Page 25 of Pretty Relentless

“I love that game. My grandparents taught me and my sister how to play when we were younger,” I say.

“Come on. We can all join in. Grab three dollars,” Hallie says, reaching into her purse and retrieving the money. She slides off the barstool and lets her belly lead the way. She’s so stinking cute, as is Blair. Both have those cute little pregnancy bellies going on, where all you want to do is reach out and touch it. I don’t, of course, because that’s rude. A lot of women actually don’t want you pawing their stomachs, at least without asking permission.

I pull the requested money out of my purse and set it on a chair out of the way.

“Start over! We want to play,” Blair tells Gabe as we enter the large space. The fireplace is roaring, making the entire room cozy and adding a soft flickering glow of light.

There are two tables set up, so everyone spreads out and starts finding a seat at one of the two tables. Marcus arrives and agrees to play, making twelve of us. I’m introduced to Naomi, Max’s girlfriend. She’s from Hudson, a neighboring city, and works at the post office. I know Max, who was a couple years younger than us in school. In fact, I believe he was in Gavin’s class.

By the time we get done chatting, I turn and find only one seat left.

Right next to Gavin.

Of course, Hallie just gives me a sweet smile, as if she didn’t somehow orchestrate that while I had my back turned.

The moment I take my seat, I’m assaulted with the rich, woodsy scent of his cologne. It tickles my nose and makes my thighs clench just a little tighter. It takes every ounce of self-control I possess not to lean his way and inhale deeply.

Gabe goes over the rules, and everyone agrees to start with three dollars. The loser with the lowest score at each table, of each round, puts a dollar in the middle. The person who wins the final game wins the money.

“Hello, Miss Rutledge,” he murmurs softly, the timbre of his voice causing my nipples to pebble.

“Hi,” I squeak out, my voice suddenly sounding more like a Muppet than my own.

“You look incredible,” he adds, his gaze taking a leisurely stroll down my sweater and dress.

“Oh, uh, thank you,” I mumble, wishing I weren’t so dang awkward when I’m nervous.

And let’s be real. Ever since I started tonoticeGavin Pierson, I’ve been nervous, especially when he looks at me the way he is now. His hazel eyes are full of appreciation and interest, and I can’t help but wonder why. What could a handsome man like him see in a nerdy, introverted schoolteacher like me?

I’m only comfortable around kids.

“Ready to win some money?” he asks, his eyes sparkling.

I take a deep breath, not sure how I’m going to survive sitting beside this sexy man all night and not reacting. “I’m ready.”

I’m just not sure what exactly I’m ready for.

Chapter Eight

Gavin

Jesus, she’s so fucking beautiful.

The red dress, black sweater that would give a nice view of cleavage if she weren’t wearing something beneath it, and boots. My God, those fucking boots. I’m going to dream about them for the rest of my life. They’re nothing fancy, just black leather with little heels, but the way they hug her calves and go with her red dress that hits at her knees and I’m suddenly weak in mine.

“Do you know how to play?” she asks as the first round of cards are dealt.

“I do. I used to play when I was younger with my grandparents,” I tell her, collecting my three cards.

“Me too! Maybe it was that generation’s game. I think they used to play in a church group,” she says, taking a peek at her cards carefully so no one can see.

“I believe you’re right,” I reply, taking a card off the stack when it’s my turn. Ava’s to my left, so she’ll have the opportunity to take the one I discard or retrieve the top card from the stack. I pull a seven of clubs, and since my original cards contain two clubs, I go ahead and keep it in my hand and discard the offsuit.

“Thank you,” she says, scooping up the ten of diamonds and slipping it in her hand. She discards a two of hearts.

“I see you’re going for diamonds,” I tease quietly, keeping my voice down so the rest of the table doesn’t hear.

She flashes me a knowing grin, holding her cards to her chest. “I will neither confirm nor deny.”

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