Although it wasn't the weekend, the arcade was still packed. At the customer service counter, a long line of people waited to load up their cards and exchange cash for tokens.

Gordon and Caitlin were among them.

They'd been waiting for about ten minutes by the time they reached the front of the line.

"Hello, sir. How much would you like to load onto your card?" The attendant greeted Gordon, then quickly explained the special bonus promotion.

Gordon pulled out his debit card. "I'd like to load a thousand dollars."

The attendant's smile brightened. "You get a three-hundred-dollar bonus with that amount."

"Swipe it." Gordon handed over his card.

Within moments, they were given a basket overflowing with shiny tokens.

The arcade boasted every kind of game imaginable.

Caitlin had rarely visited places like this before. Now, every game she passed seemed to catch her interest. She ran ahead to try things out, while Gordon trailed behind, covering the costs.

As they passed the claw machine section, Caitlin spotted a couple playing together. The guy was deftly maneuvering the joystick, while his girlfriend stood by with a shopping cart, picking out the prizes he snagged.

It was clear the boyfriend was a pro-every time he aimed, he scored. The girlfriend's cart was overflowing with plush toys, drawing admiring glances and gasps from everyone nearby.

Caitlin couldn't help but watch, tugging Gordon's arm. "Look how amazing her boyfriend is! He's won so many toys!"

Amazing?

That was all it took to impress her?

Gordon was not about to let Caitlin praise another guy.

"That's nothing," he scoffed.

Caitlin laughed. "Nothing? Gordon, don't exaggerate!"

"Seems my girlfriend doesn't really know me yet. I never exaggerate Gordon grinned, balancing the token basket in one hand and slipping the other am around Caitlin's shoulders.

They were close-so close that

Gordon could catch the subtle, fresh scent that lingered on Caitlin's skin. It was crisp, like bamboo and wildflowers so much more alluring than any artificial perfume

He looked at her, warmth lighting up his dark eyes.

He'd imagined moments like this so many times before.

He couldn't quite believe it was finally real.

Caitlin arched an eyebrow and glanced back at him. "Actions speak louder than words, Mr. Sylvester. If you're really not exaggerating let's see what you've got."

"Game on," Gordon replied, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his strong forearm.

"Catie, just tell me which one you want—I'll win it for you."

Caitlin approached the claw machine. "I want that little pink pig."

Gordon pointed to a plump pink pig plushie inside the machine. "This one?"

She nodded, smiling. “That's the one."

Gordon dropped five tokens into the slot and took control, lining up the claw with expert precision over the pig. He hit the button.

Clank!

The claw dropped perfectly onto the pig and hoisted it up.

Watching the pink pig dangle above the chute, Gordon's lips curled into a confident smile. He shot Caitlin a look. "Well, Catie? Am I impressive or what?" He barely finished when-

Thunk!

The pink pig slipped from the claw, falling just a few inches short of the prize chute.