Page 37 of A Fool's Game

I roll my eyes. “They’re working it out.”

“Well, he’s The Fool, I have no doubt of that. You just need to make sure that whatever journey he’s starting is one you want to join.”

“What do you mean?”

She considers, head cocked to the side. “He’s got the fire to get him wherever he’s going. Is that money?”

I nod.

Marisol nods as well. “That makes sense. What I saw was aman who can set his compass in any direction and find success. And who has the courage to take the leap.”

“But…” I lead her. Any insight this woman can provide is gold.

“But…we can never look at The Fool on its own. We have to look at how the colors from the cards closest to it will stain its white rose. The Magician, well, I don’t hate that pairing one bit. As a matter of fact, I’d sell my soul to just about anyone to jump in bed with those two. But The Moon?” She shakes her head. “That’s going to be your challenge. The man is facing fears, and it’s going to be a matter of whether he’s ready for the light to shine on them.”

Chapter 15

Gemma

Iwalk into Alchemy wearing a short, tight, shimmering white dress.I just couldn’t help myself.If this man wants magic, I’m going to give it to him.

“Damn, girl.” Ainsley lets out a long, low whistle as he takes one of my hands and spins me before him.

It’s forward, and possibly not even appropriate, considering we’ve really only known each other a week, but somehow, it feels right.

He feels right.

Besides, it’s New Year's Eve. If there was a day for taking a chance on serendipitous meetings and new beginnings, it’s this one.

I step forward until my chest presses against his. Ainsley only hesitates for a moment before pulling me close. He smells like orange and pine and something spicy like ginger. I close my eyes and inhale him.

“This place is so close to my apartment, I’m not sure why I’ve never been here,” he says, taking a step back but keeping both of his hands on my arms.

“It’s my favorite,” I answer truthfully.I love this little corner bar, with its dim, romantic corners and cozy plush chairs. The crowd is light for New Year’s Eve, but it’s still early. We’re able to snag a great table toward the back, next to a small stained-glass window peering out onto the sidewalk.

“What’s good here?” he asks, holding the menu but not opening it.

“Everything. I often get the special cocktail, but I like this rosemary gin martini as well. Starlight Serenade.”

“I like the sound of that,” Ainsley says, setting his menu to the side without taking his eyes off me.

I’m suddenly reminded of exactly why this man is sitting across from me right now. What drew me to him at the bar that night. What caused me to give him my number after knowing him for two hours. What made me tell him that I thought he could be my other boyfriend that day in the bookstore.

It’s the attention.

Ainsley’s focus is complete and undivided, as if I’m the only human on the planet. I haven’t spotted his phone a single time since we sat down, noticeable in a world where almost everyone else has their device on the table next to them—myself included.

I slip my phone into my bag as the server approaches.

Ainsley orders two Starlight Serenades without even asking me, and I’m suddenly so turned on, sitting alone on this hard wooden chair feels like a crime.

As soon as we’re alone again, he leans forward, resting both forearms on the small round table and shines his gaze right into mine once more. “I’ve been dreaming of getting you alone again.”

I bite my lip to hold back a flinch. “Taylor’s not so bad?—”

Ainsley shakes his head quickly. “That came out wrong. That’s not what I meant. He seems like a good guy. It’s just…”

“You two have some kind of thing going on at work that you didn’t want to talk about the other night. Care to let me in on the secret?”

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