Some Like It Hotter (Sweet Life in Seattle #3)

by Andrea Simonne

  So far, most of the games have been fast and loose as the inexperienced players fall away. She’s been playing it close and tight, though, and it’s serving her well. She hasn’t had to do much bluffing yet, but knows the players who’ve been paying attention have already noticed her style.

  “Are you in?” the guy to her left asks.

  She nods, but only calls.

  Unsurprisingly, most of the players competing are amateurs doing it for fun, plenty of doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers. There’s a lively quality to the event with lots of jokes and laughter, and Lindsay’s been joining in.

  Some of the men have been checking her out—their attention wandering from their cards to her pushed-up cleavage as they try to flirt with her.

  But then there are the experienced players. The ones who don’t check her out or flirt with her. The men are definitely straight, but they’re here to win.

  It took her a few hands at each table to spot them, but she’s narrowed it down. The most formidable player so far has been this short, middle-aged guy everyone calls Dr. Bill. He’s already outplayed her during a few hands and is winning a lot of money. There’s also an Asian woman named Kimmy who’s been killing it. Lindsay’s not doing too badly herself, though, and has a sizable stack of chips in front of her.

  There’s been no sign of Giovanni. During the short break after the first round, she casually searched the crowd but didn’t see him.

  There’s no reason for him to show up here tonight.

  Except her spidey senses say otherwise.

  The turn is laid out, and it’s a jack of diamonds. Lindsay decides to raise, but nothing too extreme. Happily, one of the other players is building up the pot for her anyway and, from what she can tell, he’s just made his pair.

  When the river reveals an ace of diamonds, Lindsay doesn’t even blink. She’s got the nuts with four of a kind, and her goal now is to get that pot as large as possible.

  When it’s her turn, she raises again but pretends to hesitate slightly. She can feel Mr. Pair of Jacks trying not to smirk as he raises to the maximum. They go around the table once more, with what appears to be a lot of confident people putting in plenty of chips. Dr. Bill already folded after the flop, and with the way he’s been eyeing her, he knows she’s got it.

  It’s the showdown and Lindsay reveals her four pips. The guy with the pair of jacks’ mouth falls open. There are a few more groans around the table. Dr. Bill nods with approval, smiling at her, and Lindsay can’t help smiling back. He’s obviously been trying to figure her out all night.

  She gathers her chips and lets out her breath.

  I did it.

  She made it to the final round. The main event. It’s not exactly the World Series of Poker, just a fundraiser, but at least she’s made it far enough she doesn’t have to go home in shame.

  Natalie and Anthony both congratulate her during the break.

  “This is fantastic!” Natalie hugs her tight. “See, I knew you’d kick some poker ass tonight.”

  “Thanks.” Lindsay grins. “I’ve had some good cards, which has helped.”

  “Maybe you’ll win the main event! Wouldn’t that be great?”

  Lindsay laughs. “I don’t know. That Dr. Bill guy has been outplaying me. Who is he? Between him and that Kimmy woman, it’s some fierce competition.”

  “It looks like Dr. Bill is a vascular surgeon,” Anthony says, reading from the evening’s program.” He scans further down the list. “And Kimmy appears to be a midwife.”

  “Really? Wow. Well, they’re both wicked-good card players.” She looks at Anthony. “What does it say about me in there?”

  “Lindsay West, Sculptor and Teacher.”

  Lindsay takes this in. Giovanni must have given them that information. She tells them she’s going to grab a bite to eat. “Just something light to keep my stamina up. I’ll be back.”

  On her way over to the buffet, Dr. Bill, of all people, comes up to her. “I wanted to formally introduce myself,” he says, putting his hand out. “How long have you been playing poker?”

  Lindsay shakes his hand and tells him she’s only been playing seriously the past year or so but has been around card games all her life.

  Dr. Bill fishes something out from his pocket and hands her a business card. “I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to invite you to a regular game that I’m a part of. We play weekly, and it’s whoever shows up.”

  She looks at the card in her hand. It’s his business card, and on the back, he’s written his cell phone number, along with the name and address of a restaurant downtown.

  “It’s a private game,” he continues. “Some of the local grinders play, as well as some of the more talented amateurs. A few of us participate in the World Series every year. We’re always looking for exceptional players to join our group.”

  “Thank you, I’ll check it out.”

  “Please do.” He grins. “It’s a good place to sharpen your skills, and I think you’ll discover you’re among friends.”

  After he leaves, Lindsay slips the card into her purse, buzzing with excitement. She’s heard about some of these private games.

  She’s about to head over to the buffet but stops. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and when she turns around, she discovers why.

  It’s Giovanni.

  He’s right across the room talking to some woman, a tall, attractive brunette wearing a dark blue flapper-styled dress. They’re close together and he’s smiling.

  Her heart pounds as she takes in the scene, trying to make sense of it.

  Did he bring a date?

  Her first instinct is territorial. That’s my man. The two of them are laughing about something, and Lindsay stands there frozen in some kind of bizarre fight-or-flight mode.

  Just as Giovanni turns his head and sees her, some man walks up beside the brunette, putting his hand on her arm, and Lindsay realizes she’s misread the whole scene.

  That’s not his date.

  Giovanni starts walking toward her. He’s wearing the blue Armani suit, the one he picked up in Rome for their wedding. He’s not dressed for the 1920s at all, but it doesn’t matter because he looks incredible. My God, did I actually forget he’s this handsome?

  “I see you made it to the final table,” he says with a grin. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

  She nods, still recovering from her near heart attack when she thought he was here with someone.

  “Maybe you’ll win this thing.”

  “Maybe.” She takes a deep breath. “There are actually some good players here.”

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “I am.”

  His blue eyes are focused on hers and he feels so familiar, so right. If only things were different.

  “Are you really selling the house?” she can’t help asking. “It’s what Anthony told me.”

  He nods, his expression changing to the tense one she knows so well. “Yes, I don’t see any point in keeping it now.”

  “That’s too bad. You put so much work into it.”

  He considers her. “Lindsay, we both know that house is nothing to me without you in it.”

  She turns her head to the side and pretends to study the crowd.

  “Which brings me to the main reason I came here tonight. I need to talk to you.”

  She looks at him again.

  “I’m leaving,” he says. “I’ve decided to take another assignment overseas. I just wanted to tell you in person. I have a lawyer handling the paperwork for the divorce.”

  “What?” Her eyes grow wide as her pulse shoots up. “Why?”

  “It’s for the best. I can’t stay here anymore.”

  “So, you’re running away again?”

  He shakes his head. “No.” He glances around. “Come on, let’s find someplace private to talk.”

  He leads the way, and she follows him out of the main area into one of the corner alcoves. There are still some people wa
lking around, but not as many.

  “I’m not running from anything,” he tells her. “I just don’t see the point in staying.”

  “I saw a picture of Olivia,” she blurts out, shifting uneasily. “I looked her up online, and you were right.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t look like her. I was freaking out over nothing.”

  Giovanni nods slowly. “I’m glad you finally believe me, but I don’t want to talk about Olivia. She’s taken up too much of my life already.” He goes silent and then his expression softens as he takes her in. “I admit I’m not immune to your outer beauty, Lindsay. How could I be? I’m still a man.”

  She goes still at his words, her back pressed against the wall.

  He moves closer. “But it’s you I fell in love with. It’s everything about you.”

  His clean scent drifts over her. His nearness is having a powerful effect on her, making her want things she shouldn’t. Her breath catches. “Don’t do this. Not now.”

  “I fell in love with how you sometimes swear so much I want to call an exorcist. With how you’d rather be bled by leeches than plan ahead.” A smile tugs on his mouth. “Even with the crazy way you drive.”

  “What?” she scoffs at him. “There’s nothing wrong with my driving.”

  “You drive like you’re behind the wheel of a getaway car after a bank robbery.”

  “I do not!”

  He chuckles softly. “You do.”

  “There are just too many damn people in my way,” she mutters.

  “As beautiful as you are, your appearance isn’t what matters the most to me.”

  Her breath shakes. He’s telling her everything she’s ever wanted to hear. Except it isn’t enough.

  “I know you don’t believe me, but I don’t care about your infertility.” He pauses. “That’s not what I meant. I care, but I’d be just as happy if we only ever adopted.”

  Her eyes go to his, skeptical.

  “You still don’t believe me?” He shakes his head. “Look at my life. Who knows more than I do about how many children there are in this world who need a good home? Why do you think I agreed so readily to adopt Joseph and Sara? It wasn’t a stretch for me.”

  “But you’ll want your own someday too,” Lindsay insists. “I can’t take that from you.”

  “You think you’re so good at reading people. Well, then tell me if I’m lying about this.”

  She opens her mouth then closes it. She’s spent the last three hours doing just that—searching for weaknesses, searching for whatever it is the other players were trying to hide.

  He stands before her and she studies him. It only takes an instant to see the truth as plain as day.

  He’s not lying.

  “I have to go,” she whispers. Her pulse has started to race because there are no more barriers. No more reasons to run. The voice that usually tells her when it’s time to leave is silent.

  “You’re always on to the next one, aren’t you? Just like your tattoo, just like that song.”

  Her breath shakes. “I have to get back.”

  He nods. “I understand your panic. I’ve been there myself.” His eyes are sympathetic. “Ask yourself something, though. Is this the life you really want? Always running from love?”

  Lindsay’s game has turned to shit.

  She keeps waiting for her usual poker calm to come over her, but it’s not happening.

  She’s sitting at the final table with her mineral water and her stack of chips, all the familiar pieces in place.

  Except she’s losing badly. Making one foolish move after another. Playing loose and reckless, trying to steal the blind or bluffing with rags when she should be folding. She might even have gotten away with this kind of nonsense if it were a different set of players who didn’t know any better.

  But not this group. They see every mistake.

  “Are you all right?” Dr. Bill even asks her at one point.

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Kimmy has been eyeing her with a mixture of sympathy and curiosity.

  Lindsay takes a deep breath and lets it out. She tries to get her head back in the game, tries to stop her heart from spinning out of control.

  I’m not running away from anything.

  Giovanni is wrong. What the hell does he know anyway?

  How dare he throw that song at her. That fucking song which has been plaguing her for years.

  And there’s nothing wrong with the way I drive. I drive great. Perfect even, motherfucker.

  Two more players are knocked out during the next hand, and things grow intense. Despite all her mistakes and shrinking stack of chips, Lindsay’s still in the game.

  Time to quit screwing around.

  The cards are dealt and, with annoyance, she catches herself chewing on her bottom lip as she studies her hole cards, both of them diamonds.

  What in the hell am I doing?

  The flop brings two more diamonds and Lindsay smiles. Well, what do you know? Hallelujah, it’s raining diamonds. One more is all she needs to make a flush.

  She notices everybody around her raising, but to be honest, she hasn’t been paying much attention. She needs to start thinking about this game, but all she can think about is Giovanni. Their conversation plays itself over again in her mind.

  The part where he said he loved her. And then the part where he said he was leaving.

  Dr. Bill raises the maximum bet and Lindsay calls, figuring why the fuck not? The odds of hitting her flush on the turn are only about one in five. She knows her game is off, and her stack of chips is dwindling, but if she hits her flush, it’s all good.

  The turn brings a king and it’s not a diamond. A black card. A spade.

  She frowns. Dammit.

  The other players are all hovering like vultures, waiting for the kill. She can feel them closing in, searching for any weakness. You can’t let emotions get involved in a poker game.

  For some reason, she remembers Cockroach Breath from Berlin. The way he lost it all, a grown man playing on tilt because of love.

  Lindsay snorts to herself. As if I’d ever do that.

  But her throat goes tight when she remembers what Cockroach Breath said.

  Love is everything.

  It was an odd sentiment coming from a guy like that.

  When she thinks about Giovanni leaving, her heart aches. Has she ever loved anyone this much? The voice that usually whispers in her ear is back. Only this time, it’s saying something different.

  Are you really going to let him go?

  Dr. Bill is raising the maximum again and Lindsay decides to go all in. There’s nothing left for her anyway. It’s hard to believe, but that’s what it’s come to. If she doesn’t hit her flush on the river, she’s down to the felt. Busted.

  And that’s when a queer realization comes over her. She glances around the table at the other players. They’re all looking at her with knowing eyes like she’s an easy mark. What the hell? She blinks a few times and then it finally dawns on her.

  I’ve been playing on tilt this whole time!

  She sucks in her breath. I’ve lost everything.

  More than a game of poker. Because suddenly she sees it all as clear as the meaning of that horrible song, how she’s been on tilt much longer than a single card game. She’s been living her life that way.

  And it’s been obvious to everyone except me.

  She shakes her head with amazement.

  It turns out Cockroach Breath was right.

  Love is everything.

  She waits for the river, the final card. And when it’s played, Lindsay starts to laugh because she’s ruined, taken down by none other than . . . the Queen of Hearts.

  Giovanni knows he should buy a winter coat soon. He hasn’t owned one in years, but it’s fall now and cooling down enough to where it’s become obvious he needs one.

  Not that I’ll be needing one for long.

  It’s night, but he’s sitting
outside in the backyard, staring at his fruit trees. They’re doing well, and after removing the deadwood a while ago, he’s pleased to see they’ve grown some new foliage. The trellis he built is still there against the back fence.

  Maybe the next owner of this house will make use of it.

  He came back from the fundraiser tonight and changed out of his suit, figuring it was time to start work on that resignation letter to the hospital.

  Instead, he’s been sitting out here in the cold staring at his trees.

  They won’t be mine much longer.

  The house hasn’t sold yet, but there’s plenty of interest. Two couples have already made offers. He should be glad. Soon, this will all be behind him, and he’ll be back overseas again, living like a vagabond.

  Maybe that’s the life I’m meant for.

  He hasn’t decided where yet. Not Africa though. Possibly Southeast Asia, or maybe South America. Everybody needs doctors.

  It was difficult seeing Lindsay tonight, though it’s been more difficult not seeing her. She’s left a gap in his heart that’s impossible to fill. After all these years, he’s finally learned what it’s like to honestly fall in love—not the manipulation he experienced when he was younger, but the real thing. A part of him was still hoping he could change her mind, get her to see what she’s giving up.

  As he’s thinking all this, he notices movement from the corner of his eye. He turns his head and sees it again. There’s someone inside his living room.

  Giovanni goes still, certain he locked the front door.

  He unfolds himself from the chair and starts making his way cautiously toward the house. Unfortunately, he left his phone inside.

  Suddenly, he sees someone near the French doors, but the lighting is dim and he can’t tell who it is. One of the doors opens. His eyes widen when he hears music coming from the house. It takes him a moment to realize what it is, but when he recognizes the song, his heart hammers.

  Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love.”

  Lindsay steps outside. When she sees him, she stops, her hand on the door handle.

  Giovanni stops walking too.

  Neither of them makes a move. They just stare at each other from across the lawn.