Peter apparently had a grudge after the last penalty, because he made Alec squat like he was reading a newspaper on the toilet, which sent Sawyer into absolute hysterics.
That old-socks jellybean must’ve tastedbad.
The game kept moving after that, Rome tossing out faster questions that kept everyone on their toes laughing, and occasionally groaning. Who could survive longer without their phone? I wroteme, Sawyer wrotenot me, and that had Catherine saying, “At least he’s honest,” while securing another win for us. Who was more likely to flirt their way out of aspeeding ticket? Every single person in the room said Rome, who bowed like we’d paid him a compliment.
As the night went on, everyone had gotten a lot more comfortable, and that included the man sitting next to me. We were always touching, whether it was his leg against mine or his fingers grazing my thigh, and it was all so natural that it was hard to remember that none of this had started naturally at all.
No, I’d stepped into a lie, and now I was trying to build something real inside it. Was that even possible?
Rome chose a fresh card, and a devious smirk crossed his face. “Blue markers answer for green. If your partner had to hide one embarrassing item from their bedroom before guests arrived, what would it be?”
Sawyer choked on his drink. “Rome.”
“What?” Rome said innocently. “I didn’t ask what drawer it was in.”
There were groans around the room, and Sawyer looked at me, narrowing his eyes and tapping his lips in thought.
The truth was, he had no idea what my bedroom looked like. That I had a stack of physical therapy journals on my desk or a ridiculously expensive mattress I’d bought after treating too many people with back issues. There wasn’t a single thing in there that would’ve embarrassed me.
Except how bad I could picture Sawyerinmy bed.
Not exactly helpful.
Hudson’s board saidreceipts, which had Drew’s brows knitting together.
“Why would I hide receipts?” he said.
“Because you don’t want me to know what you spent on that limited-edition signed book last month.”
Drew’s mouth fell open like he hadn’t expected Hudson to know about that, but then he lifted his chin. “That was aninvestment.” Then he revealed his answer—Nothing. I have no shame—which earned them the regret bowl.
“Your penalty is this: Drew gets to choose your song, and you have to enter the room like you’re entering a championship fight.”
Drew’s eyes lit up, while Hudson shook his head and said, “Nope.”
“Should’ve guessed right,” Drew said, turning to Rome. “Do you have ‘I’m Too Sexy’?”
“Oh God. I hate you.”
“You love me.”
“Unfortunately.”
Thirty seconds later, Hudson entered the room to Right Said Fred with a scowl on his face that had the room dying. Even Catherine was wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.
Sawyer was practically melted into my side laughing, and as for me? I was gone. Completely gone.
Because this version of Sawyer—happy, breathless, red-faced from laughter, eyes bright—was impossible not to want more of.
Catherine and Lily had both agreed that their Venetian cherub lamp from a trip to Italy needed to go, and then it was our turn to find out what embarrassing thing Sawyer thought I was hiding.
His answer?A secret twelve-step skincare routine.
My brows shot up and I laughed.
“This has to be it,” he said. “Look at your face. That doesn’t happen by accident.”
“Uh, thank you?” I turned my board around.Old running shoes I refuse to throw away.