I might be a little salty afterward but I’d live.
Dylan gestured to the chairs around the table. “If all parties who plan to play would take their seat.”
Connor remained standing, making no move toward the chairs even when the dealer’s hand remained raised in a silent demand.
“If he doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t have to.” Anton sent Connor a warning look. “As long as he doesn’t interfere.”
“And the lady?”
Deborah shook her head. “No, thanks. I have a feeling it’s best I sit this one out.”
The dealer didn’t press her.
Dylan made a flashy hand movement before plucking a deck of cards out of thin air like a magic trick. “The players are decided. Blackjack will be the game and cash the prize.”
“Someone should have been a magician,” Caroline murmured into her drink.
“Someone is,” Dylan answered as the cards began shuffling themselves. “Dealing is my side gig.”
“Oh really? Where do you perform? Someone was hoping to catch a show.”
“Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m at a little tiki bar off the strip. New audience members are always welcome. Though I warn you. Once you’ve seen the best, you’ll find all other magicians sub par.”
It was Sunday now.
“If we’re still here by then, we’ll have to check you out.”
Caroline could speak for herself. I had enough magic in my life and no interest in seeing it used as a form of entertainment.
Cards flew before landing on the table in front of each of us. All without the dealer ever having touched them.
Magic indeed.
To no one’s surprise, I turned out to be rubbish at Blackjack. Anton and Nathan were card sharks. One or the other won nearly every hand. Caroline managed to hold her own. At least at first.
As the evening wore on, she began losing more and more until she ended up face down, humming softly to herself.
“How are you doing this?” I demanded, tossing my cards into the middle of the table a few minutes later, having lost yet another round.
They had to be cheating.
Nathan gathered the pile of chips that he’d just won. “I told you she’d be a sore loser.”
Anton tossed away his cards. “Good thing I didn’t take that bet.”
I took another chug of my margarita, startled to find it more than half gone.
“When did that happen?” I muttered to myself.
I could have sworn I’d barely touched it.
Caroline lifted her bleary-eyed face from the table, a card stuck to her cheek. “I’m bored with this game. Let’s do something else.”
She started dancing in her seat. She swayed to the music, throwing her arms into the air before rising to shimmy around the table toward Deborah.
“Dance with me,” Caroline demanded, grabbing Deborah’s hand and twirling her around.
I barely paid the werewolf and my companion any attention as I narrowed my eyes at my margarita.
