Playing His Game

el'

Friday evening at the diner where I work

kshake with a side

beit a short one, as his op

of the menu," I respond, o

rstool at the counter where

though," I add w

loser, showing no discom

my favorite sweet nothings once again:

s are nearly brushing against min

uggest you refrain from being too cheeky.

s milkshake and step out from behind the counter to serve it wh

using me to flinch at his unexpected touch. He swiftl

emarks, feigning innocence despite t

e responds with an exagge

ange for a group of boys, who appear

m, as they seem to react as if I am the first girl they have encountered.

hem just one seat away from Michael . Michael , sipping

r and hand the teenage

e to drink?" I inqu

to the drinks sec

lies hastily, accompa

so overtly contrived that it

on, prompting me to excuse myself

rly fond of catcalling or simil

fore quietly advising, "Y

e an e

hormonal teenage boys?" I

ses me wi

feeling several hands brush against mi

his arms around two of them as if they were armrest

pting to steal my girl

cherry coke stamm

beautiful?"

slightly; the jerk ju

she's your girlfrien

l 's p

of that

Michael inquires, giving me a wink as he

ll and tuck it in

dule," I respond playfully,

to find Michael and his motorcycle waiting

ning, Mis

ake me, feeling no apprehension in his presence. Although Mi

I reply lightly, climbin

ble as ever," he retorts

as he mounts the

I inquire, watching Mic

, guiding my hands to

tic about the party atmosphere. The sensation of alc

o the road; the journey is unexpectedly brief, and he bri

in front of a children'

mness of the night, genuinel

ed I would at least show up for the cake,"

children, making our way to a sizable ta

rly woman and greets her w

in a gentle voice, markedly

ly tousles his hair befo

et me see this fortunate young lady," she e

d offer a hesitant wave, not anticipating an

t to clarify, but M

friend earlier tonight, which is why I was delayed,

ecalling that our arrangement was

leaps into Michael 's embrace, remini

Michael remarks, nearly struggl

eaturing the number eight, signifying that he

the boy, who turns to me

getically hops out of Michael 's hold, stil

e you?" he inquir

," I r

kes hi

hael 's girlfriend, c

ckling the young boy before adding, "I've got m

much Luca had pestered Michael

ainst my leg and glance down to

her mid-thirties say

baby bump and appear

irl into his arms and plan

r," he instructs, as if the y

ichael , revealing a familial resemb

igh regard. "I could also use some assistance as the due date for the little boy approaches,"

Sofia to her previous position, prompting

tables away, only to have Michael redirect my focus back to him. He guid

otion," he says, offering

ily brings out th

omed to such lively gatherings," I respo

I decide to shift

ficially datin

ses, and he shru

but it amounts to the same thing," he r

ly. Michael , you are deceiving them. They appear to be genuinely nice people, and I would hat

ating, "We are deceiving a few

, casting him a

ning and join me in dancing to the Kids Bop that is playin

en area and places h

to matrimony. Relax," he remarks

arms aroun

en I am with you. You leave m

is

e next, you are a true gentleman," I res

d, choosing to sit beside Sofia's mother, eager

him. After a few minutes, he finally moves and rejoins his family, adding a small

of opening his presents, and soon after, guests

eet you, Essel," his gr

se," I respond wi

heard someone refer to her as Clar

" she insists, wrapping h

ack outside, where the temperature h

draped over

riend to catch a chill," Michael

small smile in

ow, aren't you?" I inquire, hoping he w

eart," he responds, as

my house, with Michael

; I believe she was starting to lose hope in

ith a shake

ould ever give up on yo

, his rebellious de

emaker," he admits, ca

I assert, convinced that solu