Page 64 of Robbin’ the Rich

"You keep doing the same move," she said.

"Because it should work."

"Clearly it doesn't."

I groaned. Robin laughed so hard she nearly dropped her controller. The sound echoed through the living room, warm and bright and entirely too satisfying. Somewhere during the last few weeks, I'd become addicted to making her laugh. It was probably unhealthy.

I selected a new character. Robin selected the same one she'd been using all morning. A woman who apparently existed solely to ruin my self-esteem.

"You play video games like you do roller derby."

She glanced over. "What does that mean?"

"You're ruthless."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

She sent my character flying off the edge of the map.

I sighed. Robin cackled, and the game continued.

Somewhere in the middle of getting thoroughly humbled, I realized how much I was enjoying this. I enjoyed the game, the company, and the way Robin had completely taken over my couch like she'd always belonged there.

The conversation drifted naturally between matches. Neither of us seemed in a hurry to be anywhere else. Robin tucked her feet beneath herself and stole half my blanket. At some point, she wandered into the kitchen for more coffee and returned with snacks she hadn't asked permission to take. She’d already made herself at home.

By early afternoon, the laundry buzzer sounded from downstairs.

Robin paused the game. "Aw."

The disappointment in her voice made me smile.

"You can stay."

She looked over. For a second, something soft flashed across her face.

Then the sarcasm returned. "Careful there, Micah. You're starting to sound attached."

If only she knew.

I headed downstairs to retrieve her clothes. Robin pulled a warm hoodie from the basket and buried her face in it.

"Much better."

"No more campfire?"

"No more campfire."

She folded the last shirt before looking over at me.

"You know..."

The expression immediately made me suspicious. "What?"

"I have a bout tonight."

My answer came before she finished the sentence.

"Yes."