Ever.
“Well, I appreciate you still wanting to talk to me,” I say softly. “I’m not used to that.”
Aiden is quiet for a moment, and his gaze takes on a thoughtful expression. “I don’t see the danger in talking, do you?”
I swallow. He’s right. There’s no reason why the two of us can’t talk and get to know each other.
But he’s wrong, too. Because if we talk and like each other?
Talking is as far as it can ever go.
Which makes talking dangerous.
“No, of course not,” I answer, keeping my fear to myself. Besides, I’m being ridiculous. We’ve exchanged a few sentences, nothing of substance yet. We can get to talking, and I could be bored to tears. Find we have no common interests between long pauses—
“I have three questions for you,” Aiden says, interrupting my thoughts. He pauses and lifts his hand to his hair, pushing hair off his brow and raking it back into place with his fingertips.
I smile up at him. “Perhaps I’ll have three answers for you.”
Aiden grins, and yes, my head knows the rules, but the way my pulse speeds up at the sight of that smile tells me my body is ignoring them.
“One, I notice you don’t have a drink. May I get you one?” he asks.
“First answer,” I say playfully. “I drove myself tonight, so I’d love a mojito mocktail. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll go to the bar and get you that as soon as I get the answer to my second question.”
“Go on.”
“I noticed you were picking up the items in my basket. I want to know what you think of them.”
“I can answer that. But first, what’s the third question?”
“I’m supposed to deal blackjack as soon as the gaming tables open,” Aiden says. “And I was thinking we could continue to talk if you would care to keep me company at that table. Or you could help me deal the cards. Whatever you want to do.”
I stare at him, surprised by his offer. Aiden wants more than small talk. He wants to spend some significant time with me this evening.
“Scarlett? Have I overstepped?” he asks, a look of concern flickering across his face.
“No, not at all,” I say quickly.
“It’s not against the rules, is it?”
I shake my head. “No, absolutely not.”
“So what do you think? Will you gamble with me tonight?”
I stare up at him, my breath catching in my throat. It’s a gamble, all right. Not gambling with him.
But rather on him.
I bite the inside of my lip. My head tells me to do one thing, yet my heart tells me another. I stare up at Aiden, and the second our eyes meet, I know which one I’m going to listen to this evening.
“Once I have my drink,” I say slowly, “I’ll give you my thoughts on your basket. Oh, and I’m excellent at shuffling cards, so if you need my services at the blackjack table, I’m happy to step in.”
Aiden’s face lights up. “Let me get you that drink.”
I smile in response. “Okay.”
