Chapter 2

“Happy birthday!”

Cole was startled for a second. Then, as if he'd suddenly remembered what day it was, he started clapping.

Everyone else followed.

Just like that, the wild night that was supposed to be my last night before marriage turned into my birthday party.

A few rounds of drinks later, the private room was loud with music, laughter, and the clatter of glasses.

I got up and walked over to Cole.

I reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a handful of bullets.

I should have known.

“Why?” I asked.

Cole smiled. “I knew you’d figure it out.”

He slipped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him.

His voice had gone rough with alcohol.

“Mia would've had to drink everything if she lost. Her liver isn't great.”

“If it had been you, you'd have done the same thing.”

I turned my head and stared at him.

I wanted to ask if he'd known what Mia's bet was from the beginning.

If he'd carried those extra bullets with him because he'd already planned for her to win.

But the question suddenly felt pointless.

I stood up and went to find Mia.

“Why?”

She looked at me.

The alcohol burned in her eyes.

“Becuase I love Cole. I knew he is your fiancé. But I'm not going to apologize to you.”

“I've given in to you for seven years, Grace.”

The answer was exactly what I'd expected.

Her attitude wasn't.

This was the woman who had been my best friend since childhood.

I tipped my head back and swallowed a long mouthful of whiskey.

Suddenly, everything around me felt ridiculous.

Like some cruel joke that had gone on for far too long.

I set down my glass and reached for the bottle again.

A pair of steady hands closed over mine.

Adrian was standing behind me.

I hadn't heard him come over.

He leaned down. His warm breath brushed my ear. “Got your answer?”

He paused. His voice was low.

“Then three days from now... We get married?”

I tilted my head back and looked at Adrian.

“You said a bet’s a bet. But my birthday just started. How are you so sure I've already lost?”

Adrian smiled. That sly little smile of his.

“It doesn't matter. I've waited seven years. I can wait one more day.”

I got to my feet and looked at Mia.

“Mia, I want to make a bet with you too.”

The music seemed to stop for half a second.

Everyone froze.

My two closest friends were the first to snap out of it. They immediately started cheering.

“She's right! Cole lost the wedding bet. Grace can win it back!”

“Exactly! I already bought that damn tux for the wedding. It'd be a shame to waste it. Come on, make another bet!”

But Cole's face changed instantly.

“Grace, don't.”

“I already said I'd honor the bet. We're getting married three years from now.”

Mia suddenly covered her mouth and gagged.

Cole immediately caught her.

Then he looked at me, his voice turning cold.

“She’s had too much to drink. Don't bet with her again.”

“If you really want to gamble, pick someone else.”

I watched him hold Mia steady.

Whatever hope I'd had left slowly drained away.

“Fine.”

I picked up the dice cup and shook it hard.

“Then I'll bet with you.”

“High or low?”

I stared straight into Cole's eyes.

For one stupid second, I felt like I was about to put everything on the line.

But there were no dice in the cup.

I wasn't really asking him to guess.

I was testing him.

If he was willing to bet with me.

If he was willing to give me even one fair chance.

I'd risk every bit of luck I had left to break Adrian's bet.

I'd wait three years for him.

Because when it came to love, weren't we all gamblers?

But Cole's expression only got darker. He looked at me with open disappointment.

Almost disgust.

“You lost, so now you're going to keep gambling until you finally win?”

“Grace, don't you even know how to lose with dignity?”