Chapter 1: Exposition
Emma flopped back down on her couch with a dramatic sigh, nursing her almost empty margarita glass. "Three years," she muttered to herself and took another sip.
Sarah looked away from the blank screen of the TV, giving her friend a sideways glance. "We didn't realize you were that invested."
Lily sat forward on the fluffy pink rug, gently bouncing her crossed legs. "It's got to hurt, huh?"
"No kidding," Emma replied, staring into the ice cubes floating in her drink.
"It was like he thought we were just having a casual hook-up all of a sudden. I still can't believe he had the audacity to break it off during dinner. Like holy shit, dude! We shared a goddamn life for three years!"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Langdon's an ass, but he's not stupid enough to disrespect you like that."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "You really think so?
The way he was talking last night, I could have sworn he was trying to sabotage our relationship on purpose." Emma Curveball's eyes flared with anger as she finished her sentence. Curveball's hands tightened around her nearly empty margarita glass, gritting her teeth at the thought of her ex-boyfriend.
Lily's laughter filled the air, floating merrily around the Curveball's warm, inviting living room. "Whatever Langdon is thinking, you should be worrying about how you are going to get over him, hun.
He's made it pretty damn clear he doesn't want to be with you anymore," Lily said, before taking a sip from her glass.
Emma glowered and then downed the last of her margarita. "I know, I know. I just - it was such a surprise, ya know? I mean, we were planning to move in together, for fuck's sake!"
Sarah scoffed. "Right, like that was ever going to happen.
I guess it's for the best, though. I mean, look at us," Sarah said, gesturing towards the group with her drink. "If we can't make it work, how the hell were we ever going to survive married life together?"
Emma shrugged and chewed on her lip. "I guess you're right," she sighed, dropping her gaze to the empty margarita glass in her hand.
Lily leaned forward on the rug, grinning. "Hey, cheer up, Em! Remember that bag of kinky treats I bought last week?
Lily asked, retrieving the unopened bag from her purse, her sparkling green eyes held the answer that Emma had been searching for.
Emma's heart raced, eyes wide with anticipation as her pulse quickened. Sarah raised an eyebrow, and then her eyes followed Lily's to the bag. Her mouth formed an O.
Lily grinned wickedly.
Lily's eyes lit up with excitement and anticipation. Why don't we make our game night more interesting by spicing it up with a little mystery?
Emma's breath hitched. Sarah looked at them both with raised eyebrows, but remained silent. Lily waggled her eyebrows suggestively and sauntered over to where Emma sat on the couch. She leaned over, pressing her lips to Emma's ear, and whispered, "Let's play a game, Emma. A twist on Strip Poker.
At first, Emma blinked with confusion, but then she realized what Lily was insinuating. Her cheeks flushed, and she scooted closer to her friend, leaning in toward her eagerly.
Sarah raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, smirking. "What kind of game are we playing?"
Lily produced the unopened box from her purse once more and shook it lightly, revealing the delicate, golden game pieces nestled within. " I'm not completely sure," she said, batting her eyelashes. "But a stranger said it should be life changing."
Emma's voice was so low it was almost a whisper.
The three friends exchanged glances, their eyes twinkling with intrigue. Lily leaned back, breaking eye contact with Emma and Sarah. She then opened the bag, producing one of those golden wrappers.
As soon as Lily freed the board game from its bag, Emma read to the logo on fronts EROTIC TREATS, it read, in bold, red font. And illustrated on the front was a half-naked couple, entangled in a sensual kiss.