Betting On Love Read Free Page A

that I can’t deal with. Why am I rambling on? You don’t even know me.”
    â€œNo, but I know this story,” he said, reflecting on Kenya and Maurice’s relationship. “But if you’re meant to be with him, you’ll get past this.”
    Jade folded her arms underneath her ample bosom and raised her eyebrows. “Hell will freeze over before I give him another chance.”
    â€œI’ve heard this before.”
    â€œOh? Not from me.”
    â€œNo, from my brother’s wife. She walked in on him having sex with another woman, and nine years later they were back together.”
    â€œNo offense, but your sister-in-law is a fool. If a dog bites you once, he’ll do it again.”
    Before James could respond, the waitress walked over and took their orders. To his surprise, Jade ordered a hearty steak dinner with a loaded baked potato. Though she had drama and anger written all over her face, he wanted to take her into his bed and burn off every calorie of the meal.
    â€œSo, what are you going to do about him?” James asked after the waitress had walked away.
    She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. The smart thing to do is to just walk away, and I would if I didn’t have so much of my money tied up in his business. You know what, I don’t want to waste another moment talking about him. I came here to have a good time.”
    â€œAre you having a good time?”
    Her eyes sparkled as she sucked on her bottom lip, something James would’ve loved to do. “I think it’s getting much better.”
    After dinner Jade and James headed out to explore downtown Las Vegas. The upper nineties had burned the desert earlier that day, but now it was much cooler. She shivered as they walked, taking in the lights and sounds, and James draped his arm around her since he didn’t have a jacket to offer her.
    â€œIt sure does cool off quickly here,” she remarked, falling into his embrace. “If I were at home, it would still be warm and the humidity would be unbearable.”
    â€œWhere is home?” he asked.
    â€œHotlanta.”
    â€œStop. I’m originally from Atlanta.”
    â€œMaybe that’s why we connected,” she said. “I knew there was something I liked about you.”
    James beamed and squeezed her a little tighter. She felt so good, soft and curvy like a woman should feel. Though he could tell she spent time in a gym, she didn’t overdo it and try to become skin and bones. “Yeah, right. I bet if I lived in Atlanta, you’d pass me by on Peachtree Street without giving me a second glance.”
    Jade giggled. “Maybe, because you don’t see too many straight men walking up and down Peachtree. Where do you live now?”
    â€œCharlotte.”
    â€œOh,” she said, then looked pensive for a moment.
    â€œBad memories in Charlotte?”
    â€œWe’re supposed to be expanding the restaurant and opening up one in Charlotte because Johnson and Wales is there.”
    â€œWe? As in you and Mr. Cheater?”
    â€œYes. But that’s not going to happen. Not with my help, anyway.”
    â€œWhat’s the name of this restaurant? When I go home, I want to make sure I don’t patronize it.”
    â€œChez Marcel.”
    â€œStephen Carter’s place?”
    â€œOh God, you know him? Please don’t tell me you two are friends.”
    James shook his head furiously. “How did a woman like you hook up with a jackass like that?”
    Jade chewed her bottom lip. “I wonder about that myself. How do you know him?”
    James sighed and led her over to a bench. “My mother has a bakery on Auburn Avenue. She trained Stephen when he was a young pastry chef fresh out of culinary school. He couldn’t cook worth a damn, but he charmed her. Then he stole her recipes. He tried to open a bakery and failed miserably. His next act was to reinvent himself as this hip