“This is kind of like their game Scenes from a Hat,” he explained. “Remember, there’s no pressure to be funny or say the exact right thing. It’s just riffing on a topic and having fun with it. You want to give it a go?”
Her throat bobbed, and she rubbed her hands together like she was trying to psych herself up. “Okay, let’s try.”
He fanned the cards out and held them out toward her. “Pick one.”
She reached out and plucked one from the stack. Her eyes skimmed over the typed words. “Things you can say about your house but not your mate.”
He lifted a finger. “First, approval to be R-rated—yay or nay? I want you to be totally comfortable.”
“R-rated is fine,” she said with a casual wave of her hand, the booze obviously taking effect. Her posture was already looser, her facial tics less frequent. “Have you read my columns? Being shy doesn’t mean I have delicate sensibilities.”
He smirked. “I have. Miz Poppy is definitely not a pearl-clutcher.”
“Not hardly.”
“Cool. Fewer restrictions make it easier to come up with stuff.” He set the cards down on the table at the front and then faced her. “Okay. ‘Things you can say about your house but not your mate.’” He sniffed and made a disgusted expression. “Mine has this weird smell.”
She huffed a quiet laugh. She looked around like she was examining a house. “Uh, mine’s really old but has good bones.”
“Mine’s falling apart.”
She sighed. “Mine really has depreciated in value over the years.”
Jasper crossed his arms and mimed looking something up and down. “I think I need a new one.”
She frowned and pointedly looked down at his crotch, her nose wrinkling. “Mine’s not big enough.”
He grinned. A dick joke. Nice.
He loved that she wasn’t holding back and that he was getting a glimpse of her Miz Poppy side. He leaned closer as if he was telling a secret and waggled his eyebrows. “I like to rent mine out on weekends.”
“Oh really.” She put her hand to her hip and tilted her head, getting into character. “I like to share mine with the neighbors, but only if they don’t leave a mess behind.”
He chuckled, a flicker of pride going through him. “There’s not a lot going on upstairs. But I really like what’s happening downstairs.”
She cocked a brow in challenge. “I like to enter mine through the back door.”
Jasper choked, and then he burst into a laugh. He shook his head and put his hand out for a high five. “You win that one. Where are my pearls to clutch?”
She grinned, ducking her head, and then tapped his palm with his. “I didn’t realize it was a competition.”
“It’s not. But you got me to break the scene and laugh. So you win.” He eyed her. “I think you may be hustling me with this anxiety thing. You’re quick on your feet, Hollyn Darling.”
“Blame the bourbon.”
“Yeah? How are you feeling?”
She pinched her fingers together. “A little tipsy and warm all over but…better. Once I got into the rhythm of the back-and-forth, I was able to forget that I was on the spot. I just wanted to outdo you.”
He lifted a brow. “A competitive streak, huh? That can work to your advantage.” He grabbed the stack of cards. “Let’s do another one then. This time, try to get fully into character and treat it more like a scene. Don’t be afraid to be physical and move around a little. You’ll have more fun, and movement will help your mind not lock up.”
She nodded, expression serious like she was taking mental notes. “Got it.” She pulled another card. Her mouth hitched up at one corner. “Things terrible actors would say to each other in bed.”
He rolled his eyes. “Monique must’ve planted that one. We can do something else.”
She gave him an arch look. “What? Too close to home, Jasper?”
He took in her expression, enjoying the little streak of cockiness the liquor had revealed. Someone was forgetting that she was supposed to be nervous. “Oh, I’m fine. No shame, remember? If you’re game, I’m game.”
She tossed the card onto the table. A wrinkle appeared between her brows. “I’m not sure how we’re supposed to act this one out though.”
“We can just speak it or we can play it like we were actually onstage. Your choice.”
She eyed the space between them. “How would it be onstage?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
She followed him over to the nearest wall and then he sat down, leaning his back against it. He patted the spot next to him. “Join me in bed.”
Her cheeks got a little darker than the flush she was already sporting, and her nose tic appeared, which made him smile, but she joined him on the floor. He looked over at her. “Say stop at any time if this gets weird.”
She gave him a surely-you-can’t-be-serious look. “We did shots and are sitting in a pretend bed. This is already weird. But I hear you.”
“All right, let’s give it a try.” He squinted, tipped his head toward the ceiling, and jostled her slightly to the left. “Move over. You’re in my light.”
“I’m…” She looked confused for a second, then realized he was already playing the game. “Oh. Right.” She gave him an annoyed look. “Cut! That was terrible. Is that what you call a sex scene?”
He paused, wondering how far he should take this but then dismissed the thought. This was improv. No overthinking. He needed to act like he would with a member of his group. He moved toward her and straddled her calves. The bourbon was making his limbs feel warm and liquid, but he was careful not to put his weight on her. He frowned down at her and put his hands on his hips, swiveling a little from side to side. “Can we do that again? I missed my mark.”
He waited a beat, half expecting her to shove him away for taking it to that level. Instead, she surprised him by grabbing a hank of her hair. “Really, Steve? In my hair?” She twirled her finger in the air. “Makeup!”
He almost choked, her comeback dirtier than what he’d lobbed at her. He bit down on his smile and waved a hand in front of her. “I don’t believe you in this scene. Show me you’re enjoying this. I need more enthusiasm.”
“Oh, oh, oh,” she said deadpan.
“That’s all you’ve got? This is your big audition to be my girl, Lorraine.” He bent forward and braced his hands on the wall next to her. “Don’t you know I’m kind of a big deal? I’ve been in three car-dealership commercials.”