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Fran’s eyes widen. “Then get on with it. The pregnant girl has to pee.”
Stella sways back then forth on her legs, refusing to leave until this is over.
“Fine. What do you want if you win, Zevulun?” Rose sets her cards face-down, and crosses her arms.
I grin. There’s only one thing I want. She doesn’t know? “If I win, we go to Reno tonight and find a chapel.”
Fran gasps and slaps both hands over her mouth. Stella giggles then hops from one foot to the other in a strange little dance.
“Zev,” Rosalie growls.
“Let my wife go to the bathroom,” Roman says, matching Rosalie’s tone.
“Shh,” Stella hisses at him. “I’m not missing this!”
I shrug, eyes on Rosalie. “That’s what I want. Either you’re all in or you’re not.”
Rose stares right back. She grinds her teeth, then picks up her cards, glancing down at them. She leans into the table. “Fine. You want to play like that? If I win, because I’m going to win, Zev, you get a tattoo. A rose right over your heart.” She bats her lashes like she’s caught me. Does she think I’ll back down? Like a dog with its tail between its legs.
And sure, I might be the only player on our team without a tattoo. I’ve never seen the appeal. Rose knows that. Which is how I know she’s attempting to call my bluff.
But I’m not backing out now. A rose over my heart? I’d get that tattoo with or without this bet. “Deal.”
Another gasp from Fran who may pee her pants before Stella does.
Rosalie scowls at me. But I just shrug. “I’m all in. If you are.”
Her jaw shifts right then left.
Will I actually make Rose follow through and marry me? No. I mean, not unless she wants to. The one time I brought up marriage, she acted as if I was joking. I’d never been more serious.
Callum scoots to the edge of his seat. Stella’s dancing becomes a little more sporadic. Fran is chewing her thumb nail to bits.
It’s time.
“On three,” Lucca says.
The table is showing an Ace, two Jacks, a two, and a three.
I’m holding both a two and a three. It’s low, but it’s two pair. I’ve got a chance.
“One,” Lucca counts. “Two… three.”
Rose sets her cards down, but I keep mine close for just a moment longer.
“Four of a kind,” Roman mutters under his breath. “Holy.”
“Zev,” Rosalie barks, though I hear the tremble in her breath. “Your cards.”
“Do you need a dress before we go? Flowers? A ring?”
Her eyes widen, and her breath hitches.
Then I lay my cards down. “Two pair. You got me, Conrad.”
Rosalie deflates, sinking into her chair. I worried her. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Stella sucks in a gasp. “I just peed a little.”
