“I do believe our little Willow’s made her choice.” Mary drew Willow’s attention. “Which one is it? The brunette or the blond?” From her position at the table, Mary was able to watch both men without having to move her chair a single inch.
Looking the two men over once more—only so she didn’t appear too anxious or eager—Willow sighed. As far as she was concerned, there was no contest; the gorgeous brunette would win every time. “The brunette,” she told the women as casually as she could, doing her best to hide her growing excitement.
“Do you remember the rules?” Mary’s glance darted back and forth between Willow and her prey. A knowing smile tilted the corners of her mouth.
Willow nodded.
“We’ll go over them anyway,” Roxy stated. “Rule one…”
Willow sighed again. She didn’t want to waste precious time going over their stupid rules. She wanted to go meet her handsome stranger. “Rule one,” she began in a bored voice. “Make sure he isn’t attached. This is about fun, not starting trouble or intruding on a relationship.”
“Make sure he’s not gay either. What?” Mary looked at Willow innocently when Willow glared at her. “These days you never know. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, but I think it would be a bit embarrassing if Will tried to kiss him and he told her he was.”
“I agree.” Roxy nodded. “Don’t forget to find out if he’s gay.”
“Gee, that won’t be awkward at all,” Willow said sarcastically.
Her sister ignored her. “On to rule two.”
“Rule number two, you have to ask permission to join them. If the guy says yes, you have to sit on your target’s lap.”
“Good. And rule three, the single most important rule?”
“Rule three, never, ever tell a guy about the game. You never tell your prey what is going on and you never apologize,” Willow recited, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “This is a game for women because men have been playing games with us for eons.” Willow could almost see the other two women sitting in the sisters’ living room months before as they came up with this game and the rules. Roxy had just been humiliated by some loser she’d been dating. She’d come home in tears when the guy’s fiancée interrupted their dinner. This game supposedly made her feel better as she and Mary decided it was time for them to begin toying with men. Playing their own games with them.
“See, I told you she was paying attention.” Mary laughed. “Now, let’s get to the good part. I totally think he has on briefs,” Mary predicted, stealing another look at Willow’s choice.
“Nope.” Roxy shook her head. “I’ve seen his type, definitely boxers. They want to go for comfort and letting it all hang out.”
“Commando,” Willow responded breathily when she looked over her shoulder at her target once again. She hadn’t realized she had spoken aloud until she noticed the look of amusement and mischief the other women were giving her.
Her sister’s smile broadened. “You know what that means don’t you, sis?”
“Yes, Roxy, I know.” Willow glanced at her sister, her patented patient look on her face. The one that silently asked, do you think I’m an idiot? Sometimes it was a blessing to have her sister as one of her very best friends. Others it was a curse. She wasn’t sure which category it fell into tonight. After all, if the woman hadn’t goaded her into playing, she probably would have called it a night and left before he entered the bar. But, then again Roxy did just have to open her mouth and add that “ask him if he’s gay” part in, didn’t she?
“And just think, you didn’t even want to come out tonight.” Roxy smirked.
“Well it’s time. Take one last sip of your drink. We’ll be right here if you need us, sweetie, anxiously waiting for every juicy detail,” Mary teased. Her tone grew serious. “If you get uncomfortable at all, just wave and we’ll be over there to help in no time.”
“And let’s not forget the best part of the game. If you kiss, you have got to tell all!”
Willow obeyed her friend and took one final sip of her Alabama Slammer to steel herself for her task. She mumbled thanks as she ignored her sister’s final comment. Closing her eyes she got up slowly, then no longer staring at her sister’s smirk, turned to approach her intended target.
I cannot believe I let them talk me into this. What was I thinking? I can’t do this… I’m going to turn back and tell them I’ve changed my mind. Who cares if they tease me, it’ll be better than making a complete fool out of myself in front of some strange and totally gorgeous guy…