Page 18 of Inescapable Ties
I got irrationally upset when she smiled at him. The dude was in his seventies, so there was no way she was looking at him like that. But I also wished she would have given me that smile.
Luciana pushed her final checkers along the board and dropped them into her container.
“Yes!” She pumped her fist into the air. “I win!”
I was proud of my wife for winning, but how had she had that much money on her to play? She wouldn’t just stroll out of the house with thousands of dollars in her wallet. Hell, that much money wouldn’t even fit in her purse.
In the center of the table, a familiar glint caught my eye. I was going to murder her.
She had wagered her wedding ring.
Luciana reached in the center of the table and slipped it back on to her finger. John’s Rolex, a model I hadn’t seen before, sat in the center.
I wanted to lecture her that no matter what Rolex that was, her ring probably cost more.
“You can have it back, John. I was just playing for fun,” she said.
“I couldn’t. A bet is a bet.”
“I insist. There were only three in the world made, and I have no interest in them.”
“If you insist.”
John opened his briefcase and grabbed a piece of pen and paper. He scribbled a number down and passed it to Luciana.
“My personal assistant’s number. I have two extra tickets for the Met Gala if you’d like them.”
Her eyes nearly exploded from her head when he said “Met Gala,” so I had a feeling we would be going.
“Yes,” she blurted out.
“Fantastic. Have a good night, Mr. and Mrs. Renzetti.”
It seemed like he knew who I was. John picked up his briefcase and walked towards the exit.
“I didn’t know you were good at Backgammon,” I said.
“I’m good at a lot of things. Are you ready to leave for dinner? I’m starving!”
Chapter ten
Luciana
EmilioandIweresitting across from each other in a steakhouse. I had never heard of the place, but Emilio insisted it was the best one in NYC.
“I can’t believe you wagered your wedding ring,” Emilio said.
“I knew I was going to win,” I said, shrugging.
“I don’t know if I should be upset or impressed by your confidence.”
“Impressed, obviously.”
“Alright,” he said, and I could tell he wasn’t upset. “Good work, Jaws.”
“Can you believe I won tickets to The Met Gala?!” I gushed.
I was freaking out. Only famous and talented people get invited there. Well, and people that donate an obscene amount of money to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
