with a shrug. Anna, the housekeeper—whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I got lost in the immensity of these new spaces while trying to make it to the living room—was roaming around the table making sure that everything was just as the master of the house had requested.

“Or screwing somebody,” Chloe added with a cheeky smile on her face.

“Chloe!” her mother scolded while my father shook his head uncomfortably. I turned my attention from Anna back to Matt and sank into the whirl of my thoughts, reflecting on the absurdity of the situation. Him sitting at the head of the table with his family and me, a total stranger, showing up just to please her mother and trying to salvage a relationship that she already knew was unsalvageable.

Nevertheless, lunch continued with Mia repeatedly trying to make small talk with me while Matt seemed particularly tense.

“I’m going to hang out with Carter,” Chloe said suddenly, leaping to her feet.

“You haven’t finished your lunch yet.” Matt’s authoritative voice surprised me; he had never taken that tone with me.

“I know, Matt, but he’s already there. We’re going to the mall and then the movies. I promised him.” Chloe argued her point sweetly, as though he really was her father, and she owed him that kind of respect.

Air.