Page 72 of Gamebreaker

My body betrayed me with a blush. “I’m capable of growth."

"Recent evidence supports this claim." She was smiling warmly now. "You've grown at least three emotional increments since I met you. Very impressive."

"Three whole increments?"

"Maybe four, if we count tonight."

"What happened tonight?"

"You smiled at me. Multiple times. Without looking like it physically pained you."

"Smiling at you doesn't pain me."

"It used to. You'd smile and then immediately look like you regretted having a face."

I laughed, actually laughed, and watched Harper's expression light up with victory.

"There it is! A real laugh! I'm keeping score, you know. Smiles, laughs, moments of genuine human emotion. I'm building a comprehensive database."

"That's concerning."

"That's thorough."

"I don't know whether or not I should be worried."

"You should definitely be worried. I'm very observant. I notice everything." She leaned forward slightly, and I caught another hint of that citrus perfume. "For instance, I noticed that you looked for me when you came off the court after that steal. Just for a second. Like you wanted to make sure I'd seen it."

Heat crawled up my neck. "You noticed that?"

"I told you. I notice everything." Her voice dropped slightly. "Including how you're looking at me right now."

"How am I looking at you?"

"Like you want to say those thoughts you're keeping internal."

"I do."

"So say them."

And then we talked.

An hour passed in a whirl. I don't remember ordering another whiskey, but suddenly there was one in my hand. Then another. Harper switched to wine at some point, her cheeks flushing on her gorgeously smooth brown skin and making her even more beautiful.

We talked about everything and nothing. Basketball and insurance claims, and her little brother Jordan, who she missed desperately. My family in Providence and how my mother kept sending me care packages of Italian food like I couldn't cook for myself. Her college years and my time at UConn.

But mostly we talked in the spaces between words. In the loaded pauses and knowing looks. In how Harper's hand would drift across the table toward mine, and this time, I let my fingers brush against hers.

The touch was electric.

She didn't pull away.

The alcohol loosened a reality in me. Made me braver. Made me forget why I needed to be careful.

"You know what I noticed tonight?" I said, my third whiskey making my tongue loose and reckless.

"What?"

"You have this expression when you're actually interested in what's happening. You lean forward and your eyes get really focused, and you stop checking your phone."