Page 291 of Dark Love

She doesn’t have any pockets in the dress that I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off of. “I’ve got Dahlia’s dollar. Why the low stakes?”

“That’s all Mom.”

Dahlia sits back down next to me brushing her arm against mine. Not distracting at all.

“She wanted to teach us responsibility and help us avoid a gambling addiction. We’ve all won and lost over the years. Losing your allowance at eight years old was painful. We’d have to do extra chores to earn it back.”

“Dahlia was the only one to do those extra chores. Montgomery always gave me some of his money.” Basil lifts the corner of his cards that Dahlia’s mother just dealt out.

“Yet you managed to avoid a gambling addiction.” Dahlia doesn’t even look at her cards.

“That’s because I always lose.” Basil pushes two chips into the middle.

“Without a poker face, you’ll never win.” Montgomery slides three chips into the middle.

Dalhia’s father folds.

Dahlia slides three chips into the middle.

I lean over and whisper, “Aren’t you going to look at your cards.

“Dahlia isn’t allowed to look at her cards until after the flop. Otherwise, no one stands a chance.” Basil pushes his cards into the center. “Prue got Mom’s card-playing gene.”

“Speak for yourself. I do just fine.” Monty sips his beer.

“Card playing gene?” That’s such an odd description.

Dahlia’s mom shakes her head and the room goes quiet.

It’s time to watch and learn.

***

“How? How did you do that?” Dahlia stares at my cards. “That hand is practically impossible.”

“Practically.” I leave the chips in the center of the table even though they’re all mine.

“You need to play Mom. Just don’t let her hustle you.” Dahlia nudges me.

“She’s had the entire evening to figure out my tells. Hustling her would be practically impossible.” Which is partially true. If I hadn’t sprinkled a few fake tells in there. The win against Dahlia came down to the cards dealt. I didn’t have a clue what she was thinking. Then again unless she’s suffering or happy, I rarely have a clue what’s going on in that beautiful brain of hers.

“I’m sure Maverick doesn’t want to play again this late.” Eugenia stacks the cards up.

Do I? Not really. But curiosity wins out. “One hand would be fine.”

“What are the stakes?” She leans forward.

“Dinner. If I win, you invite me for another delightful meal.” Which will give me another excuse to endear myself to your family.

“And if I win, you need to take my daughter out on a date.”

Dahlia gasps. “Mom.”

“Deal.” This couldn’t be any easier. But I need to ensure that I lose to a woman that seemingly never loses. “You’ve dealt all night. Shall I deal for us?”

She raises an eyebrow at the unorthodox suggestion. “Thank you.”

There’s an art to stacking the deck. And even more of one when it isn’t a new deck.

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