Page 48

Story: Sinful Ruin

“You not only stole from the casino, but you also stole money from my office.From me.”

I pretend to study my French manicure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I checked my pocket before I put my blazer back on.” He slams the deck on the island. “My cash was gone.”

“All right, all right,” I groan. “It’s not like I broke into your safe. I just needed a little spending—er, gamblingmoney.”

His expression doesn’t lighten up.

“I promise, I’m usually not a thief. Can we look on the bright side? I was just investing it back into your business.”

His phone rings, interrupting us.

The man has the most active phone I’ve seen in my life.

“Yeah?” This seems to be his usual phone greeting.

Nohello, how are youfrom him.

Justyeah.

If we have a child, I’ll be the one in charge of teaching phone etiquette.

“I’ll head that way in ten minutes,” he tells whoever’s on the other line before ending the call to make another. “How far are you away from my place?”

I grab the deck of cards as he nods and ends that call.

“Doeshead that way in ten minutesmean you’re leaving?” I shuffle the cards.

He nods, slipping the phone in his pocket. “And your sneaking-out, stealing ass stays here.”

“Rude.” I hold up the cards. “I thought we were having a game night.”

He shoots me anot funnystare.

“Is someone driving you there?” I ask, already feeling like I’m talking to a crappy boyfriend who lies.

“No.”

“Are you ride-sharing?”

“No.”

“Who was that on the phone?”

“Your babysitter.”

“Hard pass. Pippa has told me too many bodyguard stories for me to agree to that.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

I drop the cards on the island. “Where are you going?”

“Casino.”

“I’m coming.”

He shakes his head. “You ruined any chance of that happening again.”