Page 52 of Oblivious

I do love Addy, but we’re a long way from that sort of commitment. Sure, we’ve been living together for several years, but as friends, not as a couple. We know all each other’s bad habits, hopes and desires, the things that make each other laugh or feel better. But marriage?

Blair clicks his fingers in front of my eyes. “Wake up.”

“Huh? I’m not asleep.”

“Just away with the fairies, then?”

I roll my eyes, then finish shuffling the cards and deal them. I look at my cards and Joe sniggers.

“That bad, huh?” he asks.

I scowl at him. I’ll figure out this poker face thing one day, but not today. We talk as we each take our turns. I already know I can’t win, so I half-heartedly go through the motions for a few turns before folding and offering to get everyone more drinks. I’ve just started on everyone’s requests when Max joins me.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, I just suck at poker, but there’s nothing new there.”

He chuckles. “That’s true.”

I’m guessing he’s not asking about my poker hand, though. “Thanks for the advice. It was really helpful.”

He smiles. “I’m glad. Are you feeling a bit more relaxed about things now?”

I take a breath and press my hands onto the kitchen counter. “Yeah, yeah, I am. I’m still nervous, but that’ll pass.”

“It will,” he agrees confidently. “I’m sure you had first-time nerves when you started dating girls.”

I laugh. “Yeah, but I never thought I’d have to go through it all again.”

“Is it worth it?”

I look at the door that leads into the hall. Max closed it, but the door to the dining room must be open because I can still hear everyone laughing and joking. I can’t pick out words, just voices. Addy’s voice warms my heart and makes me smile.

“Yes. Very worth it.”

I grab the last of the drinks that everyone wanted. Max helps me carry them through to the dining room, where we hand them out just as Joe wins. He grins so widely as he rakes in his chips that you’d think he’d won some money rather than pieces of plastic.

“Shuffle and deal, Fitzy,” he says. “I’m going to clear you all out before the end of the night.”

“You can try,” Max says.

Joe whispers something into Max’s ear. Max’s eyebrows rise, and his eyes get big.

“Are you cheating?” Stephen asks Joe.

“What? How?”

“I think he’s cheating,” Stephen says to Sophie.

She nods sagely. “I think so too.”

“I am not,” Joe grumbles.

“Then what did you say to your husband?” Stephen asks.

“None of your business.”

Everyone looks to Max, whose face goes bright red. He holds his hands up and shakes his head.