Page 101 of All Bets Are Off

“I have no idea.” She shrugged, noncommittal. “What do you think?”

“I think it sounds sort of wifely.”

“Was it husbandly when you bought the dress for our announcement to our parents?”

Ah, she’d turned it around on me. I should’ve seen that coming. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

And so it kept going.

I didn’t want to keep living in limbo. I wanted to embrace the idea of being a real married couple. I didn’t want to put myself out there and be shut down, though. I liked how things were going, and if I pushed too soon, she might close herself off.

It wasn’t just the sex—although that was most definitely fun—but some of my favorite times were spent in the darkness after. We talked about anything and everything. I found out that her love for old things included shows likeA Different WorldandFamily Ties. I’d heard of them but never seen them. She’d suggested we pick one to start binging, and even though I’d never considered myself a “Netflix and Chill” sort of dude—I lived in Las Vegas after all—the idea held some appeal. Once we were on the couch, however, we never made it more than ten minutes until we decided to do something else. Usually each other.

“What’s this charity event we’re going to again?” she asked, her gaze moving to the mirror so she could study her reflection. “I need to make sure I’m dressed correctly. I’m always so unsure about these things.”

“You look beautiful.” I stood and wrapped my arms around her from behind, burying my face in her neck. She smelled like lavender too.

“Yeah, I’m not going to take your word for it.” She looked at me over her shoulder. “Remind me. What are we going to?”

“It’s a croquet tea to help battered women.”

“I like what we’re going for. Croquet, though?”

I shrugged. “It’s one of my mother’s pet projects.” I pulled back. “She seems to have a new one of those by the way.”

Olivia pursed her lips. She looked momentarily thrown. “Um … did I not tell you that your mother joined my mother and me for lunch last week?” She was the picture of innocence. “She heard what we were working on and decided to get involved.”

I didn’t believe her. “Why did she really volunteer her time? Because—and no offense to my mother—this doesn’t seem like something she would want to do. I mean… I don’t see her spending a lot of time with dancers.”

She shrugged. “I can’t recall.” She was horrible when it came to lying. She couldn’t maintain eye contact.

“Just tell me,” I prodded. “I’m not going to say anything to her. My mother and I don’t have deep conversations like that.”

She sighed. “You should. Your mother is actually an interesting person. Well, when you get her away from your father that is.” It was almost as if she thought she’d said too much because she darted her eyes away from our reflection again.

“Come on,” I prodded. “Just tell me.”

Her sigh was long and drawn out. “Do you promise not to say anything?”

“Yes.” I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll keep it between you and me.”

“Your mother seems to be … chafing, I guess would be the right word … under your father’s more petulant responses to things.”

I frowned as I considered it. “You mean his meltdown at the golf event.”

“Yes. I don’t think living with your father is easy for your mother.”

“Living with my father isn’t easy for anybody. Why do you think I moved into the casino even though I could’ve stayed at home in a mansion?”

“I figured that was so you could rail your showgirls without risking anybody overhearing. I’m guessing your parents wouldn’t have opened their doors to your dalliances all that willingly.”

“Actually, my father probably would’ve been fine with it,” I said. “I’m not sure he’s all that faithful to my mother.” I thought of his new secretary—it was his third in three months—and shook my head. “I’m not certain, though.”

Olivia’s countenance was dark when she pulled away from me. “Really?” Her tone was measured. “I see.”

“Don’t.” I poked her side. “I’m not like my father. I have zero interest in playingthatgame.” We might still be tiptoeing around the topic of being really married, but I didn’t want her thinking this was a game. “That’s not who I am.” I was sincere.

She relaxed a bit. “I know. You’re nothing like your father. I just… Can I say something without upsetting you?”

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