Claude purses his lips. “Hmm…” His associate whispers something to him, and he lights up. “Well, in that case, I believe I have the opportunity to request a proxy.”
My teeth clench. “How much?”
Claude grins. “Five hundred.”
I shoot my brother a hardened side-eye. “I’ll do it.”
“Mmm,” Claude hums, scanning my muted features. “Maybe…” His gaze flicks behind me, and the corner of his lips curl into a smirk. “Or perhaps, it should be her.” He cocks his head. “Who are you, mademoiselle? You are new.”
I turn around to find Emery standing behind me, doe-eyed. Fuck. “She’s not?—”
“I pick her,” he states to everyone. “After all, she is in the room, and she is your guest, is she not?” Claude looks at Emery, nodding, “Your name?”
“Emery,” she says quietly, before clearing her throat. “My name’s Emery.”
Claude smiles. “Well, Emery,” he nods down at the billiards table, “shall you win me some money then? I’ll rack it up while you…prepare.”
“I’m sorry!” Emery whispers, rushing to me as Claude collects the balls. “I don’t know why?—”
I pinch my nose. “It’s not your fault, darling.”
“You bastard.” Will appears beside us, glowering. “I would have been fine! And now?” He looks down at Emery. “Have you ever even played pool before?”
Emery bites her lip, nervous. “No, but I mean…” She swallows. “It’s only five hundred dollars, right? I?—”
William snorts. “Five hundred dollars? You’re a funny girl, Emery Jones.” He looks at me, bewildered. “She thought it was five hundred dollars! Comical, isn’t it?” He glances back at Emery. “It's five hundredthousanddollars.”
Emery’s mouth hangs up. “Half a million dollars?” she whispers. “Oh, I can’t?—”
“Prep time is over,” Claude calls out. “Time to play.”
I place a hand on Emery’s shoulder, trying to ease her nerves. "Just breathe, darling. Don't worry about the money, alright? It’s just a game?—”
“Half a million!” she whispers, hands shaking. “I…”
Quickly glancing at the felt and balls, I look back at Emery, her fear palpable. “It’s a game, Emery. Like a puzzle.” I swallow, needing her to relax. “And really, when it comes down to it, it’s math.” Her head tilts, frowning. “It’s geometry, trigonometry, physics. It’s math, Emery. It’s just a mathematical puzzle.” I cup her cheek with my warm palm. “You love math, darling.”
“We are waiting!” Claude singsongs.
“Math?” Emery nibbles on her bottom lip as she side-eyes the table. “A puzzle.”
“Any day now!” Claude calls out.
“Just focus, darling,” I say, stepping to the side with my brother and Vivienne. “You got this, Emery. You do.”
“Okay…” She nods slowly. "Okay.”
As we approach the billiards table, Claude smirks, clearly confident in his victory. He sets up the balls and hands Emery a cue. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling hands.
The game begins and Emery steps up to the table. She surveys the arrangement of the balls, her brows furrowed as she recalls my advice. She takes a few practice strokes, biting her tongue in concentration.
Claude watches with a mix of amusement and arrogance. "Do you need some pointers, mademoiselle?"
Emery smiles politely but declines his offer. She lines up her shot and takes it, sinking one of the striped balls into a corner pocket. A murmur of surprise ripples through the crowd. She twists her neck toward my brother and me, and there’s a hint of newfound confidence in her small, subtle smile.
I give her a nod of encouragement.
“Was that a lucky shot?” Will whispers. “Or is she…?”
