Eternally Hers

Part Fifteen

​Arabelle Warren

Jamie sat on the opposing side of the coffee table in the living room, glancing at the ten cards in her hand, and then peeking over them to stare at the pile with the cards facing up on the table.

​She hummed to herself, looked back at her own cards, and then picked up a card from the face-down pile, placing a card from her hands into the right-side-up one.

​I looked at the ace she'd just put down and back at my own three aces, stifling a grin. I picked up her discarded card and put down a 4 I had that I didn't need anymore, looking at her for her to go.

​This continued for another minute or so before she placed all her cards on the table, grinning victoriously at me. "Gin!"

​I scowled ruefully at her while she snatched my cards from my hand and began to shuffle all of the cards, sitting back.

​"How are you so good at this game?" I grumbled, "you didn't even know how to play it until an hour ago!"

​Saoirse had another writing deadline tomorrow morning, so she was cooped up in her study trying to finish her material on time. I had gone for a run when I woke up – she'd woken up much earlier than I had – and then I watched a random movie on Netflix with Lola, but I'd gotten bored, so I invited Jamie over to hang out while my mate worked relentlessly in her study.

​Jamie ran over and had spent the past two hours at our place. I made us lunch and then we decided to play cards. We'd settled on Gin and I taught her how to play, and while she had lost the first couple games, she'd beaten me at least half a dozen times in a row.

​"I know my cards," Jamie replied back eventually, giving us each ten cards before placing the rest of them on the coffee table. "I'll start," she said, and then flipped one of the cards from the pile over.

​Glancing over my own cards, I decided I didn't need the one she'd flipped, and picked up a card from the face-down pile, discarding one of my own.

​While it was Jamie's turn, I turned to Lola, who was lying on the couch directly behind my head, and I pet her. She purred but didn't open her eyes, and I turned back when Jamie coughed for my attention.

​After five minutes, I placed my cards on the table, grinning at her. "Gin."

​She huffed, "You bi-"

​The front door slammed open and a frustrated looking Dot stormed in. The noise the door made as it hit the wall earned both Jamie and I's attention, and even Lola looked up to stare at the witch, who had a threatening scowl on her face.

​When her eyes fell on me, she urged, "Where is Saoirse?"

​Of course, Saoirse had heard the commotion from her study, so she was in the room by now, standing at the entrance of the hallway. We all turned to look at her.

It was perhaps not the most appropriate time to check her out, but I couldn't help it. Even in a pair of plain black leggings and oversized beige crewneck, she still looked stunning.

​Her hair was in a ballerina bun on the top of her head, some stray strawberry locks framing her face. Taking in her expression, I immediately knew she was distraught, and most likely confused.

​"What is happening, Dot?"

​Dot grinded her teeth, looking murderous. "It happened."

​What the fuck was it?

​Of course, being her best friend, Saoirse knew exactly what Dorothy was talking about. If her face could have paled, it would have.

​"What do you mean it happened?" She pressed, "I thought you were keeping an eye out?"