cmk418 | OZ fic

For the

1_million_words prompt- "You think so highly of yourself, don't you?"

An after-work gathering featuring Sean, Claire, & Tim

Sean threw the dart at the board, and whooped as it hit the bulls-eye.

“You think so highly of yourself, don’t you?” said Claire.

“Nah, that’s Tim’s deal. I’m just good at darts.”

“Well, you’ve wiped the floor with most everyone here. Are you ready for some real competition?”

“Yeah. Who’s that?” he said with a smile.

“Asshole,” she replied. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

“See that bulls-eye? I think I know.”

“Just get your dart out of my way.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Sean, retrieving the dart from the board.

With her first toss, she missed the board completely and the dart bounced off the wall. The second didn’t even make it to the board, arcing harmlessly onto the tile.

“Still waiting for that competition, Howell.”

The third flew out of her hand and just missed Tim McManus, who was flirting with the bartender.

Claire started to move to retrieve the darts. Sean stopped her. “You’re a menace,” he said as he picked the darts off the floor from their various resting places.

“So, you don’t want to play again?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t exactly call that playing.”

“Five bucks.”

“I’m not taking your money.”

“I’ll do it,” said Tim, sauntering over.

“Nah, that’s okay,” Claire said. “The thrill is gone.”

“I’ll put up twenty.”

“To my five? That hardly seems fair.”

“Not when I take your five,” Tim said.

Claire smiled at Tim. “You’re on.”

“Ladies first.”

Three bulls-eyes had Claire smiling sweetly and collecting twenty dollars from McManus.

“You think so highly of yourself, don’t you?” Sean said.

“I take my moments when I can. Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Sometimes it’s nice to see these things play out. I was just glad I wasn’t the one you decided to hustle.”

“I’ve got other plans for you, Murphy. All in due time.”