Page 49 of The Price of Love

Finally, Storm can’t do it any longer and bursts out laughing, causing the rest of us to lose it. Wiz is far enough away from us that she either doesn’t hear, or she’s ignoring us because she doesn’t turn back.

“Jesus,” Storm says and punches Jazmin in the upper arm. “Where the hell did peeling potatoes come from?”

Jazmin smiles. “Whenever I got into trouble, my mama always made me peel the taters.”

I laugh. “I about lost it when Storm said we were making soup for the ladies’ auxiliary.”

Through her laughter, Shadow says, “Where the hell were you guys?” She looks at Jazmin. “No way you downshifted out of the curve.”

“I wanted to give the girls a little fun,” I say. “And we were going so slow…”

“So you hung back,” Shadow says.

“Yep,” Storm says. “I think we hit ninety at one point. It was beautiful.”

Shadow shakes her head. “Don’t tell Wiz, or she’ll have a coronary or call the cops. The Graces keep to the speed limit.”

I point at Jazmin. “Nope. It’s all her fault. That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.”

Jazmin shrugs and gives Shadow a sheepish smile. “What can I say? I’m a prospect, so I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Damn, and I was hoping you could look at my bike,” Shadow says.

“Oh, I can work on them, I just don’t know how to ride ’em,” Jazmin says with a wink. “What’s up with it?”

Shadow sighs. “It was overheating for the last five miles.”

“I’ll come with,” Storm says.

Of course she will. Any reason to stick close to Shadow.

“Shit.” Shadow waves a deck of cards. “I’m in charge of poker this stop.”

“I hope you bring me luck,” I say. “I’ve got a king and jack.”

Jazmin pulls two cards from her pocket. “Two aces, baby. I need a third.”

Shadow makes a show of shuffling the cards, doing a bridge and then reversing it before she fans the cards out.

I draw a ten, which keeps my straight alive. Shadow records my card on her clipboard before she holds the cards out to Jazmin.

Jazmin cracks her knuckles, making a big show of studying the back of the cards, before she yanks one from the deck. Without looking at the card, she says, “Ace,” and slams it onto the clipboard.

“Looks like a nine to me,” Shadow says.

We all laugh.

As Shadow records Jazmin’s draw, she chuckles. “Ouch, Storm, a three of diamonds and an eight of clubs. It’s not looking good for you.”

Storm snorts. “I’ve got this. My luck’s about to turn around.” She pulls a card and groans as she drops a two of spades onto the clipboard. “Fuck.” She winks at Shadow. “You were supposed to be my good luck charm.”

For fuck’s sake. Storm isn’t even trying to hide it anymore, and Frost is close enough to see every damn second.

Shadow smiles, even though her cheeks redden.

“I need someone to take over the cards if you’re sure you don’t mind looking at my bike,” Shadow says to Jazmin.

“It’d be my pleasure,” Jazmin answers.