And what could he do? Luke was supposed to be just another player in the game. He’d already come close to screwing things up a few times tonight by being too aware of specific details, like who Julia’s friends were. Luckily, Julia had accepted his excuses, but he needed to be more careful. Right now, best to take a step back. He’d deal with Zach’s behavior later.

While he’d been distracted, the subject of live action role-playing had come up. Luke caught the thread of the discussion as Patrick and David were explaining how Notting Hill was the latest of many role-playing adventures they’d done.

“Are you both professional LARPers?” Carrie, the dark-haired girl, asked.

“I wouldn’t say we’re professional.” Patrick shook his head. “Nobody is paying us to do this.”

David grinned. “At least not yet, anyway.”

“I didn’t know this kind of thing existed until a few weeks ago,” Julia admitted. “This is my first one.”

“Are you all first-timers?” Patrick asked, glancing around the table.

“Not me,” Carrie—what was her real name? Andie?—said. “I’ve done a few on the weekend, like at a campground or something. Nothing too elaborate.” She leaned forward. “How many games have you participated in?”

“Let’s see…” Patrick tapped his fingers on the table. “There was the manor estate in Poland, that castle in Romania—”

“Really?” Bridget asked. “Romania?”

“Yep.” David lowered his voice dramatically. “That one was vampire themed.”

“Cool.” Carrie’s eyes were glittering with excitement.

“It was,” Patrick agreed.

“It was scary as fuck is what it was.” David shivered. “I still have nightmares.”

“What else…” Patrick wrinkled his brow in thought. “Oh, the pirate one in Bermuda was fun.” He winked. “Lots of rum.”

“I can’t believe there are so many.” Julia shook her head, her face awestruck.

“What was your favorite?” Bridget asked.

“Ooh, good question.” David rubbed his jaw. “I’d say it was a tie between the court of King Henry VIII we did outside of London and the Camelot one. The costumes were incredible.”

“Not like this one, huh?” Julia added.

“I don’t mind the simplicity, actually.” David shrugged. “It’s much more comfortable getting to wear your own clothes. Easier to pack, too.”

“Is that so?” Patrick teased good-naturedly. “Then how do you explain the three suitcases you insisted on bringing?”

“What about you?” Julia turned to Patrick. “Which was your favorite?”

“My favorite was the first one we ever did together.” Patrick reached for David’s hand and squeezed. “Just a little group, about half a dozen of us or so.”

“What was the theme?” Luke asked, genuinely curious. He’d like to have a chance to talk with these two some more and pick their brains on a few things.

“Dragons,” Patrick said in a dramatic whisper.

“Ooh,” Andie breathed. “I’ve always wanted to do one that was based on Tolkien.”