Page 48 of Clear Shot

Two pairs.

Hana grins. “Four aces.”

“Son of a bitch.” Remy laughs. “You got me. You have a hell of a poker face, Ms. Hasek.”

“Until I have to go to the bathroom,” she replies, scooping up all the chips. “If I have to pee, all bets are off. You’ll see faces you’ve never seen before!”

Everyone laughs and we gear up for the next hand.

It’s going to be a long night, but at least there’s good company.

Chapter 17

Hana

The rain starts aroundtwo in the morning, right around the time we decide to call it a night with poker. I stare out at the dark sky as the guys lock up the patio and turn to Flora.

“Is there anything I can do before we go to bed?”

Flora shakes her head. “I have oatmeal in the slow cooker, and it’ll be done around eight. Even if we lose power, the generators will kick in. I’ve got rolls and cold cuts and different salads for lunch, and there’s a lasagna prepped for dinner. We should be good, but I appreciate the offer.”

“I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”

I wander up the stairs and start getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth and changing into a T-shirt and sleep shorts. Aiden and I have slept in the same bed since we got married, but this feels different somehow, and I’m suddenly a little nervous. Not that he’ll do something I don’t want him to do—the real worry is that he won’t.

Ugh.

I hate this internal war I’m waging.

Protect my heart by depriving myself of something that I’m positive will be really good? Or throw caution to the wind and enjoy the opportunity I have, even though I know there can’t be a happy ending for us.

Normally, I wouldn’t think twice because you only live once and the attraction between Aiden and me has been off the charts since we met.

This is different, though.

We’re married.

He’s my husband.

I can try to pretend it’s just a piece of paper—because that’s really all it is—but it means something. It may not be permanent, but it’s legal and binding. And he offered. He didn’t ask for concessions or money or anything else. I signed a prenup, which was my idea in the first place, and that was it.

Deep down, I believe he wants this too.

We’re just dancing around the logistics of being together, neither of us willing to make the first move because… well, there are a lot of reasons. Most of them valid.

“Hey.” Aiden comes in and the door clicks shut behind him.

“Hi.” I turn and run my hands up and down my thighs nervously.

Why am I nervous?

Aiden is never going to hurt me.

Not physically, anyway.

“Starting to rain pretty good,” he says after a moment. “But the house is sealed up tight.”

“Okay.” I’ve just taken a step toward the bed when a crash of thunder startles me and a yelp escapes me, my hand flying to my chest.