Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
A few tears spill and I let out a watery laugh. “Yeah. Okay. Asshole.”
“Still your boss, baby.” He gives me a mock-stern look that makes my toes curl.
I let him lead me through the security line and into our first-class seats on the airplane where my eyes start to water again.
My boyfriend.
Sheesh.
No one has ever been this sweet to me in my whole life.
And knowing that makes me even sicker thinking about my dad and his goddamn investigation.
I need to stop him.
And actually, this poker championship may give me the way.
* * *
Stefano
Twenty bucks will get you a long way with most any stranger. I have a clutch of them in my hand and I’m offering them up in what may be the craziest thing I’ve ever attempted.
I must be in love.
That’s the only explanation for this scene I’ve facilitated outside the room of Corey’s first poker match. I told her I needed to make a few phone calls and that I’d pick us up some coffee and meet her here.
She wasn’t thrilled about being left alone. I think her nerves were getting to her, but she didn’t seem suspicious.
Now, though, I’m starting to worry that she won’t show. I did tell her she didn’t have to if she didn’t want.
What if she never comes down?
“How’s this look?” A pretty millennial with a makeup pencil in her hand asks. She’s written C-O-R-E-Y across her face. A group of her friends are working on the TEAM COREY banner. They’re all wearing the Corey sashes I had pre-printed for the event. I recruited nineteen random strangers in all who are committed to being here to cheer Corey on when she comes. It doesn’t hurt that most of them have been drinking and would be up for doing almost anything for twenty bucks apiece.
If she comes.
Merda.
I check my watch. She was supposed to meet me here five minutes ago. Come on, baby. Just then, a long pair of legs below a red skirt appears on the escalator coming down.
“Here she comes.” I clap my hands and the rowdy crew snaps together in a cluster, holding up the sign and waving their flags as the rest of Corey’s body comes into view. She’s wearing one of the red dresses I bought her and looks like a million bucks. No, a billion. She looks like a winner. Definitely a champion.
“COR-ey, COR-ey, COR-ey,” one of the crew starts chanting and the rest join in.
Corey’s face comes into view, her hand across her mouth, eyebrows to her hairline. “Oh my god,” she mutters as she stumbles off the escalator. I catch her in my arms. “What have you done?”
“I assembled a cheering squad.”
Tears swim in her eyes. “Jesus, Stefano,” she chokes. “You did this for me? Now you’re making me cry.” She waves her hands in front of her face, blinking rapidly as she laughs. “I never cry. Only you do this to me.”
I slide my hands around her waist and nuzzle her neck. “You’re safe with me,” I murmur. I’ll take her tears. Guard her emotions with my life.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “You’re amazing.” Then she pushes me back and stares at her champions again. “Who are these people?” she demands.
I laugh. “Turns out, cheering squads can be hired, which doesn’t mean you don’t already have raving fans. They just don’t know you yet.” I wink and steer her toward the door for the competition. “You’d better get in there, it’s going to start in ten minutes.
She blows out a quick breath. “Stefano, you’re insane.”
No, just in love. I don’t say it, though. She’s too easily scared off and I’m still not certain she feels the same.
“Go in there and kick some ass.” I tap her hip because I don’t think she’d appreciate having her ass slapped in public.
She squares her shoulders and tosses her gorgeous hair as she marches in to take her seat at the table.
I find a seat in the audience. I only have a view of Corey’s back, but the giant screens all around the room televise the event, and the cameras are loving on Corey. Who could blame them? She’s about one thousand times easier on the eyes than the grizzled men she’s playing against. I’d be surprised if the cameras ever move from her face this entire tournament.
If only she knew how much everyone watching would love to root her on.
* * *
Corey
I get dealt the shittiest cards in the history of poker. I fold three hands in a row. Part of me is ready to just stand up and walk out of here. I’ve seen enough of gambling to know that when luck isn’t with you, you have to walk away.
But Stefano did so much to get me here. Surprised me with this trip, set up the cheering squad. How fucking sweet was that? He actually listened to the story I told him about playing soccer as a kid and tried to remedy it.