A couple of days have passed since our weirdly friendlyVampire Diariesmarathon. We’ve managed to avoid getting on each other’s nerves too much, minus a minor incident where I almost spilled an energy drink on her laptop. It’s not my fault they don’t make laptops waterproof.
The mood is high all around, thanks in part to Beau’s Grinch-themed welcome cocktails and the novelty Christmas-light necklaces Cat hung around all our necks. Luke and I hauled out the faux Christmas tree we keep in storage. James and Natecontributed in their own way—namely, by standing back and keeping any grumpiness to a minimum.
Cat and Brinley are behind the bar, making themselves Sex on the Beach cocktails. They made it clear they’re planning to hang and chat until the poker portion of the game is over, so I’m setting up chips for us five guys at the table.
“I think you miscounted.” Pippa points at the table. “That’s only five spots.”
“There are only five players. Me, Luke, Nate, James, Beau.”
“And me.”
I turn toward her, brows arched. “You want to play? Against me?”
She leans forward, giving me a perfect view down her shirt. “Why not?”
“Because even if you try to use boobs to distract me, I’ll still kick your ass.”
“Maybe. Maybe not,” she says.
I shrug. “It’s your funeral. You know the buy-in is ten grand, right?”
Pippa flinches. That’s no small chunk of change for her, and for a second I feel a little bad about it.
“Hey, I’ll stake you if you want,” Luke offers.
“You would?” Pippa shoots him a look of gratitude that makes me want to stomp on something. “I’d pay you back, obviously.”
“Nah. It’s not a big deal.” He waves his hand.
I cross my arms. “Yeah, that’s barely pocket change for Luke. Let him throw his money away if he wants.”
“Luke can stake me, too,” Brinley announces.
He blinks, giving his sister a look. “Seriously, Brin?”
“Yes, seriously. If Pippa’s playing then I want to try, too.”
“I’ll play too, if that’s okay,” Cat says brightly. “Sounds fun.”
Nate grins, wrapping one of Cat’s wild blonde curls around his finger. “Oh, Kitten, this is going to be fun.”
“Even if I beat you?”
“Especially if you beat me.” He kisses her temple, and Beau and I make gagging noises.
“Stop being cute! It’s weird,” Luke whines.
“It’s unnatural when you smile,” I add. “It’s like a zebra standing on their hind legs. Put the scowl back on, you’re scaring me.”
Cat laughs and rubs Nate’s back. I’m being honest—it’ssoweird to see Nate being all sweet and gooey—but it’s good weird.
I redistribute the chips into eight piles while James pulls up more chairs to the table.
“I haven’t played poker since college,” Brinley says, taking a seat by Beau. “I might forget some of the rules.”
“If you need advice, just ask,” Beau offers.
“Only if you’re out of the hand,” I say. “If the amateurs need help, they can get it from anyone who’s not playing. Otherwise, there could be collusion.”
