Page 36 of Maxwell

“You never asked. And don’t act innocent. You were way too excited to play the shooting game, and you beat me good. Which makes me suspect you’ve played that a lot.”

“Not just the game. I’m a pretty good shot in real life. I used to go deer hunting with my granddad in Virginia. We made chili, cheeseburgers, casseroles... ugh. I got tired of venison.”

“Hunting. I would have never guessed. You’re full of surprises.”

“My dad didn’t like it, but my mom’s side of the family...” She shrugged. “That’s what they did. I don’t hunt anymore, but I go to the gun range to stay sharp. I got my first gun at twelve. Twenty years ago.”

“You’re thirty-two.”

“That’s right. I turned thirty-two last month.”

“I’m twenty-nine.” He stroked his chin. “You know, I’ve never dated an older woman.”

“You’re not dating one now, either. We’re friends, remember?” Jasmine reminded him.

“Oh yeah.” Maxwell nodded slowly, his gaze remaining on her. “Right.”

“When do you turn thirty?” Jasmine asked casually.

“July fourteenth. I’ll make sure to send you an invitation to what will be an exceptional party.”

“Make sure you do.”

“You have to come alone, though. You can’t bring Nicholas Tight Pants.”

“There you go, acting like a jealous hater again.” She glared at him. “How about we get something to eat?”

“Good idea. All this winning has worked up an appetite.” Maxwell patted his belly.

Jasmine rolled her eyes and marched off toward the food counter.

Chapter Fourteen

Initially, Jasmine put up a fight, insisting she would pay for her own food, but Maxwell effectively shut her down and covered both of their meals.

Trays in hand, they walked toward a high-top table near the back.

“I haven’t been here in so long I forgot how much fun it could be,” Jasmine said. “Makes me wish I could have a setup like this at my place, but I don’t have the money or space for a man cave like your friend’s dad.”

“You can buy handheld retro games.”

“Hmm. I never thought of that. It’s not exactly the same, but I think I’d like that. I should look into it.”

They sat down and spread out the loaded fries, mozzarella sticks, sodas, and hamburgers before them.

“I can’t believe you eat so much,” Maxwell remarked, biting into one of the mozzarella sticks.

“I have a high metabolism. My sisters are all the same way. We take after my mom, although they’re all tall, and I’m...”

“Short?” Maxwell supplied.

She glared across the table at him. “Not tall. Anyway, you know I have three sisters, and they’re all doctors. What about you? How many siblings do you have?”

“Six.”

“Six?” Jasmine exclaimed.

Maxwell nodded. “When my parents got married, they each had three kids. On my mom’s side, I have two sisters and a brother. On my dad’s side, three brothers.”