“And nerdy. And sexy.”
“Lucky liked him,” Nick said.
“Who’s Lucky?”
“My son.”
“What?” I gasped. “You’re a dad? And you named your kidLucky?”
Nick started laughing. “My child has pointy ears and a tail and has been known to hiss at someone if he doesn’t like them. He’s a scruffy little black cat I found in the back alley of a casino a few years ago. It was pouring rain and I heard him meowing, so I tucked him in my pocket. I ended up having him inside my coat during my next poker game. I won that game, invested that money, got lucky, and that’s how I’m able to build a resort.”
“Oh. Okay, that makes more sense. So Lucky is your lucky charm?”
“He is. And you’re my wild card.”
I was blushing everywhere now. “I am?”
“Yep.”
Was my heart going a thousand miles an hour? “And Lucky . . . he loved Matthew?”
“Very much.”
“Hmmm. I’m jealous because everyone has gotten to meet Lucky but me.” I stared at the ceiling and smiled. “Sounds like fate or something . . . Maybe you’remywild card.”
“Maybe I am.” His voice softened. “I want to see you again, Evie. Really bad. I’ve been trying to give you space. I don’t want you to think I’m here to ruin your plans with Matthew or anything, but I want you. I want you just as much as I wanted you our first night together, if not more.”
“I want you too,” I whispered. “Does it bother you that I went out with Matthew?”
“No. Have you noticed I have a mullet and earrings? Is my bisexualness not loud enough?”
I giggled. “Well, I didn’t want to assume.”
“Okay, well, maybe I need a tramp stamp that says bisexual just to make it okay for folks to assume.”
“And who are you showing that stamp to?” I snorted. “The nursing home?”
“I could. I’d probably be run out of town, but I could.”
“I think you’d be welcomed.” I shook my head. “The Whynot Golden Girls would eat you up. I still don’t know what I’m gonna do with you, though.”
“Anything you want, of course. And with Matthew too. Maybe thethreeof us could go on a date.”
Nerves shot off like fireworks.Oh god.Could I survive a date with the two of them? What would that even be like? They were both charming enough on their own, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it through a night with them without completely melting.
“Evie? Did you stop breathing?”
“Yep,” I squeaked. “We could ask Matthew.”
“Let’s do it,” Nick said. “If you’re okay with it.”
“I am,” I said. “Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll start unpacking all my kink equipment.”
My mouth dropped. “What . . . what kind of kink equipment?”