Of course that plan was tossed out the window as soon as I walked into the flat with Thom and spotted Andie across the room. She was standing up, looking a bit peaky, like she was ready to bolt at the mere sight of me. Maybe I should have given her space, but I didn’t. I slipped past a few blokes and made my way toward her table.
Our banter was easy, her presence was welcome, and though it’d surprised me to hear her speak of Caroline, I’d ended the discussion quickly. I didn’t want to talk about her, not when Andie was so close.
She enthralled me. I sat watching her out of the corner of my eye as Nathan passed round the cards and went on about the rules. It was dull, but I nodded along and watched Andie, taking in her delicate features and the hair pinned just at the nape of her neck. The pale shade of blonde reminded me of the summer sun. Her shirt fell off her shoulder closest to me and there were a slew of freckles dotting her tan skin there, just at the top.
“Freddie, if you keep trying to look at my cards,” she said, “I’ll have to ask someone to switch spots with me.” She kept her focus on her obscured cards, but I could see the smile she was trying to hide.
“Right.” I pretended to glance over my cards. “I was just wondering if you play poker often?”
Everyone was taking their time arranging their hand and assessing their odds, but it wasn’t bloody rocket science. I’d been playing poker for years and I didn’t have to concentrate hard on the game. I could play and focus on Andie; the two weren’t mutually exclusive.
“No, actually,” she replied. “I like to play games of skill, not luck.”
I nodded. “I’m afraid it’s not my strong suit either. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.”
“And where do you keep your spades and diamonds?” she asked with a soft smile.
Her smiles never lasted long enough. She was back to focusing on her hand, worried over the cards that had yet to be overturned, but I wanted her attention. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
“What if you and I have our own little wager?”
Her brow arched with curiosity, though she kept her focus on her cards. “Like a side bet? I didn’t bring any money.”
I nodded as I rearranged my cards. “Nothing serious. Just some fun since we’re both novices.”
She didn’t answer right away and when I glanced over, I found her eyeing me suspiciously, as if she was trying to see through my disguise. I watched as she brought her full bottom lip between her teeth, mulling over the bet, and for a moment I was worried she’d say no.
“I’ve not known an Olympian that was afraid of a little competition,” I taunted playfully.
She let go of her lip and straightened up. Just the mere mention of a competition lit a fire behind her gaze and I knew I had her.
“All right, you’re on Mr. Viscount of WhateverItsCalled. What are we playing for?”
I smirked.
“We both have to workout, so I propose a ‘turf war’ of sorts. If I win, you join me in the pool tomorrow, and if you win, I’ll join you on the pitch.”
She titled her head, still inspecting me as if she’d find my true intent written across my features. I arched a brow and she reached out to shake my hand.
“You’re on.”
We shook on it and I didn’t let go until I was good and ready.
“I hope you packed a bikini.”
CHAPTER TEN
Andie
“KINSLEY!” I SHOUTED through the condo. “Did you happen to pack an old, 1850s style bathing suit in your suitcase?
“What?” she shouted back.
I groaned. “Never mind.”
She poked her head past my doorway, but I didn’t bother glancing up; I knew she’d have judgy eyes.
“Jeez, it’s a mess in here.”
She wasn’t lying.
I’d systematically removed every piece of clothing from my suitcase and tossed it aside after a quick inspection. I was trying to find something to wear down to the pool. I’d packed two bathing suits, both of which were bikinis, neither of which I would be caught dead wearing around Freddie—who was, by the way, either a card shark or a lucky beginner. Or the devil. I still hadn’t decided.
“Why do you need a bathing suit?” she asked.
I tossed another t-shirt aside. “Because I have to go swimming.”
“Right, so just wear that bikini you have behind you.” She was pointing at the skimpy light blue one. “It’s very Rio.”
I slapped my hand over my eyes and shook my head. “Yes, obviously. That’s the problem. My boobs look too good in that one. I need one that says ‘I’m boring and unavailable’ which I figured would be right up your alley.”
“I’ll have you know that Liam still thinks I’m really sexy. Just because we’ve been married for a few years doesn’t mean our sex life isn’t still amazing. Just yesterday, we tried this new thing where I spin—”
“NOPE. NADA. NOPE.” I held up my hand to stop her from continuing. “You can stop it right there. I don’t need to hear how gross you two are in the bedroom.”
“Fine, but I’m sorry, I don’t have a nun’s habit for you to wear to go swimming. Just wear that bikini like a normal person.”
I moaned really loudly, hoping it would scare her away, but it didn’t work.
“Who are you going swimming with anyway?”
I paused with a t-shirt gripped in my hands. “No one.”
“BECCA! GET IN HERE.”