Page 71 of Double or Nothing

His fingers graze my cheek when he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“If that’s what you really want, then yes, I will leave you alone, Kat.” His eyes flood with emotion. “Give me this one last dinner, and if I can’t change your mind, then… I’ll stay out of your life. For good.”

The permanence of his words sends a jolt through me. ‘For good’ sounds so final when all this time, despite my anger, there was always the possibility of running into him or forgiving him. But for good? Do I really want him gone for good? The idea causes an ache in my chest—even more than the moment he walked away.

“I’ll have dinner with you.”

“You will?” The always self-assured man sounds utterly surprised… and pleased. To see him so excited to have dinner with me makes me giddy.

“I’ll even do you one better.” He raises his eyebrows. “I’ll actually show up this time.”

“Even better,” he says with a smile that has me smiling back at him. “I’ll see you tonight, Kitty Kat.”

This time, when the pet name rolls off his tongue, I don’t object.

Chapter 33

Sutton

Pussy.

That’s what Mac called me right before I punched him in his stupid face. Now he’s sitting on my couch with an ice pack on his jaw. I would feel bad if he didn’t know what he was getting into by saying it.

“Not so tough now, are you?”

“The only reason I didn’t hit your sorry ass is, if I did, Dante would have my head,” Mac says. “Wouldn’t want to hurt that pretty face of yours.”

“It’s the moneymaker.”

We sit in silence for a moment.

“So… you think she’ll actually show this time?” Mac asks, breaking the silence by pulling out the big guns.

God, I hope so.

She agreed, even said she would show. Sure, she might have been blowing smoke up my ass, but I don’t think so. I think the culmination of everything from this week is getting to her. Maybe, through the anger, she finally sees the undeniable connection we share. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone for five years. It’s still there. Kat is still my girl. I just hope to hell this dinner tonight means we have a chance.

“Maybe the better question is what are you going to do if she doesn’t show?” Apparently, Mac didn’t learn his lesson from the first hit.

“She’ll show,” I assure, rather than swing at him. Though hitting him still isn’t out of the question.

“What about the residency? Have you given it any more thought? You’re supposed to give Jack your decision on Sunday before we leave.”

“I know what I’m supposed to do.” Unfortunately, that decision hinges on what happens tonight with Kat. If she’s willing to give us a shot, then I’m in. I’ll sign the contract and be the latest Vegas act. If not? No way in hell will I stay in this town. I’ll leave just as quickly as I came. “And I’ll do it. If the outcome isn’t what you’re looking for, you only have yourself to blame. You’re the one who orchestrated this whole thing.”

“I did it for you,” he argues.

“Oh, I know you did, and you went to extreme lengths.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, not only did you trick me into coming here, you also made Kat a part of the deal by forcing her to be my casino host.” I raise an eyebrow in his direction.

“Um…”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You’re lucky I didn’t punch you harder. She blamed me for that shit.”

“I’ll tell her.”

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