Betting On Love Read Free Page B

restaurateur, offering overpriced food and fake ambiance. Buppies love it, but I think he’s the biggest asshole in Atlanta.”
    Jade couldn’t help but smile. Her gamble in Vegas was actually turning out to be a winning hand. “We should get him. Beat him at his own game and make him pay for what he’s done.”
    â€œI’m not in the revenge or restaurant business,” James said, pushing against his thighs.
    â€œThink about it. What are the chances that we’d meet thousands of miles away from Atlanta and have one enemy in common?”
    â€œListen, Jade, I know he broke your heart, but what happens when you get the ‘revenge’ that you want? Where does that leave you?”
    â€œWith my own restaurant and, hopefully, Stephen busing my tables.”
    â€œI’m not going to get involved. Sorry.”
    She stroked his arm. “Do it for your mother.”
    â€œThat was a low blow. My mom got over it and so did I. It might not hurt for you to try it.”
    Jade released his arm. “You’re right, and I apologize for trying to drag—”
    â€œMe into your mess. I know. Heard it all before.” James rose to his feet, suddenly wanting to pack it up and head home. “I tell you what, why don’t we head back to the casino and call it a night?”
    â€œWait,” she said. “Now, I know I projected my anger on you, but what is this that you’re giving me?”
    James turned and cast a sideways glance at Jade. “We all have baggage. I always meet women who are probably really nice but always want to play games. I’m too old for that.”
    â€œWhat did she do?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it.”
    Jade placed her hand on his shoulder. “Come on. I spent the night talking about Stephen. You could at least tell me one story.”
    What the hell, he thought. It’s not like I’m going to see her again. “My sister-in-law wanted to teach my brother a lesson when she thought that he’d cheated on her again. So, she tried to seduce me, caused a big riff between me and Mo. But everything is gravy now.”
    â€œYour sister-in-law sounds like a handful,” Jade said, thinking that that sounded like a Serena trick.
    â€œI love Kenya to death, but you women get emotional and start doing insane things. You’re beautiful, and any man would be lucky to have you on his arm,” James said. “Why waste your time on one who was stupid enough to let you go?”
    â€œFirst of all, I’m not a piece of arm candy, which is what you men seem to want. You all take us to a dark place because you play with our hearts and minds,” she snapped as she stood toe-to-toe with him.
    â€œWe don’t take. You women give it as long as he has the money, the looks, and the power. Maybe you and Stephen deserve each other.” He turned on his heels and stomped away.
    Standing on the sidewalk, Jade shook her head as she watched James stalk away. She had been so wrong about him, and to think she’d even considered sleeping with him. Besides, she was going to stick it to Stephen, and she didn’t need James Goings to help her do it. Who did he think he was, judging her because of what his sister-in-law had done? There were certainly worse things she could think of doing to Stephen, but all she wanted was to get her investment back.
    I’m not going to do this. I’m not going to ruin my vacation by thinking of Stephen or James, she thought as she headed toward the bus stop.

CHAPTER 4
    James didn’t bother going into the room where his brother and his friends were; he wanted to be alone, so he headed to his hotel suite. Honestly, he wanted to find Jade and apologize for what he’d said to her downtown. He was judging her for what Kenya had done, and that wasn’t fair. Still, what was it with women and wanting to get revenge for a broken heart? If he’d subscribed to