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He nods. As if that means I need to leave my sister free to be with him, in whatever way she wants, because I love her.
And I nod back. If he does love her, then he should let her go, to be with a person who actually suits her.
It’s a good deal, though. If it gets him to keep his distance from Lexi.
Because Lexi said her boyfriend break is fortwoweeks, and I’m sure she’ll be back with Jake at the end of it. Our dinner with Willa and her partner is infourweeks. So whatever happens with River in the nextthreeweeks? Is just more data I can use to support the app. It’s win-win-win.
“Okay. Three weeks.” I offer my hand. “Do we have a deal?”
Chapter Nine
Deanna
Love is a concept with a million definitions. There’s really no way to prove any one idea fits the bill.
But I know him enough to know his image of love:
The pure, true love we see in songs, movies, books.
The selfless love that causes someone to put another person first. Not the familiar version—of course I believe in that—but one that also marries sexual attraction. One that extends beyond infatuation.
Over another round of drinks, I outline the concept.
River signs his own losing ticket. He insists he can trust me to be honest. That I’ll know when I feel it.
Then we set the terms.
Three weeks. Until the week before our investor dinner.
Of course, at any point, either one of us can admit defeat: admit love is magic or not magic.
And just for fun—and maybe because of the drinks—we throw in another term. If I lose, I have to get a tattoo of his choice. Somewhere visible. Somewhere that will mark me as a rebel, not a professional woman. He has full right to my left arm.
And I have full right to his currently un-inked arm.
Even with the buzz, I know it’s silly, but I love the idea of seeingLove Suxon his arm.
Once I’m satisfied with the terms, we shake on it.
“It’s your funeral,” I say.
“This is the place for it.” He releases my hand, finishes his drink, stands with a million-dollar smile. It’s similar to hisI’m getting some from Lexismile, but it’s different. too. Sure. Smart. Sexy.
It melts me in places that are usually ice cold.
Which is ridiculous. That smile is for Lexi, not me, but the logic fails to penetrate.
“Another round?” he asks. “Or would you rather admit Lexi isn’t coming?”
“I’m not in charge of what Lexi does.”
“Did you tell her we’re here?”
“She knows.” Well, she knows I’m keeping him busy at a bar. Just not which bar.
“Of course.” He glances at my purse without comment. “To celebrate our wager then.”
Right. Our deal. He fails to convince me, admits defeat, helps Lexi stay with Jake. Win/win for me, lose/lose for him. “You’re going to face her hate?” I nod toward Wednesday Addams at the bar.
