She deflated.“Fuck.”
“How much did Vincent lose?”
My question was ignored so she could pour the beaten eggs into the pan.Once they were secured and heating, she kept her back to me.“The odds were five to one.I made three hundred thousand.Do the math.”
Jesus.“And you walked away?”
“Yes.Losing that much is stupid.”
“But you didn’t lose.”
“Eventually, everyone loses.”
True.
I studied her.Despite her projected recklessness, she had a solid center.It was strange.Her twin projected that competence as her personality.It was one of the main reasons Mario noticed her because they were so alike in that way.Ellie hid hers.
I moved the glass of orange juice she’d poured for me.It sat between us.Once she’d turned to face me again, I pointed at it.“Is that half full or half empty?”
“Don’t try to psychoanalyze me.It doesn’t work.”
“You sure?”
She picked up the glass and chugged down the contents, then set the glass between us again.“Are you happy now?”
I stared at the residue collecting on the bottom.“It can be filled up again.”
Her finger poked at me.“You are an optimist.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You’re definitely not a pessimist.”
I smiled.“I think outside the box.”
“I destroy boxes.How’s that for a head trip?”
She was being argumentative for a reason.It made for a good distraction while I worked out a plan that wouldn’t involve gambling or groveling.“Does Johnny owe you any money?”
She blinked.“I?—”
This was going to get interesting.But pressing her on an answer was delicate.The change in her demeanor was abrupt.A twinge of jealousy clouded my mind for a second.It whispered, she still loves him.
Or she hated him.But there was passion there that had caused that mood shift.
“I spoke to Don Manca this morning.”
Her eyebrow went up at the subject change.Quickly she masked it and turned to address the eggs.“How’s Allie doing?”
“I didn’t ask, but Mario’s being a distracted shithead, so I’m guessing he’s not getting much sleep.”
“Good for her.”
I snagged a belt loop on her jeans as she tried to slip past me to get the orange juice from the refrigerator.With a tug, her body plastered against mine.“I didn’t get much sleep either.”
“Whose fault is that?Not mine.”
“Bullshit.”I kissed her because her delicious lips were so close.
