Page 80 of Newly Tied

“That was painfully nerdy,” I lamented, “and again, are you kiddin’? Do you think maybe we could know the man a full twenty-four hours before we start pickin’ out china patterns?”

“I just…really like him.”

Reminding her that everyone liked him was not going to get me anywhere. “Great. All I’m sayin’ is let’s tap the brakes and revisit this topic again next Saturday,” I said, then suddenly jolted as my memory kicked in. “Saturday,” I repeated, realizing something.

“Fine,” she muttered. “You don’t have to beat it into the ground.”

“He’s not,” Lang said, squinting at me. “He remembered something.”

I nodded.

“So you’re not giving me crap?” she baited me.

I put my arm around her. “No. I was rememberin’ that we have a date tonight,” I said, looking at Lang.

“Who has a date?” Her voice went low. “Not Ethan.”

“Technically, yes, but I’m sure he’s gonna bail to spend time with you.”

“Aww.” She sighed happily.

“What date do we have together?” Lang asked me.

“Think now of somethin’ you’ve wanted to do for three weeks.”

“That I’ve wanted to do?”

I nodded.

“Give me a hint?”

“We’re playin’ poker,” I said flatly because I didn’t give hints.

“Oh,” he whispered happily, his whole face lighting up. “Doyle’s poker game.”

“It’s gonna be terrible,” I muttered.

“What is?” Sharpe asked as he joined us.

“I love playing poker,” Talia reminded me under her breath.

“You do?” Ethan asked excitedly because she hadn’t said it softly enough. “I was actually invited to a game tonight. Would you like to go with me?”

“No,” Lang and I said at the same time.

“Stop,” she warned us, swatting me in the abdomen even harder than she had earlier. “You’ll scare him.”

“Will you quit doin’ that?” I whined as I bent over.

“If the lady wants to play poker, you let her. Besides,” Sharpe apprised us, “Miro and Ian are having a party as well. It’s not just a poker game.”

“No one will have a good time if she goes,” I informed him. “She’s really good.”

“And she cheats,” Lang was adamant. “A lot.”

“Like I believe that,” he said, smiling at her. “I’m sure she’s simply an excellent player.”

“Thank you for taking my side,” Talia cooed.