As the night deepened, Nicole collapsed on the couch, her legs stretched out as she scrolled lazily through her phone. Lucas was in the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards for marshmallows to accompany the hot chocolate. Serena, perched on the edge of the armchair, absently traced her fingers along the rim of her mug, her mind wandering.
“Hey, Lucas,” Nicole called out, not looking up from her phone. “Do you still have that ridiculous board game collection? Or are you finally too grown-up for it?”
Lucas poked his head out from the kitchen, a mock frown on his face. “Excuse me? My board game collection is legendary. You’re just jealous you always lose.”
Nicole snorted. “Bring it on. Serena, you in?”
Serena blinked, startled out of her thoughts. “Uh, sure. But fair warning—I’m terri
