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Looking at her makes me want to be the funniest guy in the room, so I can be the one to make her laugh. But I’m going to have to settle for her not scowling at me for now.
This whole thing was about getting Sabrina here for Robbie, and I’ve achieved it. She’s pulled up a chair beside him and they’re whispering away together, in their own little world. I’m happy for him, albeit a little jealous.
Anastasia rubs her hands up and down her arms, and I quickly realize for someone wearing not that much, it’s cold out here. “Here,” I say, shrugging off my tuxedo jacket. “Take this.”
Her mouth opens and I recognize that look; I have a fight coming my way. But to my surprise she closes it, accepting my offer. She drapes it over her shoulders and tightens it across her front. “Thank you, Nathan.”
“Let’s get a drink, Hen,” JJ says, patting him on the back.
“But I have a drink and so do you.”
JJ sighs, dragging Henry toward the nearest server, muttering something about discretion.
I’ve never been nervous to talk to a woman before. I know I need to try hard with Anastasia if we’re ever going to be friends. I can’t stomach the next few weeks, or months, with the weird tension between us. Especially now all my teammates are making progress with her.
Plus, she said I’m on probation so I’ve got to try something.
“You look beautiful.”Weak start, Hawkins.“Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah, I am. It’s a shame you had to be the one to throw it. Having to give you credit is my only criticism.”
Her words seem harsher than they actually are. They’re defiant, but what they don’t show is the way her eyes are fucking gleaming, and the way her teeth sink into her lip while she waits for me to respond.
God bless, Patrón.
“I thought we had a truce. I’m on probation, you’re supposed to be being nice.” I chuckle, watching her try not to laugh.
“This is me being nice!”
“This is your version of nice? You fucking suck at it, Allen.”
“I said you were on probation, not me.”
I tut playfully. “I’m going to teach you how to be nice.”
“I’m sure there areplentyof things you can teach me, Nathan, but being nice isn’t one of them. I’m a delight.”
“Mhm. I thinkdelightmight be a stretch.” She smiles. A real one that lightens up her whole face, and I finally feel like I’m getting somewhere. “What things would you like me to teach you?”
She nods toward the house. “How about we start with poker?”
Before I can respond, Henry reappears, now carrying a drink in each hand. “I’m up for poker.”
“Great.” I force a smile, trying not to outwardly grimace at the interruption. “Let’s set up a table.”
Everyone settles around a table in the den, and cards are dealt. In record time, it takes roughly twenty minutes for the birthday boy to ditch us, not alone, obviously.
I’m grateful because it means he misses Anastasia hustling me out of two-hundred bucks.Teach her how to play poker, my ass.I’ll add actress to her list of skills because I truly believed she’d never played before. She called the club a clover, for fuck’s sake; she was very convincing. Well, up until she put down her cards and wiped the floor with me.
“Where are you going?” I ask Stassie as she stands from the table.
“To use the bathroom, I’ll be back.”
Standing, too, I give my chips to Bobby. “The line will be huge. You can use mine, come on.”
She accepts my outstretched hand without hesitation, and this all feels familiar. I’m hoping this night ends with us being friends though, instead of how it ended a few weeks ago.
Apparently, I didn’t learn my lesson last time and now I have Anastasia’s ass in my face again as we walk up the stairs. The stilettos she’s somehow managing to walk in are huge, so she navigated my hands to the curve of her waist to help her get up the steps safely.
