Floored

Paolo was relieved at Sofia’s poor aim. One IOU clawed back. This was silly but he would humour her.

His relief was shattered when Sofia, who had used the first attempt to get her eye in, turned out to have an extremely good aim. One by one, all the remaining nine rings encircled their target. Each ‘click’, as ring after ring collided with the previous, contributed to Sofia’s delight and Paolo's humiliation. Eventually, that humiliation dampened his ardour and the rings clattered to the floor.

Sofia took pity on him and went forward to kiss him, safe for the moment.