Page 25 of In Spades

A moment of uncomfortable silence passed.

“Fiancé?” Maddie spoke up first, evidently the bravest of the bunch. Or at least the one willing to jump off a cliff.

Kyle wrapped his arm around Bridget’s waist and pulled her to his side. “You haven’t told them yet?” He looked down at her empty left hand. “Where’s your ring, baby?”

Bridget wrung her hands together. “I, um, don’t wear it when I’m working. I keep it in my wallet so it doesn’t get dirty.”

“Go put it on, baby,” Kyle said before turning his beady gaze to Chase. A smile slowly crept across his lips. “Show it off to all your friends.”

Bridget hesitated, then turned and quietly walked into the back. She returned a moment later, walking around Kyle to where the rest of her friends crowded together. She held her hand out, fingers splayed, to show everyone her engagement ring. “Kyle proposed last weekend.” Her words were barely audible. “I guess I forgot to tell y’all at poker night.”

“You can be so forgetful sometimes,” Kyle said, chuckling.

That placid laugh couldn’t hide the contempt in his eyes. He moved behind Bridget and gave her shoulders a tight squeeze. She flinched the moment his hands touched her.

“That’s okay, though,” he said as he craned his head to the side to see her face. Bridget’s eyes were trained on the floor. “We’ll just have to have everyone over for an engagement party.”

The corner of Bridget's mouth quivered before turning into a soft smile. One by one, the girls gave hugs and subdued congratulations.

“Wow, how exciting,” Kristin said with feigned excitement. Her sentiment was hardly believable.

Hannah Jane forced a smile when Kyle remarked he wanted her to plan the biggest wedding this town had ever seen.

Chase stepped forward, and all eyes turned to him. He leaned in and pecked Bridget’s cheek. “Happy for you, darlin’.”

Kyle extended his hand with a smug expression plastered on his face.

Chase stood straight and shook Kyle’s hand. There was no emotion in his voice when he said, “Congratulations, Kingsley.”

Bridget met Chase’s gaze with watery eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”

Time stood still in Jokers as Chase turned and walked out the door. I didn’t have a clue about what just went down, but I was on pins and needles.

No one said anything for a long time, and I didn’t want to be the first. Thankfully, Kristin grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the bar.

“What the heck just happened?” I asked as she racked up a pool game. The rest of her girlfriends had slipped outside. “Where’s everyone going?”

“Probably to check on Chase,” Kristin said, leaning against the pool table. She peered across the room to where Kyle had planted himself at the bar. “I think the poker club just imploded.”

“Oh,” I said, unsure of what that meant. I gestured toward Bridget, who had busied herself with mixing drinks and serving the rest of the crowd. “Is she okay?”

Kristin shrugged and passed me a pool stick. “Kyle’s a decent guy, I guess. Chase has just been in love with Bridget for years.”

“Interesting,” I said, but decided not to push any further.

I had my suspicions about Kyle. He came off like a total ass, but it wasn’t my place to say that.

I pushed up the sleeves of my Henley and chalked the end of the cue. “You look nice tonight, by the way.”

“Think so?” Kristin asked, feigning a bashful smile and fluttering her eyelashes.

I smiled. “It’s good to see you let your hair down.”

“Mr. Solomon, I took you for a gentleman.” She raised an eyebrow. “If your game plan is to distract me by sweet-talking, it won’t work.”

I grinned. “How dare you question my honor.”

Her bubblegum pink lips curved into a smirk. “Mhmm.” Kristin leaned over the pool table and lined up her shot. Her tits nearly spilled out of the front of her shirt.

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