Chapter 199
Even after more than two hours of their last game, Gordon still didn’t feel satisfied.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Luckily, Caitlin wasn’t ready to call it a night either.
According to the rules of chess, the winner gets the first move, so this time, Caitlin was playing black.
She played with an easy confidence, placing her first piece right in the center of the board.
Gordon raised an eyebrow, amused. Every match with her was a new experience —she always found a way to surprise him.
Having figured out Caitlin’s tactics from their last round, Gordon was especially cautious this time, carefully considering every move before he made it.
Caitlin, for her part, was just as focused. She’d managed to win the previous game because Gordon hadn’t seen through her strategy, but now, facing him again, she knew she couldn’t rely on the same tricks.
Time ticked by. For both of them, the world had shrunk to the chessboard and the challenge between them. They matched each other, move for move, neither giving an inch.
It was a clash of titans-every turn was a battle, every capture a calculated strike. Anyone who understood the game would have been riveted just watching them.
An hour passed. Then two. Then three.
From three o’clock in the afternoon all the way to seven-thirty in the evening, the fight raged on. The board was a battlefield, and still, victory hung in the balance.
Caitlin had never played a game for more than four hours before. This was a first, and she relished the thrill of it.
As they played, Caitlin nibbled at desserts, sipping clean, aromatic tea whenever she was thirsty. She felt completely at ease.
She was just about to take another bite of cake when Gordon, his graceful fingers steady, placed a piece on the board. His voice, rich and warm, followed.
“Catie, thanks for the game p>
Her name, spoken by him, had an inexplicable charm.
Caitlin blinked, glancing down at the board. Only then did she realize she’d lost.
Lost? Someone had actually managed to beat her? It seemed impossible.
She’d let her guard down. She couldn’t believe it.
Caitlin arched an eyebrow and called his name. “Gordon p>
He looked up, his dark eyes intense, almost ink-black in the lamplight.
No one had ever addressed him by his full name before. Caitlin was the first, and surprisingly, he liked the way it sounded.
Whenever she spoke his name, something fluttered in his chest—a strange, electric thrill that was both unfamiliar and deeply pleasant.
Caitlin continued, “Another round p>
It was rare to find a worthy opponent; she wasn’t about to leave after just two games. Now that she’d grasped Gordon’s style, she wanted a real fight. “Of course,” Gordon nodded.
He felt the same way. It wasn’t often he found someone who matched him so well, both in conversation and on the board. He wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity.
A person’s chessboard reflected their character. Through these matches, he felt he could understand Caitlin a little better.
And so, another fierce battle began.
Before they knew it, it was eleven at night. Four games in total-two wins for Caitlin, two for Gordon. A dead tie.
She pushed back from her chair and stretched. “Gordon, I had no dea you were this good at chess p>
Stretching usually looked awkward, but for her, it was natural and oddly captivating.
“You’re incredible, too,” Gordon said, brewing a fresh pot of tea. “Honestly, you’re the best player I’ve ever faced p>
Very few people could hold their own against Gordon; Caitlin was the first.
She glanced at her phone. “Too bad it’s already eleven. Otherwise, I’d love to go another few rounds p>
Gordon smiled, his voice low. “We have plenty of time p>
She nodded. “You’re right. There’s always next time p>
Gathering her things, Caitlin slung her purse over her shoulder. “Let’s go grab something to eat. I didn’t feel hungry while we were playing, but now that I’m up, I’m starving p>
“Sounds good,” Gordon replied.
They left the private room, Caitlin leading the way, Gordon just behind.
By eleven, most restaurants in the city had already closed their doors. It was the perfect hour for street food.
Caitlin hadn’t had a late-night snack in ages-her last one had been a month ago. She turned to Gordon. “What do you feel like eating? My treat tonight p>
“I’m not picky p>
“How about street food?” Caitlin suggested. “I know a little barbecue stand nearby. At this hour, there’s probably already a line p>
If you want proof a place is good, look for the queue-especially one that never seems to disappear. Caitlin’s favorite spot was always packed, no matter the season, and tonight felt like the perfect chance to revisit it.
“I’d love that. I actually go for street food on my own all the time,” Gordon replied without missing a beat.
“Perfect, let’s go p>
Gordon reached into his pocket for his car keys. “I’ll go get the car. Wait for me at the door p>
“Hold on.” Caitlin instinctively grabbed his arm.
He paused, caught off guard, and glanced back at her.
She explained, “Parking’s a nightmare over there. Let’s just walk-it’s not far.” “Sure,” Gordon agreed.
The summer night air was soft as they strolled side by side beneath the sycamore trees. Caitlin laughed at something Gordon said, dimples flashing at the corners of her smile. Suddenly, Gordon stopped and looked over at a row of bikes parked along the curb.
“Catie, how about we ride there p>
“Bikes?” Caitlin repeated.
“Yeah,” Gordon nodded.
She shook her head. “I never learned how to ride a bike p>