Page 35 of Play to Win

“I hate country music.”

“Oh my God.I’m starting to think our marriage is in trouble.We’re not compatible in a lot of ways.”

My lips twitch.“Okay, we’ll compromise.We’ll listen to country for half an hour, then I get to choose.”

“You already got to choose the Beatles music earlier.”

“But you liked that too.”

“So you’re going to pick something that I don’t like, just to get your turn?”

“No!”I frown.

“I’m just kidding,” she says.“Again.”A soft sigh escapes her.“Just yanking your chain.Deal.”

This woman’s a handful.I’m now thinking she may have been able to hold her own with Ed and Lincoln and the entire Vegas mob.

After an hour of music, my choice being a mixed playlist of indie tunes, we arrive at a gas station.I’m still good for gas, but I want to fill up just to be sure.We both get out to stretch our legs, Lacey thrusting her arms over her head and twisting her spine.

Christ, she’s sexy.

Her hair is falling out of the bun, all wavy pieces shining gold in the sun.Last night at the pool when she let her hair down, I almost went to my knees.She’s beautiful without all the hair, but I have to admit I have a thing for long hair on women (okay, maybe it’s a fetish).Lacey’s hair is long and wavy, parted in the middle, gorgeous shades of light brown and dark gold and pale blond.Masses of it.Stunning.

I want to pull it all down and run my hands through it.My fingers tighten on the gas pump.

My gaze lowers to her slender, toned calves, remembering her skirt falling down her thighs with her feet propped up on the dashboard ...

I better think about something else, or the rest of this drive is going to be very uncomfortable.

“Should I grab anything inside?”she asks.“Drinks?Snacks?”

“I have bottles of water in a cooler.And granola bars.”

“Sensible,” she murmurs.“I was hoping for some Cheetos.”

I shake my head.“Go find some Cheetos if you want.”

“Okay.”She lopes into the small store with her purse and I find her there moments later chatting with the woman behind the counter when I come in to pay for the gas.

“Yes, she was in Folies Orleans!”Lacey spots me.“This lady remembers seeing my mom!”

“Wow.Small world.”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t want to be a dancer like her?”The woman rings up my gas purchase.

Lacey sighs.“I thought of it.I like to sing and dance, but I’m not good enough.And there aren’t many shows for that type of dancing these days.To make good money, you have to dance wearing nothing but a smile.”

I cough.

“Plus we couldn’t afford dance lessons.”

I hand over my credit card, then sign it.

“Nice to meet you, Verna!”Lacey calls as we leave.

She’s got a Diet Coke and a bag of Cheetos, which she opens and digs into once we’re back on the interstate.She offers me the bag.

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