Page 101 of Just Another Silly Love Song

It was my power move and it had been working like a charm all night because nobody could figure out if I was bluffing or not.

Half the time I was.

Ben pointed to my cards. “I don’t believe her, but my cards are crap. I’m out.” He tossed his cards face down on the table and shook his head. “Don’t let her push you out, Dan. If you have anything half decent, stay in and take her down.”

The dealer collected Ben’s cards and turned to Dan, waiting for him to make a move.

Dan stared at me, trying to pick up a sign from my body language, breathing, or facial expressions.

It was a nice try, but I was a statue.

Dan tapped his cards on the table, thinking. “Hmm. What to do? What to do?”

“Don’t let her bluff you out of the hand.” Ben took a sip of his beer. “She’s got nothing.”

I sat up and pointed at Ben. “Hey, no comments from the cheap seats. You’re not allowed to give advice at a poker table. And anyway, Dan’s a big boy and can make his own decisions.”

“See that there, Dan? She’s trying to talk you out of it. She’s scared you’re going to call her.”

I turned to the dealer. “Is he allowed to do that? That doesn’t seem right that he can tell another player what to do.”

Not that I cared, because Ben was helping me without even knowing it. And he was so darn cute when he was being competitive.

The dealer shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with it.”

I pointed to the dealer and then to Ben. “Of course not. Do you two know each other?”

“He’s Dr. Tough Love. Everyone knows him.”

Ben grinned. “Take her out, Dan.”

I laughed. “Says the man who was tooscaredto stay in. I’m surprised you can sit with your tail between your legs.” That got a few laughs from the spectators surrounding our table. “Dan is going to fold, so just do it before the year ends.”

Don’t fold.

He needed to push all his chips to the center of the table.

Dan nodded. “Yeah, I think you’re right, Ben. I don’t think she’s got anything either.”

Come on, sucker. Take the bait.

Dan tapped his cards on the table again. “Lori, Lori, Lori. What are you hiding under there?” He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. “Do you have something good or are you bluffing?”

I shrugged. “I guess you need to push your chips in if you want to find out, but there’s no shame in folding, you know.”

“Oh, what the hell.” He pushed all his chips toward mine. “I call.”

I had no doubt that I was going to win and couldn’t help winking at Ben.

“Oh, no.” Ben recognized the confidence on my face and turned to Dan, wincing. “I hope you have something good under there.”

The dealer pointed to me. “Okay, let’s turn ‘em over.”

I flipped over my cards.

The dealer spread my cards apart to see them better. “Full house, aces over kings.” The guests cheered and hollered, but then settled down when the dealer gestured to Dan.

He slapped his cards on the table facedown and yelled, “Nooo!”