Chapter 1707
Chapter 1707
Had Skyler not been so sure that Rosie had no such intention, she could have sworn Rosie was showing off. In her eighteen years of life, Skyler had never known what it felt like to be genuinely cared for. Maybe, for the rest of her life, no one would ever show her that kind of concern again.
Rosie said, “Skyler, let’s just eat something and forget about those jerks.”
Skyler nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
They had just settled down when Lucas, who had been playing poker, sidled
“Rosie…”
Rosie pushed him away. “What do you want?”
Lucas said, “I was calling you. Why didn’t you come over?”
Rosie replied, “Why should I join you guys when you’re playing cards?”e2
Lucas stretched out his arm and wrapped it around Rosie. “I’m sorry, Rosie. From now on, if you don’t want to, I won’t drag you to these boring poker nights.”
Rosie shot back, “You finally realize how dull they are for me?”
Lucas nodded. “Yeah, I get it now.”
With his apologetic demeanor, Rosie decided to forgive him. “Next time, if Skyler’s around, call me over. If she’s not, don’t you dare bother me. Oh, and that guy Steven, he had his eye on someone, right? If he manages to win her over and brings her along, then you can invite me.”
Lucas leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Deal.”
Skyler quickly averted her gaze. Some things were not meant to be seen.
Rosie wiped her forehead with a look of disgust. “Lucas, you kissed me again. We agreed no kisses until we’re married, you’re breaking your word.”
Lucas grinned at her. “How can I resist? My Rosie is irresistible.”
Rosie retorted, “Get lost.”
Lucas persisted, “Come sit with me.”
Rosie protested, “And leave Skyler here by herself? Am I supposed to just abandon her?”
Skyler quickly interjected, “Guys, really, don’t worry about me. I’m used to being alone, it’s fine.”
Just then, Zavier’s voice cut through. “Skyler, can you grab me a bottle of water?”
With a convenient excuse to leave, Skyler stood up promptly. “Sure.”
She handed the water to Zavier and was about to step away when he asked, “Do you play?”
Skyler had been taught to play poker at a young age as a social skill by her family, but she didn’t enjoy it. “I know how.”
Zavier stood up, offering his seat. “Come on, play a couple of hands.”
Skyler was reluctant. “I’m not very good. What if I lose?”
Zavier shrugged. “So you lose, what’s the big deal?”
Steven chimed in, “Skyler, Zavier’s just worried you might be bored. He’s only asking you to play a few hands. Don’t let his sincere concern go unappreciated, okay?”
Skyler replied, “I’m not bored on my own, really.”
Zavier was firm. “If I say play, you play. What’s with all the excuses?”
Rosie, who had followed Lucas over, added, “Skyler, just play. It’s boring just sitting on the sidelines anyway.”
ཅ ཧ N ༤ ཨ ༤ ྃ ༠
Skyler looked at Zavier, about to protest, but before she could get a word out, he had pressed her down into a chair.
Resigned to her fate, Skyler sat down to play. She wasn’t sure if it was luck or something else, but whatever card she needed, someone would discard. As soon as she was ready to win, the player next to her threw out the exact card she needed.
Steven laughed. “No wonder Zavier wanted you in the game. Look at that luck – you’ve got the makings of a card shark.”
Zavier chuckled. “The way you guys are playing, I can’t bear to watch. How can you even give her credit?”