The tension was electric as the dealer revealed our hands. Dillon had two pairs, Kings and Jacks, but Mikkel’s flush with hearts took the win. The table erupted in a mix of groans and cheers, the thrill of the game infusing us all with adrenaline.
“How the…” Dillon started and rubbed a hand over his face. “Outdone yourself, Suarez.”
“Easy does it,” he muttered.
“Guess tonight’s your night, Mikkel,” I said, clapping him on the back.
“For now,” he replied, grinning. “But the night’s still young.”
The game continued, the stakes rising with each hand. Laughter and playful jabs echoed around the table, blending with the hum of the casino.
“Hey Alex, remember that time in college when you convinced us to sneak into the dean’s office?” Arnoldo said, a grin spreading across his face. “I still can’t believe we didn’t get caught.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “How could I forget? We were so close to getting expelled. But hey, we got the exam answers, didn’t we?”
“The best part was, and if I remember correctly, it was Reyes who managed to charm the dean’s assistant into letting us off the hook,” Dillon added, raising his glass in a toast. “Smooth as ever.”
Arnoldo shrugged with a smirk. “What can I say? I’ve got skills beyond the poker table.”
The dealer dealt another hand, and the banter continued, each story more outrageous than the last.
“Remember our freshman year?” Dillon asked. “We threw that wild party in our dorm room, and we ended up with the entire floor getting written up?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Hey, that wasn’t our fault. Who knew the RA was such a stickler for rules?”
“Always an adventure with us,” I said, glancing at my cards. A decent hand but nothing spectacular. “I fold.”
“Remember the time we all crammed for that Econ final?” Lucio asked, a smile tugging at his lips. “We didn’t sleep for two days.”
“And still passed with A’s,” Alex added with a laugh. “Good times.”
By the end of the night, Mikkel was the big winner, his pile of chips towering over the rest.
“Looks like drinks are on you, Suarez,” Dillon said, clapping him on the back.
“Next time, gentlemen,” Mikkel replied with a grin.
We all stood, gathering our things and exchanging goodbyes.
“Doing this again soon?” Arnoldo asked.
“You know it,” I replied, shaking his hand. “Thanks for tonight, guys. I needed this.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
NINA
Five Years Earlier
ITALY
Ronan was finally back in Italy for the whole summer. My heart practically vibrated in my chest at the thought. After months of late-night phone calls, voice notes, and me crying over my absolute worst decision ever—dyeing my hair auburn—I was finally going to see my boyfriend again.Where I could actually touch him, not only watch him through a screen.
I glanced at my reflection in the small mirror by the door, fingers running through the auburn strands I had spent three days mourning. “I still don’t know if I hate you or if we’re starting to get along,” I muttered to myself. Ronan had listenedto me sob about it for hours, promising I’d still be beautiful even if I shaved my head.
“Have you cleaned up your room, Nina?”
My mother’s voice rang through the tiny apartment, and I shut my eyes, exhaling before answering, “Yes,Mamma.”
