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She leans back in her chair, totally smug. I should be annoyed. I’m not. I’m mesmerized.

“How are you doing this?” I whisper.

She shrugs. “Law school. Bluffing is part of the curriculum.”

“I should’ve known.”

“Also, I’m very competitive.”

“You’re terrifying. In the best way.”

“Flatter me all you want, Jones. I’m still taking your chips.”

She wins another hand with a full house. I swear I see James mouthwhat the hellat Ethan.

"Maybe it's beginner's luck," she says shyly, jokingly.

I push back from the table a little and rest my hand on Mandy’s leg. “Okay, if you’re so good, come over here and guard my stack for me.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Are you surrendering?”

“Strategically repositioning.”

“Mmhm. Scoot over.”

She climbs onto my lap, tossing her legs across mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The whole table erupts.

James smirks. “And now we’re just making out mid-game?”

“Let them be cute. You’re just mad she’s better at poker than you,” Haley retorts.

Grace chimes in. “Someone take a photo. I need to frame this.”

She grins, turns back to the game, and places a casual bet that wipes out James’s last few chips.

He drops his cards. “That’s it. I’m done. This game is rigged.”

“You played yourself,” Connor says.

“I’m starting to think she’s actually some kind of agent,” Ethan says.

“She is,” I say, grinning. “And she’s mine.”

As the night winds down, the poker table starts thinning out. Drinks shift from beer to water. Voices soften.

Mandy’s curled up on the couch with Haley, Grace, and Stacy, laughing over some group text thread. Her feet are tucked under her, hair falling loose from the bun. Her eyes crinkle when she laughs.

I sit back with a beer and just watch her.

She’s not trying to impress anyone. She’s just... her.

I’m in trouble. And I’m not even mad about it.

Every time I’m around her, I forget what it’s like to be on guard.

“Final hand,” James calls. “Winner takes the last of the peanut butter cups.”

Mandy jumps in, rejoining the table.