AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ok, let’s do this.” I know there is no way he was paying that close attention. “What’s the bet?”
“First of all. I am not leaving anything to chance. Mama, do you have a pen and a piece of paper around?” Theo asks, eyes still glued to mine.
Athena jumps up, not needing any further explanation. But I do.
“Why do you need a pen and piece of paper?”
“I’m going to have you write down the title of the book you were reading the day we met. Then you’ll fold it and place it underneath your plate.”
“You don’t trust me?” I bat my eyes at him, his arm tightens around my shoulders.
“Don’t think of it as me not trusting you,” he brushes the tips of his fingers against my shoulder. “It’s more of an insurance policy should you try to cheat.”
“Cheat?” I scoff. “What’s the bet?”
“If he guesses wrong, he has to jump in the lake!” Tess offers her opinion freely and seems to get the approval of the rest of the family.
That is pretty brutal in my opinion. It is freezing outside. I open my mouth to protest but he nods.
“Alright. If I guess wrong, I’ll strip and jump into the lake.” He agrees with an air of confidence.
“You seem very sure of yourself.” I search his eyes for a sign of doubt and find none.
“I am.”
“Alright, you’ll jump in the lake when you guess wrong.”
“If,” he corrects me. “If I guess wrong.”
“Fine,” I relent. “So, what happens if by some slim chance you guess right?”
“At the hotel we are staying at in Hawaii, there’s a karaoke bar. First night we’re in town, you’ll be up on stage, singing a song of my choosing.”
“And what song is that?” I ask amidst the oohs and ahhs at the table, doing my absolute best to hide my fear of singing in front of people and being the center of attention.
“The song is to be determined.” He tilts his head, “We’ll see how I’m feeling when we get there.”
Say no, my brain screams at me. But my competitive side, or what I should refer to as my stupid side, is egging me to take the bet.
“You’re on.” We shake on it.
Theo gets up and leaves the room so I can scribble the title of the book down, making sure none of them see what I am writing. The last thing I need is for one of them to use some kind of Bennett sign language to give Theo the right answer. I fold it neatly and place it underneath my plate of still uneaten Greek food.
“Theo!” Caleb yells for him to come back.
Theo’s hands are tucked away in his pockets, wearing that wicked grin of his. For the first time tonight since discussing the bet, I am a little concerned he might win.
“Alright, Theo,” Tess can’t hide her impish grin. “What book was Cate reading the day you met in the coffee shop?”
Theo’s green eyes meet mine and he mouths,I’m sorry, before saying, “Persuasionby Jane Austen.”
I am stunned. Rendered speechless.
“Is he right?” I hear Liam say but I am still staring into Theo’s eyes.
“Cate, darling?” Athena’s voice cuts right through me and I suck in a breath.
I lift my plate and hand the piece of paper to Steven, who is sitting next to me.
