Love in a Nutshell - Janet Evanovich [72]
AFTER SIX days with Kate under his roof, Matt was having a hard time imagining her not being there. Unfortunately, the man-and-poodle relationship remained nothing to brag about.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me being here on card night?” Kate called from the kitchen. “I could always meet up with Ella for a girls’ night out.”
“You’re cool here,” Matt said as he stowed beer by the poker table set up in his living room. “Chuck likes having you around.”
Plus, Matt didn’t want Kate too far out of sight. He remained spooked by last Thursday’s near miss, and he flat-out enjoyed her company.
Kate came into the room with her dog trotting after her. She handed Matt a bowl of potato chips, and he stuck them on the table.
“I’m glad Chuck’s fond of me,” she said. “Probably best that I stay in tonight, anyway. After all the fries I chowed at work today, if I ate any more bar food, I’d never fit in these jeans again.”
“Couldn’t have that,” Matt said, eyeing both the jeans and the hot curves that filled them. For two days, Matt had fought hard not to give in to temptation and touch her. He was done fighting.
Matt took a step toward her. Stella growled. He glared at the poodle.
Kate couldn’t help a little smile. “I’ll go grab that sandwich tray.”
She cruised into the kitchen, but Stella kept eyeballing Matt.
Figuring it couldn’t hurt, he tossed the dog a potato chip. The poodle crunched through it in three chomps. She wagged her tail at Matt, clearly seeking more. Just to see if the chip-eating had been a fluke, he gave her another. It disappeared immediately.
Matt smiled. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
A knock sounded at the front door, and Bart and Travis came in. After they dumped their jackets on the sofa, Bart handed out cigars.
Kate popped out of the kitchen with the sandwich tray. While she said hello to Travis and Bart, Matt put the tray up high enough that Chuck, who was faking a nap by the fireplace, couldn’t grab it.
Kate spotted the cigars and wrinkled her nose. “Do you guys really smoke those things?”
“Sure,” Matt said, though his usually just smoldered in the ashtray.
“Gross.”
Travis cut his eyes to her. “Ever tried one? You should before dissing them.”
Kate laughed. “Thanks, but I’m still recovering from the beer tasting. I’ll just mosey on into the kitchen and think healthy thoughts while I eat my salad. Come on, Stella, let’s go.”
Stella stared at her owner, but didn’t move from Matt’s side.
Kate motioned to her. “Come on, girl.” When Stella stayed put, she said to Matt, “It looks like you two are getting along better.”
“We’re working on it,” Matt said. One chip at a time. “Don’t worry about her. She can hang with us for a while.”
Kate gave the poodle one last, speculative look and headed back into the kitchen alone. Five minutes later, Matt’s brother-in-law, Jack, arrived with a bottle of Irish whiskey in hand.
“Let’s get rolling,” Matt said. “Todd called this afternoon. He can’t make it. TJ has him too sleep-deprived to function.”
“Which is why he should be here,” Jack said. “We could use a donkey.”
Bart poured everyone a shot. “We still have you.” For a second, Jack looked as sharp-edged as his red brush cut, but then he joined in on the laughter. After that, the ceremonial opening whiskey was downed, some bull was shot, and stacks of quarters were lined up.
Matt slid the dealer button in front of himself on the table and shuffled the deck.
“Texas Hold ’Em,” he announced to the players.
Kate wandered back into the room. “Is Stella still here?”
Matt grinned. “Right next to me. Jealous?”
“Possibly.”
Matt chose to take that as a sign that she wanted his company, and not the poodle’s.
“Have you ever played poker?”
She paused. “Once.” Maybe no one else in the room could read her, but Matt knew she was messing with the truth. Kate’s tell was a subtle widening of her eyes.
“So, Kate, want to join in?” Jack asked in a casual voice.
“I guess I could. I mean, if it wouldn’t slow you guys down too much?”
“Never!” Jack said.
He clearly thought he’d landed his donkey,