Page 99 of Play to Win

“We don’t know.”I twist a piece of hair.“I told Chris I’m not coming back until he gets his shit together.That might never happen.”My voice quivers, because, damn, it’s still hard to think of him throwing his life away because of a goddamn addiction.“But Théo could meet someone that he f-falls in love with and wants to really be m-married to.”My throat squeezes.

Taylor’s eyes soften.“You wouldn’t like that.”

I inhale a wobbly breath.“No.”I meet her eyes.“I’m afraid I’m actually falling for him.”

“Would that be so bad?”She tilts her head.“You two seem great together.You’re ...uh, you’re sleeping together, right?”

“Yes.”I close my eyes as a small heat wave washes over me.“And it’s amazing.”

“So, he likes you too.”

“We get along great.Mostly.He’s kind of a neat freak and a bit OCD about where his things are.”I make a face.“He also works way too much.But we’re learning about each other.I probably make him nuts because I hate doing dishes and leave my shit all over his bathroom.I mean, not literal shit.”My eyes pop open in horror.

A laugh spills from her lips.“I knew what you meant.And that sounds like a normal marriage.”

“I don’t know what to do.”I drop my gaze to the ice cubes floating in my pale green beverage.“I know how it feels when you rely on someone to be there, and then ...they’re not.My mom.I mean, she couldn’t help it.But after she was gone and it was just Chris and me, I thought we were there for each other.Only it turned out ...he wasn’t.He let me down over and over again, and then in the worst way.I can’t risk feeling like that about Théo.Like I need him.I have to look out for myself, because nobody else will.”

“Oh, sweetie.”Taylor’s bottom lip pushes out in sympathy.“You have people who’ll look out for you.Me.”

“Aw, thank you.I’m just trying to be strong and independent.”

“Youarestrong and independent.That doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love.”

“But it’s going to end.He told me outright he’s not looking for a long-term relationship.He’s focused on his career and trying to turn the team around.He has no time for love.Not to mention ...he’s been burnt too, so I don’t blame him.”I blink back tears.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to get all emotional.I just wanted to tell someone ...and I can’t tell Everly.Théo’s family all think our marriage is for real.Not that it matters ...he’s over Emma.”

“Well, there you go.”

“What?”I scrunch up my nose.

“He doesn’t need you anymore.But he still wants you here.”

I cock my head.“He’s just being nice.”

“Uh-huh.Okay.I’ll admit, he’s a decent guy.Byron likes him.Especially when Théo throws sticks into the ocean for him.”

I smile.

“Do you want advice?Or did you just want to share?”

I laugh.“Thank you for asking.Unwanted advice is so annoying.”

“Right?”

“Hit me with it.”

“I think you should just go with it.I think you and Théo have a good thing.See what happens.”

“Well, I don’t want to go back to Vegas.Yet.”Or ever?“So I guess I’m either stuck here with Théo?—”

“Such a hardship.”Her lips quirk.

“Or I move somewhere else.Hey, you and I could get an apartment together.”

She stares at me, then shakes her head.“While I do love that idea, I think you should stay here.”

“Okay.But keep it in mind.”

She finishes her margarita and heads home, and Théo arrives a few minutes later.He’s taking me out on a date tonight, for dinner and dancing at a hot club, which I’m pretty excited about.

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