The Bluff (Graham Brothers, #2)(30)

“Does Mari have Jo for the rest of the week?” I ask.

“She does.” Tank smiles, the way he only does when it comes to Jo. “We had a great time, but she reminds me of my age. You ended up having an okay night.”

“Not terrible.” I shrug. I didn’t lose, but barely made more than I came with, which is fine by me. It’s not a big buy-in, and for all of us, it’s more about playing the game than winning some huge amount. I’ve never spent much more at poker than I would going to a movie and getting popcorn and a drink. Tonight, Chase shocked us all by winning. Winnie came in a close second, turning things around the last half of the night.

“I’m headed back to Austin tomorrow. Feel free to stop by when you're in town,” Tank continues. He must see the protest on my lips because he holds up his hands. “If you have time. No pressure. Per the usual, we’ll have Sunday brunch. And, of course, this place is all yours when Patty gets back or before.”

“Thanks, Pops.”

“Any more thoughts on where you want to live long-term?” He tries to hide the hope in his voice, but it shows in his eyes. “I’m happy to hold one of the lofts for you. Another one will be done next week.”

“Don’t hold it for me. I need something with more space. I’ll look soon.”

Soon is a great vague term.

Tonight is definitely not the time I want to discuss my living situation. I feel over-caffeinated and jumpy, despite drinking beer, not coffee. I also had a sip of Winnie’s jalapeno tequila when no one was watching. It was smooth and spicy perfection, which I’ll admit to no one.

I’m really starting to be intrigued by Winnie’s skill set. She played roller derby. She makes her own jalapeno tequila. She can talk to contractors about floor plans. She plays poker like a pro. She builds websites and apps.

What doesn’t she do?

Leave well enough alone, that’s what.

“James,” Collin calls, waving me over to the couch where he’s sitting far too close to Winnie for my liking.



“Come, sit,” Collin says. “Winnie was just showing us her mock-ups for the Dark Horse site.”

Oh, was she, now?

I give Winnie a long look. She’s showing someone else the site mock-up before me? She knows my family is involved, but I’m her boss. Dark Horse is my project. I don’t like being the last to know or even the second to know.

“No, that’s okay,” Winnie says. “I’ll show him tomorrow. It’s late.”

Winnie grabs for her laptop, but Collin does too. Now, they’re wrestling over it, with Winnie almost in my idiot brother’s lap as he tries to lift the computer out of her reach. He’s laughing, face just inches from hers, which is enough to get my hackles up. But Winnie isn’t smiling, and it’s this that has me crossing the room before I can think better of it.

I snatch the laptop from both of them and then force Collin to move when I wedge myself between him and Winnie.

“Hey!” Collin protests, but he moves down as Harper relocates to the floor, sitting cross-legged and leaning on Chase’s legs.

Now, I’m the one almost sitting on top of Winnie, fighting her grabby hands for the laptop. And, yeah, there is something I like a little too much about this. Good thing I stepped in and shoved Collin out of the way.

Winnie’s small hands close over mine, tugging. “James—not tonight. I’ll show you tomorrow.”

“You showed everyone else tonight.”

“Only because I begged,” Harper says.

Capturing Winnie’s eye, I loosen my hold on the laptop. “If I let go, do you promise not to run away?”

“Yes?”

I don’t move for another few beats, and neither does she. I can smell her sweet scent, making me think of Big Mo’s desserts. Her hair tickles my forearm, and my heartbeat is what I’m pretty sure medical dramas refer to as thready.

I release the laptop. Winnie slams it closed, but when she tries to get up, I put a big hand over her thigh. Not pushing, but with enough of a press to make her pause. And now my hand is stuck. Because it’s half on her ridiculous anchor dress and half on her bare thigh.

I’m not sure which is worse.

I only know my hand will not move. Winnie is perfectly still. She’s a baby gazelle hiding motionless in the high grasses, and I’m the prowling lion.

Until Winnie clears her throat, and suddenly I’m not a jungle cat but a scared kitten, jerking my hand away from her leg.

I’d all but forgotten the rest of my family and am suddenly aware of them all watching this exchange. “Show me,” I demand, needing to regain control.

Winnie looks up at my gruff demand, biting her lip. “I really don’t think—”

“Now.”

With a huff, she opens her laptop. “Fine. But remember, I wanted to wait.”

“Start with the first one you showed us,” Collin says.

For a moment, I forget Winnie’s body on mine as nervous energy pinballs through my body.

A website appears on the screen, and I suck in a breath. The banner along the top reads Dark Horse Brewery, but the name is the only thing familiar. My eyes dart over the page as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing. Sweat pops up along my lower back and forehead, and I find myself clenching my jaw.