The other man shook his head. “Gorilla boy?”
She arched a single brow. “Just be glad I didn’t get into their penchant for picking fleas.”
“I usually reserve that pleasurable activity for those closest to me, and right now? You’re closest.” Levi lunged for her and she squealed, scrambling behind Justin. The dark-haired man settled back in his seat, laughter lighting up his face. “Never pick a fight with someone you can’t win against.”
“I’ve got Justin.”
Levi chuckled. “And you think the good doctor can take me down?”
Justin watched the entire interchange with a growing sense of doom. “No need to embarrass Levi, is there?”
“Nice try, Professor,” Grace said on a smile. Turning back to Levi, she slipped her arm around Justin’s waist.
His chest tightened. It was the first time she’d initiated contact just for the sake of contact. Not in a sexual way, not in response to something he’d done. She’d just touched him for the sake of touching.
She leaned forward. “Let me see your hands.”
Levi’s brows drew together but he held out a hand.
Inspecting it carefully, she looked up at Justin and nodded. The amusement in her gaze stole the last of his breath. “Grace.”
“Five bucks and a beer says the professor here can take you at thumb wrestling. One match, elbows stay on the table, no broken digits, play till one of you is pinned.”
“And whoever wins gets a kiss from you,” Levi added.
Justin glared, his fists tightening.
“Deal,” Grace said.
Justin sputtered, unable to find the words to protest.
“You had me at the free beer.” Levi rolled his sleeve up, flexing his fingers. “The kiss was just to make the professor Hulk out. He’s usually the calmest in the group, so this is a treat.”
Justin looked down at her. “A thumb-wrestling death match?”
“Don’t lose,” she muttered. “I’m not buying that free-range gorilla a beer. He’d ask for a pitcher. And I’m not kissing him.”
Justin couldn’t help it. He laughed, long and loud, even as he rolled one sleeve up. “Best reason there is not to lose. Then I’d have to kill the guy, and that would just be awkward.”
He settled his elbow on the table and squared off with Levi. Their joking and laughing had drawn attention, and a small crowd gathered around the table.
“Thumb wrestling?” someone murmured.
“Ten says brown hair takes black hair.”
“You’re on. Black hair has some serious muscle going on.”
Conversation buzzed around them, and Justin found himself unable to stop the smile that had been flirting with the corners of his mouth. “We’re going to get arrested for betting on a sporting event.”
“It was a long, extraordinarily harsh winter, yes, but to get this worked up over thumb wrestling?” Levi muttered, shaking his head. “People should get out more.”