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Liz grins. “Boyfriend? Who wants a boyfriend? That was how to score a hook-up.” She rubs my shoulders again. “So are you ready?”
“Yes,” I say while shaking my head no.
“Go play next to him. There’s a seat open.”
“But I don’t know how,” I whimper.
She tosses me a black chip. “Aim for twenty-one.”
“Er, twenty-one what?”
When she laughs, I take a deep breath and head over to the empty stool. I can do this. “This seat taken?” I ask in an unfortunately nasal voice.
He tilts his head to the side and gives me a blinding smile. “Nope. All yours.”
I gingerly place one chip on the felt table.
“Having a good night?” I ask, attempting to sound a wee bit more sophisticated and seductive. In other words I sound like I have strep.
“Yeah. My friend just got married in the dining room,” he says. “I was all danced out, so I snuck in here for a break.”
That explains the tux. “Fantabulous,” I say.
“Sorry?”
“Oh, um…happy wedding. You look too young to have a friend getting married.”
“Oh, he’s crazy. College buddy. You know how it is. What college do you go to?”
“NYU,” I lie instantly. Why not? It’s not like he’ll ever know the difference.
He nods, buying it. “I’m at Penn. Hey,” he says, leaning closer to me and putting his hand on my arm.
A jolt of static runs through my body. He’s so close I can smell the aftershave on his neck.
“You have the coolest eyes,” he says slowly as I watch his mouth forming the words.
“Thanks,” I say, barely breathing.
The dealer interrupts us by distributing two rounds of cards to the four of us at his table.
James Bond lets go of my arm and settles back onto his seat.
Sigh.
I stare down at my cards. An eight and a jack. I have no idea what that means. I try to smile at James, but he seems to be over me and my eyes and is now enthralled by his cards.
“Miss?” the dealer asks me.
“Yes?” I ask back.
“What would you like to do?”
I look at my hand. I have no idea. “Get a card?”
Mr. Bond looks at me in shock. “What? Why?”
Too late. The dealer hands me the four of spades and declares me out.
