Jamal looked at her. He was quiet for a moment. Then he sighed.
"When I lose, part of me starts thinking about what I could have done better. What I missed. What I should have noticed."
"It was only a game, Jam. A game with friends. It was supposed to be about having fun and enjoying the moment."
"I know."
"Then why does it feel bigger than a game to you?"
"I don't know." Jamal rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Are you disappointed?"
Dawn moved closer. "No. I'm not."
"Are you sure?"
Dawn was quiet.
This whole time she had seen his confidence, his strength, and how he took control when things went wrong.
But tonight, she had seen something else. A man who did not know how to accept defeat without turning it into a judgement about himself.
It reminded her of the way he had behaved when he had the argument with Mila.
He seemed to want to be perfect in every way.
"Jamal."
He looked at her.
