“I’d let it go if it was anyone but you. But it’s not. And I can’t. Please, Rachel.”
Arms wrapped around her torso, she sat down across from him and waited.
“You know the rules?” he asked, shuffling the cards.
“I do.”
“I want to change the wager.”
“I’m unemployed, Isaac. I can’t afford to bet.”
He fumbled the shuffle and picked the cards up. “One game. Winner takes all. And if you want me to leave after we’ve played, I’ll go. My word on it.”
Oh, what the hell. It’s not like he can take me to small claims court if I lose.
“Fine. One game. What are we betting?”
“Everything.”
Her gaze shot to his face, but he didn’t look up from his shuffling. Like a pro, he dealt the first card facedown and the second card faceup. She received a three of spades; he had a jack of hearts.
“What are you willing to wager, Rachel?”
“Truth.” She looked at him. “Any question asked is guaranteed an honest answer.”
“Done.”
He dealt the third card.
She received an eight of clubs; he received a ten of hearts.
“Did you stack the deck?” she demanded.
“Nope. You saw me shuffle, drop half the deck and also deal.”
Mumbling random curses on his most prized personal parts, she waved him on.
“What’s the bet, Rachel?”
“Another truth. Same as before.”
“Done.”
He dealt the fourth cards.
She received a six of diamonds; he received a king of hearts.
Rachel closed her eyes. She was going to lose. She knew it. And she’d be stuck answering whatever questions he wanted answered before she could kick him out.
“I’ll bet you a single kiss I’m going to win.”
“No kissing.”
“What would you propose, then?”
“Whoever wins has to...” She couldn’t think, not with him staring at her so earnestly. “Has to reimburse the other for the cost of clothes in Ireland.”
“Done.”