“Old ladies can do whatever they want,” Ben said. “It’s not an insult.”

“I’ll give you my grandmother’s recipe for ambrosia salad, and then you’ll be halfway to full old-lady-hood,” offered Lia.

Ben clapped her on the shoulder slightly too hard. “I’ll be unstoppable at potlucks.”

“God help us if you figure out how to make doilies.” Gem laughed. “I’m good with playing Smash and eating. What are you doing tonight?”

“I could eat,” said May, eyes never leaving Gem. “And if any of you lose to Ben, I’m kicking you out.”

Devon snorted. “Should I leave now, then?”

“No, I’ll teach you,” Lia said. “After I win a few times.”

“You two can sneak off later. I’ll teach you how to play,” Ben said, rubbing his hands together. “Come on.”

The inside of the guesthouse was one room with a kitchenette and attached bathroom. Lia dropped into an old beanbag, and Devon fell onto the couch behind her. May and Gem talked about the gym and other things Lia couldn’t quite hear until they all started playing “Pictionary but better” as Ben put it, and Lia didn’t have the heart to correct him. Devon was a terrible drawer but Lia was excellent, and he wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her up and off the couch to keep her from beating him again. She landed half in his lap, face to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her so that she couldn’t move her hands to draw. She laughed into his shoulder.

She wasn’t used to playing group games. It was nice.

Lia knocked Devon’s chin with her forehead. “Free me.”

This was so much better.

“Not a chance,” he said. “You should have to draw with your toes. It’s not fair.”

His grip loosened during the next round. She leaned across his lap, her head on the arm of the couch and his arms resting on her stomach. She glanced up at him and caught his eyes on her. He looked away.

He lost that round, too.

“All right,” Devon said. “I have to take a break. This is terrible for my ego. Prince is a monster.”

An odd little thrill threaded its way through Lia’s belly. She was good at this, and she was finally getting to show that off. Devon didn’t seem to really mind losing, though. “I could use a break, too. Want to walk around?”

“Yes!” May slipped from the couch to the floor next to Gem. “Finally someone else can have a shot at winning.”

Devon shrugged and helped Lia up from the beanbag. They wandered outside into the backyard, their path lit by fairy lights. Devon didn’t let go of her hand, the soft tug of his fingers leading her to a lit alcove full of lavender stalks and mums. He sat on a little stone bench and Lia sat next to him. The cold crept between them. Lia scooted closer to him.

Devon curled his arm around her. “Okay?” he asked.