Page 112 of Forgotten Promise

Kailani shared a look with Benjamin, who shook his head before addressing John. “No. I want, we want, the same thing anyone else wants.”

“And what’s that?”

Benjamin sat back. “We should place our next bets.”

John’s jaw muscle flexed. “Fine.”

She won that time, the orphelins bet that she’d made again paying off, thanks to seventeen black. It was her turn to collect her “winnings,” but she turned back to Benjamin. “You didn’t finish paying your debt. Finish answering.”

“What I want?” Benjamin let out a little huff of air. He sat forward. “To be loved.”

Kailani’s breath caught, the simple statement heavy and honest.

“And have someone to give love to in return. Us.” He gestured between himself and Kailani. “We were close to having that. Maybe as close as most people get, but it wasn’t close enough.” Benjamin’s eyes met hers, but he spoke to John. “I will always love her. I fell for her when I was twenty-one, and despite trying to fuck her out of my system, I’ll love Kailani until the day I die.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, breaking up with someone then fucking other people is exactly how you show love.”

“It is when you know that love is a really bad idea.”

“No, it’s not.” Kailani took a breath, reminding herself they’d already had this conversation/fight; they didn’t need to have it again.

“Sounds like you just need some counseling, and then you’ll be perfect for each other,” John said, voice hard.

Crap, this wasn’t going the way she wanted.

“I know we’ve just met,” Kailani said. “But I’m not normally so…defensive.”

“How are you, normally?” John asked.

“I like to think I’m smart. Kind. Maybe a little ruthless when it comes to protecting my family.”

“A little,” Benjamin snorted.

“Loyal,” she said with a bite, eyeing Benjamin.

“You are all those things,” John said softly.

They played again, then once more, in silence. Kailani won again once, and then Benjamin won big the last time.

John shook his head, looking at the wheel. “It landed on red three.”

“Told you it was a good bet.”

“I think Kailani still has some winnings to collect, before you get yours.”

“Okay, you go, Kailani,” Benjamin said. “What do you want to know?”

She licked her lips, looking from John to Benjamin. “I want to know about you two.”

“Us?” John blinked. “What about us?”

“I wanted to fuck him back at the hotel when he was changing,” Benjamin said softly. “But we would have been late.”

“You’re dating?” Kailani asked.

“I did just buy him a car,” Benjamin said.

“What?!” John’s eyes were round. “That’s not my car.”

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