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Groans erupt around the table as Stuart rakes in a sizable pot, his grin wider than the Mississippi.

"Lucky bastard," Stratton mutters, tossing back the rest of his whiskey. "I swear you've got cards up your sleeve or something."

"Nah, I’m just a better player than the rest of you,” Stuart chides, a smug smile on his face.

Stuart's winning streak continues for another hour, his pile of chips growing to comical proportions. As the night wears on,the conversation drifts from work woes to sports predictions, punctuated by the occasional outburst of triumph or despair as fortunes rise and fall with each hand.

Finally, as midnight approaches, Stuart lays down his cards with a flourish. "Royal flush, gentlemen."

A collective groan rises from the table. Trevor slumps back in his chair, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'm out," he announces, tossing his last chip towards Stuart. "Any more and I'll have to start selling body parts."

Stuart chuckles, gathering his winnings with a satisfied grin. "Don't worry, I'll put it to good use.”

I tell him to get the hell out of my house as he and Trevor both push off from the table.

“Share an Uber?” Stuart proposes. “I’ll pay I guess…it’s the least I can do.”

Trevor nods, grinning. “I’ll get you next time. Just you wait.”

They leave to wait for the Uber while Stratton pours himself a big glass of water. “Mind if I hang here for a bit to sober up before I drive?”

“Absolutely. It’s been too long since we hung out, just the two of us.”

We settle into a couple of leather bar stools and I stretch my arms up over my head. Damn, what a week…

After catching up on life in general, Stratton says, “Damn, I’ve been meaning to ask you what was up with you and Tess at the wedding? I didn’t realize you two were seeing each other.”

I let out a long sigh, running my fingers through my hair. "It's...complicated," I start, before deciding to just lay it all out. "It was supposed to be a fake date, you know? Just to get my parents off my back about settling down. But..."

I trail off, staring into the amber depths of my whiskey glass. Stratton looks confused but waits patiently for the rest of the story.

"The thing is," I continue, "I've always had a bit of a thing for Tess. But she's Jane's best friend, you know? She’s off-limits."

Stratton nods, understanding dawning in his eyes. "And at the wedding?"

"God, Strat, it was like...wild. When we kissed, I just had no idea…”

“Yea, sometimes it just hits you over the head, you know? That’s definitely how it was with Ariel.”

I pause, taking a long swig of whiskey, feeling the burn as it slides down my throat. "And then...well, we ended up back at the hotel. I swear, Strat, it was mind-blowing.”

Stratton raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Sounds intense."

"Intense doesn't even begin to describe it,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

I lean back in my chair, the weight of the past week settling on my shoulders. "It was supposed to be simple, you know? A fake date to appease my parents, nothing more. But Tess...she's always been different. And now I’m not sure what the hell to think about all of it.”

“Have you talked this week?”

“Not a peep. I’ve got to text her soon about next week’s wedding. I don’t know why I’m being so weird about this.”

“Perhaps you’ve gotten more than you bargained for?” Stratton asks, taking a big slug of water.

“I abso-fucking-lutely did. And now I’m not sure what I’m going to do about it.”

Stratton stretches his arms over his head and stands up to leave. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Astor. At least she’s not your son’s ex.”

We both laugh. “Yea, I know you have me beat as far as “complicated” goes. Nothing could be more complicated thanthat. I love that it worked out so well for you and Ariel. And Trevor seems to be good with it too. Total win-win.”