Page 96 of Dating Goals
I tap the table. Malcolm bets seventy-five thousand.
“Call again. You’ve got too many outs to fold.”
The turn card is the Ten of Hearts. I now have a royal flush draw. The best possible hand if another heart comes, or a King or Ace.
“Check again,” instructs Victor. “Let him hang himself.”
I check. Malcolm pushes forward a stack of red chips. “One hundred fifty thousand.”
“Raise to three hundred thousand,” says Victor. “Show some aggression.”
I count out the chips and slide them forward. Malcolm’s eyebrow twitches. Oh! That’s the first tell I’ve seen from him.
The river card is the Nine of Hearts.
“Call,” the voice says without hesitation.
I push my chips forward. “I call.”
Malcolm studies me for a long moment, then folds his cards face down. The dealer pushes the pot toward me, and I rake in the chips, trying not to smile too broadly.
“You’re doing great,” Elodie whispers, her hand squeezing my shoulder. “Keep it up.”
That’s when the room seems to shift on its axis.
The casino doors open, and Anika walks in. She’s wearing a sleek black dress that hugs every curve, her hair is swept up, exposing the elegant line of her neck.
My mouth goes dry. Time stands still.
I can’t focus. Not when Anika is walking across the room with deliberate grace, every eye following her progress. She doesn’t look at me directly, but I know she’s aware of my presence. There’s a confidence in her stride that I haven’t seen before. A subtle power that makes my heart race.
She passes behind my chair without acknowledgment, and I swear I feel the air crackle.
Then she circles the table and stops behind Durand. She leans down, her lips almost touching his ear as she whispers something. He nods once, his expression unchanged, his eyes never leaving his cards.
I grip my cards so tightly they bend. What is she doing here? And with him? My stomach churns with jealousy. Is this why she’s been avoiding me? Has she been with this guy all along?
Anika straightens, gives Durand’s shoulder a familiar squeeze, then glides to the bar where she orders a drink with a graceful gesture.
“Griffin!” the voice hisses. “It’s your bet.”
I blink, realizing the table is waiting for me. I glance down at my cards, then at the flop. I’ve completely missed what’s been played.
“Fold,” the voice in my ear says urgently. “You’re distracted. Fold and regroup.”
I toss my cards face down. “Fold.”
Malcolm smirks across the table, clearly noticing my sudden change in demeanor. “Losing your nerve, McGregor?”
I force a smile. “Just getting started, Chase.”
But my eyes drift back to Anika at the bar.
I’m suddenly sick of this whole charade. I wave the barman over. “Double shot of tequila. Añejo. No lime…Please.”
Elodie’s clicks her tongue. “Tequila? What happened to your martini, shaken not stirred?” There’s a trace of amusement in her tone.
“Left it on the train with that assassin,” I mutter, keeping my eyes fixed on Anika.
