Chapter 79

Sarah's

pov.

The evening started with a quiet, tense mood that I was determined to shake off. Richard had been distracted ever since his old associate, James, had shown up out of nowhere with some vague warning. I could see it in his eyes-a darkness, a worry that gnawed at him, even though he tried to hide it behind a calm face. I wanted to pull him out of it, just for a while. "Let's play a game," I blurted out, grinning and hoping he'd get into the spirit.

He looked up, confused. "A game?"

"Yes, a game. Something simple, fun." I grabbed a stack of cards from the living room drawer. "Come on, when was the last time we played anything? Besides, I'm feeling pretty competitive tonight." Richard's mouth quirked into a small smile. "You're challenging me to a game night?"

I leaned in, waggling my eyebrows. "Scared?"

He chuckled, finally giving in. "Alright, bring it on. What are we playing?"

Half an hour later, we were knee-deep in cards and dice, with the coffee table covered in snacks.

I could see his tension melting away, replaced by that playful side of him I loved. I held my breath, ready to roll for my turn, when I noticed him sneaking a look at my cards.

"Hey! No peeking!" I smacked his hand, laughing.

"I was just... assessing my opponent," he said, shrugging innocently.

I rolled my eyes. "Assess all you want. I'm still going to win."

We played round after round, laughing and tossing playful insults back and forth. It felt like we were two teenagers again, just enjoying each other's company, with no one else in the world.

and his warning. But every so often, I'd catch Richard glancing toward the door or out the window,

at me," I said softly, reaching across the table to take his

fingers and then back up at me. "Sorry," he muttered, shaking his head.

know," I said, squeezing his hand. "But whatever it is, we'll handle it together,

could see a bit of the

squeezed his hand back,

into one of those endless nights of laughter. Richard had relaxed completely

from earlier was gone, replaced by the

victory speech?" I teased, stretching

"I'll let you have this one. I don't think I

as he packed up, feeling a surge of

time," he shot back, his eyes

seriousness.

brushing crumbs off my lap. "We'll

leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.

bed, I couldn't sleep, and I found

had evened, I snuck up to work. Zoe had

reports, smiling contentedly, we chatted, with her telling me about the events in Madrid, and to be honest, I've missed Madrid. But my life is with

and handsome in contrast to

And why did Rochard

finished up with the work with Zoe and headed back

***

my mind still drifting back to last night. It was

way to the kitchen, the memory of James's strange words

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