Page 83 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

“I think so. Why? Did you need something?”

I swayed to keep Elara settled long enough for me to transporther to a softer place. “No. I was just curious. How much did you win?”

His smile curled slowly as his gaze darkened. “Thirty-two thousand.”

I nearly choked. “In cards?”

“I’m very good.”

“I’m sure you’re a real Rain Man.” Knowing Xander was a betting man, I wondered how much he was willing to risk on a friendly wager. “Think I can sink this in that trash can?” I held up a balled up paper towel.

“One-handed from here?”

“Yup.” I swayed, my other arm practically asleep under Elara’s squishy butt.

He glanced at my feet then to the trash can. “No moving?”

“Nope.”

“Over the island?”

“I won’t even move the vase of flowers out of the way.”

He laughed. “Nah, you can’t make that.”

It was my turn to twist a slow grin. “Wanna bet?”

His brow lifted and I knew I had him. “How much?”

I almost said a hundred bucks, but then I remembered who I was dealing with. “How about a thousand?”

It was clear I shocked him. “You know, if you miss, you have to pay up.”

“I’m good for it.” Actually, the thought of forking out a thousand smackers made me want to vomit, but I wasn’t backing down at this point. Besides, Hale would be the one cutting that check.

“All right.” He unfolded the wad of money he’d won at cards and counted out ten crisp one hundred dollar bills, laying them out on the island. “Take your best shot.”

I stared down at the money, wondering if this was insane.

“Barrett, your leaves are too big. You’re crowding my corner of the pie!”

“Who said it’s your corner, Phina. You’re hogging it.”

I glanced over my shoulder. As the two younger Davenports bickered, Hale worked meticulously to carefully braid the dough. I smiled, thinking about how nice it would be to spend Xander’s money tomorrow morning at the Black Friday sales.

“It’s interesting to watch you two.”

I glanced back at Xander. “Why?”

He shrugged. “You actually like each other. He watches you when you’re not looking and you dothe same to him.”

“He’s my person.” I shifted Elara’s weight in my arm. “And baby needs a more manly apron, so I better make this shot.”

Xander’s gaze dropped to my stomach just as I launched the crumpled paper at the trashcan.

“No way!” he yelled as it swished seamlessly into the bin.

“Ha!” I yelled, startling Elara, but I was too happy to worry about nap time. Swiping up the money, I danced around the island, shaking my ass in a touchdown-worthy victory dance.

---