211 Playing games 1

The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was lively but neither Brianna nor Quentin were much in the mood for dinner.

Other than few 'yes' or 'no' responses, Brianna didn't talk, and Quentin spoke briefly only when others included him in the conversation. But with the other four chatting about the upcoming party and that combined with heaps of other patrons and the band and the acrobats taking turns in swaying above their heads, no one noticed the strange energy coursing between Brianna and Quentin.

Once, Brianna and Quentin touched hands accidentally and Brianna dropped her fork when she jolted.

Quentin leaned closer and spoke only for her to hear: "Relax. Why are you so tense? Is it because of me?"

"Absolutely not.", Brianna lied. "I was just caught by surprise."

Quentin didn't want to argue, he turned toward his plate while wondering why is Brianna so stubborn? Even he can see that she is attracted to him, so why is she acting so strangely and pushing him away? Is it because she does not want to date (at all), or because she does not want to date Quentin? He wondered if his approach (to hookup with Bri) was wrong. But the previous method with romancing was a total disaster, and with this at least the tables are turned where he can look at her calmly while she falls apart in his presence.

Part of Quentin thought how this is karma because so many girls wanted to date him, yet he brushed them off, and now that he found a woman who makes his heart race, she is resisting him with everything she's got.

Quentin was never against dating, he just didn't want to tie himself to one woman when he knows that there are so many others out there.

From the chat of the other four, Quentin found out that Bri is staying at Liz's place and that she will head back to New York on Sunday. Of course, Quentin heard about it from Max earlier, but he had to pretend as he hears it for the first time.

After dinner, they went to the place Hunter picked: a local brewery that serves a variety of beers and simple snacks.

Hunter led the way beyond the bar and the tables, straight for the area with three large booths that are situated next to the bowling lanes.

They took the middle booth, and the other two were empty. Hunter explained that he booked the whole area just for them, so they don't need to worry about being disturbed.

By the time their beer samples arrived, they agreed that they will pair up in three teams, but Brianna changed her mind when she observed the bowling balls. She does not want to ruin her nails, and she assured others that she will be perfectly happy tasting beers and enjoying snacks while watching them play. No one was surprised when Quentin said that he will give her company, and Brianna pretended not to care about it.

Liz observed Hunter and Mia who were all pumped up for bowling and Max noticed her lack of enthusiasm.

"Is this your first time bowling?", Max guessed.

"Uhm… yeah.", Liz admitted. "Maybe I should not play. I will drag you down."

"Nonsense.", Max rejected her idea. "I will teach you."

"I believe that you are a wonderful teacher, but look at those two... For them, this is not a casual game and they will make fun of us when we lose."

Max smirked. "IF we lose."

"I don't see how we can win. I don't even know the rules.", Liz said helplessly.

Max didn't see a problem with it. "You take the ball and flick it down the lane, toward the pins. The more pins you knockdown, the higher your score is. You have two throws on each turn."

Liz made a face. "Sure, sounds simple."

"It is."

Liz blinked, unsure from where his confidence is coming. "Are you saying that we can win?"

"Here is a lesson in bowling: you need a steady hand and concentration. If we break one of those for the opponents, we win."

"But we need those also.", Liz reminded Max.

"Elizabeth…", Max said impatiently. "You are a surgeon, don't tell me that your hand is not steady. Your precision will increase with your every next turn and you need to calm down otherwise say goodbye to your concentration."

Liz nodded seriously and took a few deep breaths. She was touched that he has faith in her and Liz's determination not to disappoint Max swelled. "I will do my best."

Max stifled a laugh. "The most important thing is to have fun. This is not a league and there are no rewards or penalties…"

Liz's eyes widened and she stared at Max for a few seconds before speaking: "You are teaching me how to have fun."

Max gave her a light kiss on the lips and whispered: "There are no official rewards, but if you perform well, I will reward you with a good performance when we reach home."

Liz giggled and pushed him away playfully. "You are shameless."

Max winked at Liz, happy to see that she relaxed, and then he turned to Hunter: "This is Liz's first time. I demand that she gets a warmup during which I will explain the game and she gets a feel of the ball."

Hunter didn't see a problem with that. "Sure, you guys warm up. We will be busy with snacks…"

Mia glanced at Hunter in panic and quickly added: "One round only."

Hunter frowned at Mia and when Liz and Max walked away he asked: "Why are you so nervous?"

"Don't you want to win?"

Hunter smirked smugly. "That is a given."

One of the biggest things Hunter and Mia have in common is their competitive spirit. Losing is not an option!

Mia exhaled and shook her head. "Then you shouldn't allow Liz a warmup."

"It's her first time. How can I refuse? Max is good at bowling, but a newbie will impact their score." Hunter saw that Mia's expression is troubled. "What got into you?"

Mia waved toward the lane where Max and Liz are. "Just watch…"

Quentin saw that Brianna is smiling while watching Max and Liz. And that confirmed his previous conclusion: that she is acting strangely only around him, and that should be a good thing. Maybe. He joined her in observing the duo silently.

Max gave few explanations to Liz and then he demonstrated how to do it with a perfect throw which took down all ten pins.

Next, Liz had a go and her ball ended up in the gutter on the left. On the next try, her ball went to the gutter on the right, and her third attempt ended up taking down one pin on the far left.

Max gave few more instructions and then Liz took down five pins to which Max responded with an approving nod and: "Again."

To the four people watching, it was obvious that Liz is improving with every throw in a systematic way under Max's guidance.

After Liz completed about twenty throws (with last three taking down all ten pins), Max waved at Hunter and Mia, indicating that they are ready to start.

"How do you think this game will end?", Quentin asked Brianna when Hunter and Mia joined Max and Liz at the bowling lane.

Brianna was not sure if he is talking about the bowling or about the two of them. "Which game?"

Quentin gestured toward the four people who were determining who will go first. "Is there another game ongoing?"

Brianna will not admit that she thought about how Quentin's question is related to this thing between them. After all, the whole evening he is talking to her normally, without obvious flirting or any other intentions and it's driving her insane. Doesn't he want this to go beyond dinner and a chat in the bowling-brewery? She wondered if she is overthinking it. She reminded herself to act normally and not to show him how his proximity affects her.

"If Max can keep up, Liz will win.", Bri said confidently.

Quentin was happy that Brianna is talking to him and decided to prolong the conversation. "Regardless of the skills Hunter and Mia have?"

Bri confirmed. "Liz is good with her hands, but her strength is in her mind. She is an extremely fast learner. You saw the warmup; her hits are getting better without slipping. I can guarantee that unless Mia does something to shake Liz up, Liz will be unstoppable."

"Are you overestimating Liz or underestimating Mia?"

"Neither. I know them both. Compared to Liz, Mia has the physical advantage, and if this is a game of stamina or strength or reflexes, Mia would win. But bowling is about control and Liz has the lead and Mia knows it. That is why she complained when Hunter approved a warmup."

"It is about concentration also.", Quentin added.

"That is another disadvantage for Mia because she is already riled up. For Mia, it's all about winning and when the game is close, Mia's nerves will get to her.", Brianna responded and gestured toward the game which is starting. "You don't need to believe me."

"It's not that I don't believe you, but what you said sounded like you are describing Max and Hunter. Max is a fast learner and he can analyze any situation and make the right steps to the point of manipulating people while Hunter is more… physical. That is why their dad decided to leave the company to Max.", Quentin explained.

Brianna nodded. "I also think that they are a good match."

Quentin wanted to ask Brianna if she thinks that the two of them are a good match, but he decided to keep that question for himself. He knows the answer and if he brings it up, there is a chance that Brianna's stubbornness will act out again. Like this, at least they are talking.

They snacked on nuts and tasting a variety of beers while keeping their talk focused on the game in front of them.

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