Page 71 of Make You Love Me
“I thought we could cross off Las Vegas.”
My fork drops, and I sit back in shock. “You want to drive to Las Vegas?”
“What? Of course, not. We don’t have that kind of time, and you have appointments scheduled.”
“I would have gone,” I mutter, returning to breakfast.
“Me, too.”
Smiling, I’m intrigued about where she wants to escape today. “Where do you want to go?”
“Ever been to the horse track and casino in Charlestown?”
“No. Let’s do it.”
“That was easy.”
“I already told you. I’ll go anywhere, do anything with you.”
Based on her lack of come back, I’d say the advantage has tilted back to my side.
“It’s a few hours from here,” she continues, recovering faster than I like. “But since your appointment is early today, we can make it before the races start.”
Eyeing her, I sip on my juice. “Want to make a wager before we go?”
“You know it. What are we betting and what are the stakes?”
“I bet you dinner I win more times than you—horses, casino, slots, whatever.”
“You’re on.” She takes the last bite of pancake left on her plate, her eyes never leaving my face. “And when I win, I want a dinner on the river.”
My jaw goes slack. Restaurants on the river are swanky, expensive, and you go there to be seen. Or, you have money to burn like there’s an endless flow into your bank account. “Okay. Will you be wearing that dress I love so much?”
“The one you always talk about peeling off me?”
“That’s the one.”
“Maybe.” She smiles into her glass before taking a long, teasing sip. “Maybe I’ll buy something new with all my winnings.”
“Mmm. I have half a mind to let you win, but there’s the whole male pride thing.”
“That’s fine.” She waves a hand and gathers my empty plate. “When I win, I want it to be because I beat your ass. Not because you let me.”
“I can’t wait. When’s my appointment?”
She checks the clock. “In about an hour. That gives me enough time to get ready…” She stops when something on the counter catches her attention. “And you enough time to talk to your sister.”
“What?”
She holds up the phone, lit with Josie’s photo, highlighting an incoming call from her.
“I guess it’s time,” I concede and take the phone when she passes it to me on her way to the bathroom.
“You’ve got this.” She kisses my hair, and I tuck the significance of the subtle gesture of affection away to dwell on later.
I wait until she closes the door and turns on the shower before hitting theCall Backbutton.
“Hi, little brother,” Josie says after the first ring, her voice timid and uncertain.
