Page 20 of Her Intense Protector

“It’s Saturday.”

“Is your team going to be there? Toni?”

“Sure. My team will be there. Toni too.”

“I bet David will look good dressed up,” Eden said as she got off the escalator.

“Huh?”

“David, Toni’s husband. Or don’t you get to take guests to the party?”

“I don’t know,” Sam said as she eyed the first table of high heels.

“How could you not know?”

Sam turned on Eden. “Why the third-degree?”

“Because I don’t believe you. Too many uhms in your answer. You’re not meeting my eyes when I ask you a question. What gives?”

Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. My best friend sucks.

“Look, I’m doing a favor for Toni. It’s not a big deal. I’m going out to a casino and going to tap her brother on the shoulder and tell him that Toni’s worried about his drinking and gambling. I’m going to tempt him away from the tables. That’s all.”

“People who are addicts aren’t just going to walk away, Honey,” Eden said sympathetically.

“Yes, he will. Toni and I have a plan.”

“What’s the plan?”

“I was sworn to secrecy. Seriously, there’s no reason to worry.”

“Where is this taking place?”

“At Goldy’s. You know they’re aboveboard. Nothing bad can happen there. I’m going to be good. Toni will be there to back me up.”

“And David?”

“He’ll be there too. So, no problem.” God the lies just kept coming.

Samantha picked up a pair of patent leather stilettos, looked at the price tag, and immediately set them down again.

“If you’re planning on talking him out of there, I think you’re going to need to buy those bad boys,” Eden said and handed them back to Samantha.

She grimaced. “You’re probably right.”

* * *

The plan had seemed workable until a manager from Goldy’s had called Samantha up and told her there would be a change of venue for the card game. He told her that there would be a car that would pick her up to take her there.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t get into a strange car. Maybe the men in the tournament will, but not me.”

“Then you won’t play,” he said smoothly.

“Fine, I won’t play.” She hung up and crossed her fingers.

They were giving up a twenty-thousand dollar buy-in, were they really willing to throw that money down the drain just because she didn’t want to get into a stranger’s car?

She paced her small apartment, opening the refrigerator and taking a big spoonful of the chocolate chip cookie dough batter. That helped her feel better.