Page 94 of Player
“I need to win a bet.”
“By hedging your wager?”
“By any means possible. I won’t leave Ireland happy without seeing his smug face when he loses.”
O’Brien’s face ... at the fights.
“Men,” Clarissa says with great relish, keeping her talking.
“Men. This one thinks he can get away with robbing me blind.”
I don’t dare feckin’ blink or say anything, handing things off to the capable woman beside me.
“That’s horrible,” Clarissa remarks. “Why do men always underestimate a woman’s worth. Take this one, for example,” she gestures at me and I stifle a groan, “He ghosted me after we had the best sex of my life.”
Bollocks on a stick.
And is that feckin’ heat I feel in me cheeks? I can feel every bleedin’ one of them staring at me. Best damned sex? My chailín decides now is the time to share that wee bit of information with me?
“My husband, Barrington, brought his tart into my goddamn home. He thinks he’s invincible, but he’ll pay the price soon enough.”
Well, well, well.
“My ex-boyfriend, for the lack of a better name, got me fired from my job for misconduct in the workplace. He got promoted.”
“Asshole.”
Clarissa nods in agreement.
I clear my throat.
So does every other man at the table. Our shriveled balls are collected on a platter and being served alongside a slice of humble pie. I’ve half a mind to let these two finish their conversation in private.
“I didn’t catch your name.”
My grin might not be visible but it’s as broad as day. Brilliant move by the minx.
“I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Sylvia. Sylvia Ogdenhayer.”
I don’t react.
Clarissa tilts her head. It’s the slightest of movements, giving nothing away. But it’s enough to know we are on the same bleedin’ page.
Sylvia Ogdenhayer isn’t pleased with O’Brien.
And she’s come to me to do something about it.
Now, how to proceed?
“The big fella’s got a weak chin.”
She arches an eyebrow. “A weak chin?”
I tap my own, feeling the big fella listening intently across the table struggle not to send a punch my way.
“And how do you fix a weak chin?”
I give her a lazy smile. “Don’t get hit.”
