Page 42 of The Bet
“Why are you here, Stone?”
“To spend time with Jacob. I didn’t want him to sit around by himself and get bored.”
She punched out a laugh.
“I’m ready.” Jacob stood between them with a backpack on his back and Iron Man in his hands.
“Shall we go?” He flashed her an over-the-top dazzling smile, and for a fleeting second wished this chick would melt so that he could get to the fuck-like-rabbits part. She wasn’t about to warm to him anytime this month, he was in for the long-haul, but once she got to know him, she would soon come begging.
He had everything on his side to win; the territory, for one. This was New York, his city and not some goddamn rock pool in Fiji which was going to ruin his Salvatore Ferragamo loafers.
All he had to do was give her the right amount of attention and he’d soon be in her panties.
Fact.
Some things were done deals, and this was one of them. “What about your grandparents, Jacob?” Izzy asked.
Grandparents? Shit. Grandparents weren’t part of the deal. He knew where this was going and he opened his mouth to object, but she beat him to it.
“It wouldn’t be fair to leave them at home, would it, Jacob? That would be very selfish, not to include them.” She gave Xavier a self-satisfied smile.
Jacob piped up. “Can they come?”
“I’m sure they’d love to try thebest burgers in New York.” She exaggerated the words and flashed him a smile that was worthy of a toothpaste ad. “Go and ask them.” They glowered at one another in tortured silence while Jacob disappeared.
“Burgers for lunch?” exclaimed Dale, walking into the living room. “Why, thank you, Xavier.”
“Are you sure you’d like us to come along, dear?” Savannah’s mother asked.
“It’s supposed to be the best burger place in New York,” Izzy said. “We’dlovefor you to join us.”
He grimaced at Izzy. The conniving little thing.
“Let me fetch my bag,” Jean said. “Dale, you need your jacket.”
As Jacob’s grandparents disappeared again, he sucked in his cheeks. This wasn’t part of the plan.
“Oh,” said Izzy, staring at her phone. She looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I can’t come. I need to deal with an emergency.”
“Aaaw.” Jacob whined as if he believed her, but Xavier knew better. She had done this on purpose. “An emergency?” She’d stitched him up, and now she was pissing off and leaving him to have lunch with the kid and the golden oldies.
What the hell was he going to talk about?
“Sorry, Jacob,” said Izzy, gleefully. “I’ll make it up to you another time. Enjoy your lunch, guys.”
“Can we still get a ride in your Ferrari?” Jacob asked.
