Page 16 of Going All In

“So, um, how was your day today?” Holly finally looks at me. “What do you actually do all day?”

Ah, the question everyone wants to ask. When you work anything other than a typical nine-to-five, everyone is intrigued by your schedule.

“It was good. I’m practicing for a tournament this weekend, so that takes up most of my time. My typical day is to wake up, go for a run. I read for a little. Some afternoons I meet with the guys and play poker, like we did today. That typically lasts a few hours. Then we usually go somewhere for a beer, and after that…” I spread my hands as I get to the part of the day we’re at now. “If we weren’t going out, I might be thinking about playing some online poker, but I usually only do that if there’s not a tournament coming up.”

Her eyes light with some interest. “What happens in a tournament?”

“This one is in Atlantic City, so it’s easy to get to. We’ll head there Thursday, stay through the weekend. We just… play poker.” I shrug. “It keeps going until everyone loses all their chips except one person.”

“So, the group of yours, are they all going?” she asks.

“Only three of us are going this week. Me, Cam, and Blake.”

“Do you play as a team?”

I shake my head, holding back a smile. I’ll have to teach her how to play poker at some point. “No. It’s an individual game. We’re just friends. We play together when we can and we like to go to tournaments together because it’s fun to road trip and hang out when we’re not playing. But when we play, we sometimes play against each other. It’s an individual game, and it’s every man for himself. We honestly try not to play against one another in tournaments if we can avoid it, because we know one another’s tells.”

“Your… tells?” Her nose wrinkles adorably.

“Yeah. That’s what you call—” I break off as we near our destination, and I maneuver into an open spot on the street. “Hold that thought. Wait here while I grab something. Quick question, though. Pat’s or Geno’s?”

She looks out the window, excitement dawning when she realizes where we are. We’re in South Philadelphia, near the cross streets where the famed cheesesteak rivals sit across from one another. Every good Philadelphian has a preference and will defend it to their dying breath.

Cam, of course, likes Jim’s, which is nowhere near the other two, because he has to be special somehow.

“Pat’s!” She rubs her stomach. “That sounds so good. Wiz wit’out, please. And fries.”

I laugh. “True native right there. Be right back.” I step out of the car and close the door, letting her sit in the warmth while I join the line that extends down the block.

* * *

Twenty chilly minutes later, I slide back into the car with two cheesesteaks, two cups of fries, and absolutely no feeling in my hands.

Holly’s nose wrinkles in confusion when I hand the food to her. “Are we eating in the car?”

I shake my head as I maneuver back out onto the street. “We’re going to eat at my place, if that’s okay. I was thinking we could maybe play a board game or something.”

Holly stares at me, her expression unreadable.

I shrug my shoulder as I make a turn onto Broad Street. “Or not, if that’s silly. We could just watch a movie or something.”

A smile spreads over her face as she shakes her head. “No. It’s not silly at all, Maddox. I love board games. I’m just surprised you do, too.”

A laugh escapes. “I play card games for a living. I love all games.”

“What’s your favorite?” Her eyes shine with excitement.

She’s almost hot and cold, but it’s more than that. It’s like this is the real Holly, and the stressed, shut-off woman is who she wants to show the world. I love these glimpses I get of the real her. I just need to figure out how to convince her that she doesn’t need to hide with me.

I purse my lips to the side in concentration. There are so many good games to choose from. “Probably Monopoly. It’s a classic. How about you?”

“Ooh, Monopoly is good. I love Ticket to Ride. Code Names. Settlers of Catan. Life. Clue. There are just so many good ones.”

We discuss the attributes of different games—required number of players, strategy, time needed to play, attractiveness of the game board. By the time I pull the car to a stop in front of my apartment, we’ve narrowed it down to two top contenders for tonight: Ticket to Ride and Monopoly. Clue has been waitlisted for a night when we have at least three players.

In the elevator, Holly peers around at the walls and floor. She’s avoiding looking at me, a slight blush rising on her cheeks as she bites her lip, and I can practically read all the thoughts written across her face.

Because I’m thinking about it, too.

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