Page 76 of The Image of You

I shook my head. I could never get her to understand how to create a decent hand, and I had given up trying.

“What kind of new business?” I asked, dealing myself a couple of new cards.

“Maybe one of those boudoir photo-shoot places.”

I almost choked on my drink, the scotch burning my throat. “The only woman I’m interested in taking boudoir shots of is Ally, Elena. But thanks for the idea.”

“No, you’d do great,” she insisted. “With those killer looks, sexy tattoos, and smoldering eyes, you’d pack them in. Toss that dark mane of yours a lot—like a lion. They’d love it.”

Ally laughed, and I shot her a look.

“Not happening.”

Elena poked at her hair and batted her eyelashes at me. “If I were twenty years younger, I’d let you do a spread of me.”

I caught Ally’s gaze and winked. Leaning forward, I brushed Elena’s cheek with my lips. “If you were twenty years younger and I were single, I’d take you up on that offer, you minx. It wouldn’t be my shutter snapping open in that spread either.”

They started to laugh, and I grinned. I loved making them laugh.

Elena dropped her cards. “I’m tired. No more cards.”

Ally gathered up the cards, the action making her ring glint in the light. I had misjudged just how small her fingers were. It was too big for her, but she had wanted to show it to Elena and share our news. She had wrapped tape around it to keep it on, saying even after a few hours her finger felt wrong without it. We planned to take it to the jewelers and have it sized.

She’d been so excited to show it to Elena, who had studied it carefully, then kissed us both, wishing us a lifetime of happiness together. She was even more pleased when I told her of my plans.

I smiled as I lifted Ally’s hand to my mouth and kissed her fingers.

Elena beamed. “When are you going on this grand adventure?”

“I promised Sean I’d do this feature for him. He thinks it’ll happen in about six weeks. He’s working on all the documents and arrangements now. I should only be gone two weeks, then I’m done.”

Elena fixed me with a look. “So, eight weeks and my girl can stop her constant worrying?”

“Elena!” Ally admonished quietly.

“It’s fine,” I assured her. “Yes, Elena. She can stop worrying. You both can.”

Elena sniffed. “I never said I worried about you, boy.”

I winked. “I know you do, you miserable old bat. You love me.”

She rolled her eyes. “You think too much of yourself.” Then she chortled. “I can hardly wait to see the look on Sarah’s and Ronald’s faces when the two of you announce your engagement.” She clapped her hands. “I have to be there.”

I shrugged. “Sorry, only those who love me can be present to witness that showdown.”

Ally chuckled, as Elena shot me a frown.

“Alexandra, my dear,” she announced haughtily, “I need some tea.”

I watched Ally leave, smiling as she glanced back toward me then wiggled her fingers, admiring her ring.

“You made two of the best decisions of your life today, Adam.”

I smirked. “My job and marrying Ally, you mean?”

She snorted. “No, playing poker with me and choosing that scotch. Of course I meant that, you dolt.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “I know.”