Page 42 of Spades

That he keeps his cards—pardon the pun—close to his chest, because he inherited the membership from his father.

Wait.

How did Dr. O’Rourke put it?

He inherited it from his father, you know, and as I’m sure you’re aware, they didn’t exactly have the best relationship when he died.

As I’m sure you’re aware, he said.

People don’t typically talk about their strained relationships with their parents on the first date. I certainly would never bring up my mother. You talk about music, your interests.

So why would Dr. O’Rourke put it like that?As I’m sure you’re aware?

Why would I know?

And more importantly…

Whatshould I know?

16

MADDOX

I’m backat Randolph and State. It’s about ten minutes before Alissa said she’d meet me here.

So much for being fashionably late.

But Alissa is worth showing up early for. I still can’t get that kiss outside her apartment door out of my mind. I’ve jacked off three times since the date just thinking about it.

Normally I’d abstain before a date. But with Alissa in mind, I couldn’t help myself.

She brings Mad Maddox out even when she’s not in the room.

My phone buzzes. A text from Harrison, my best friend.

Hey. Super random, but I think the woman you’re seeing tonight works at my hospital.

No way. I mean, Harrison is a cardiothoracic attending surgeon at a hospital downtown. But this is Chicago. There are lots of hospitals, lots of doctors. What are the odds?

Alissa Maravilla?

She’s the one. She’s a nurse in the transplant wing. You’ve never taken a woman to the club before, have you?

Nope. Until yesterday, you were the only person I’d brought as my guest.

An honor. Hope you know that I’m not putting out.

Very funny.

Anyway, I hope I didn’t fuck you over. I mentioned that you have brought me there in the past as your wingman. This was before I connected the dots and realized it was you she was seeing.

Fuck.

I hope Alissa didn’t get the wrong impression. I’ve dated and hooked up casually in the past, but that doesn’t mean my feelings for her aren’t real. Hell, I shared Aces with her on the first date.

Did you tell her she’s the first woman I’ve taken to the club?

I mentioned that, yes.

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