Page 17 of Going All In

The last time we were in this elevator. That kiss, the one she initiated. It was one of the sweetest kisses I’ve ever had. It awakened something in me, something that had me pushing her up against the wall to take more.

I’m getting hard just thinking about it, and I need to do something to make it go down. Think unsexy thoughts.

Baseball. Mom. Parakeets.

“What?” Holly gives me a strange look. “Did you sayparakeet?”

I try to laugh, but it comes out like I’m choking. “No. Why would I say parakeet?”

She looks like she doesn’t believe me, but I don’t have a better explanation. Pretty sure nothing shuts down a date—or a non-date—faster than admitting you’re thinking about little birds to keep yourself from getting hard.

* * *

“Hey!” I let out a burst of mock annoyance.

Holly giggles as she records her points. “Aw, did you need that route?”

I did, and she knows it. That’s the only reason she claimed the route that was nowhere near her other train cars.

Like with most board games, there are two types of people who play Ticket to Ride: the ones who focus on their own game and occasionally play defense when someone inadvertently blocks them, and the ones who win by sabotaging other players.

I think I just learned what type of player Holly is. Too bad for her, though; I can beat her at her own game. She thinks she’s on some kind of moral high ground right now because I put ketchup on not only the French fries, but also on my cheesesteak. For the record, it’s provolone wit’—in other words, provolone cheese with peppers and onions on the cheesesteak—and wit’ ketchup. You will never convince me otherwise.

I line up six train cars and set them on the long route between Houston and El Paso. “Fifteen points.” And another route completed, even with her little attempt at sabotage.

She picks up two cards. “Tell me more about your tournament this weekend. You said it starts Thursday, right?”

I nod as I draw my cards. “Yep. We’ll drive over there Thursday morning.”

“Bummer. Guess you’ll have to wait till next week to have another dinner with me.”

I watch as she lays down another short route. “Guess so, unless you want to come to Atlantic City. Could be a fun road trip.”

“Nah. I have to work.” She studies her cards. “Plus, I have plans on Thursday.”

I take a sip of lager out of the glass bottle in front of me while she contemplates her move. “Going out with JJ?”

One side of her lips turns up in a smirk. “I have a date.”

Sometimes it comes in really, really handy to have a good poker face. When you’re playing poker, obviously. Also, when you’re about to trounce someone in a board game without them ever seeing it coming. But right now, I’m glad my face doesn’t show what I’m thinking, because what I’m thinking is,I want to kill the guy she’s going out with.

Instead, I say, “A date, huh? That’s interesting. Where did you meet him?”

She fiddles with her cards. Unlike mine, her poker face is abysmal. “A dating site.”

“Hmm.” I draw cards for my turn.

“What does that mean?”

I look up from my cards, my face still a mask of calm. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

She sets the cards down and crosses her arms over her chest, drawing my attention to the cleavage I want to bury my face in. Yeah, I’m looking there. I’m not a saint. And she may think it’s not a good idea for us to date, but I have other plans.

“Don’t judge me for going on a dating site. I need a date for the wedding. And besides, I’m twenty-eight. I’m ready to meet my soulmate.”

I reluctantly pull my gaze away from her tits and place my own cards face-down as I lean back. “And you think this date could be your soulmate?”

“He could be.” She shrugs and blinks with those long lashes. “If not, I’ll go on another date.”

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