Page 40 of Make the Play

She tilts her head in mock thought. “Since I was sixteen.”

“Sixteen?!”

“I used to hustle drunk frat guys in college. Easy money.”

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “Of course you did.”

“I mean,” she continues, completely nonchalant as she surveys the table, “it’s not my fault they underestimated me.”

My eyes narrow. “So what you’re saying is, I was set up.”

Zoe doesn’t look the least bit guilty. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You hustled me.”

She hums, bending over for another shot. “Maybe.”

The next ball sinks seamlessly, and my pulse spikes in full-blown panic. Because I just bet my entire goddamn chance on this game, and I’m losing. My cocky smirk is gone. My calm and collected act? Fucking obliterated.

And Zoe knows it.

I was supposed to have the upper hand. To charm her, playfully antagonize her into saying yes. Make it fun. Lighthearted. Now I’m just out here trying to survive.

She straightens, looking obnoxiously satisfied.

“Having fun yet?”

I drag a hand down my face, exhaling slowly. “Oh, yeah. Best night of my life.”

Her grin flashes, cocky and far too fucking pretty.

She’s down to the eight-ball now—just one shot left—and I’m praying for a miracle. Lining it up, her brows furrow slightly, tongue tucked in her cheek as she takes the shot.

Clack.

The ball rolls, but bounces off the corner and stays on the table.

A breath saws out of me. “Thank fuck. There is a God.”

I plant my feet, grip my cue, and line up my shot before glancing at her.

And then, casual as anything, Zoe murmurs, “Stop looking at me like that.”

I freeze. The cue stick wobbles slightly in my grip, and I blink once, twice, then flick my gaze back up to hers.

“Like what?”

She tilts her head, mouth curving just slightly.“Like you’ve seen me naked.”

I don’t even take the shot, I just completely whiff it. The cue ball jumps off course.

Zoe hums. “Interesting.”

I slowly straighten, grip tightening around the cue as I stare at her. She issopleased with herself.

“That was evil.”

She lifts a shoulder. “I was just making an observation.”

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