Page 33 of The Gambler

“Pretty sure.”

“That’s not the same as sure,” she pointed out. She got up and waved Achilles over from the bar.

“What are you doing?” Tommie hissed.

She didn’t answer him but just waited for the blond, hulking bodyguard to reach their table. As usual, the guy was dressed in black fatigues and a Henley.

“Hey, Achilles.”

“Hi, Tess, what can I do for you?”

“You can answer a question.”

“Sure.”

“Are you straight?”

He looked perplexed for a moment but then smiled. “I'm as straight as an arrow. But not always.” A wink, and then he left.

Tess turned to Tommie, whose mouth was hanging open. “See, there you go.”

“There I go?” Tommie sputtered. “I’m more confused than ever.”

“You’re not the only one,” she grumbled. It was time to take the bull by the horns. This time, not for a friend but for herself. It was time to do stuff. Hot, sizzling, delicious stuff.

“What should I do?” Tommie asked. “Should I do anything?”

It was getting increasingly hot inside. Maybe that third cocktail hadn’t been such a good idea.

“If you don’t do anything, you get nothing,” she replied, as she called an Uber. “Seize the day, Tommie, just seize the day.”

A determined expression crossed Tommie’s face. “You’re right. I should be brave. And bold.”

“And ballsy,” Tess added. “You go up to him now and ask him on a date. I’ll see you later.”

“Hold on. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to take my own advice,” she hiccupped. Leaving behind a sputtering Tommie, she was back at Luca’s place in half an hour. The doorman let her in and offered to call Luca up, but she declined.

I can make it upstairs myself just fine.

The slightly swaying walls and floor weren’t much help, but she made it anyway. Since she still didn’t have any keys, she rang the doorbell. Once, twice, then she kept her finger on it. Or maybe she did that from the get-go, who knew?

Luca opened the door wearing sports shorts. Little dots of sweat had formed on his bare chest. His very, hot chest with a treasure trail on his six-pack that led to—

“Oh, you look so yummy.”

He smiled. “Are you drunk?”

“No, I’m Tess. Tess Gibson. Nice to meet you. I fix computers.” Then she whispered, ‘cause it was her superhero side job, “I also find people and information.”

Why was she looking up at the ceiling?

“Put your arms around my neck,” Luca instructed.

Right. He was carrying her in his arms. With a sigh, she nestled in his arms, nicely against his chest. He smelled like an honest day of workout.

When he started walking toward the guest room, she stopped him. “Wait. I don’t wanna go to sleep yet. Take me to your room.”

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