The Sure Thing Read Free Page A

the casino feeling calm and happy.  She could do this.  Her problems were in the past, she had no desire to gamble.  She was just having a good time with a beautiful, funny, incredibly sexy man.  He was a dentist, for Christ's sake . W hat harm could come to her?
    They made their way to the table games and Becca sat back with Katie watch ing the men play blackjack.  Nick kept looking at her instead of paying attention to his cards , and as a result he was losing his shirt.   She wanted to tell him to quit , but he looked like he was having fun.  She had to remember that most people were able to gamble without feeling panicked, and buzzy, and sweaty—they were able to stop when they felt like it, without the gnawing grip of compulsion souring their stomach.  She looked at her watch.  It was ten-thirty.  If she could make it another half-hour, she'd tell Nick it was getting late and she needed to get home.  It was okay.  She could do this.
    Becca's thoughts were interrupted by a loud, communal whoop of celebration.  Nick hit twenty-one after doubling down.  He was grinning, his face flushed with excitement.  He caught Becca's eye and winked as he cashed out his chips, leaving the table as the others moaned in protest.  “I know when to quit, you losers,” he called over his shoulder as he led Becca to the bar in the middle of the floor.  “Would you like something to drink?”
    “No, I'm fine,” Becca said, straining her neck to see how far away they were from the exit.  She'd kept her eyes peeled for exit doors all night . I t helped calm her nerves.
    “Well, come on, then.  I need you to help me double my money.”
    “Oh, no,” Becca said quickly.  “I'm not a gambler.”
    “Come on, you're my good luck charm.  I've never won in a casino in my life.  I can't break my streak now.”  He led them to a long row of slot machines, blinking and chirping their calls over the canned country music in the background.  Thick clouds of cigarette smoke made Becca's eyes water. 
    “Nick, I think I need to go home.”  But he was busy trying to insert his cash into the stubborn eight-liner in front of him, and he didn't hear her.  Once he finally got the money to go in, he sat on the black stool in front of the machine, and patted his knee.  “Come on, I need your help.  I've never played one of these things before.”
    “Neither have I.”  Her hands began to sweat. 
    “Really?” he asked, incredulous.  “How long did you say you've lived here?  I can't believe you've never gambled.”
    “Are you calling me a liar?” 
    “What?  No, of course not, I just--”
    “I need to go home.”  Her head craned towards the exit. 
    “Umm, okay...sure.”  His words were careful, and they made her angry.
    “Not you, I'll go by myself.”
    “Becca...”
    “No, you should stay here with your friends.  I can catch a cab.”
    Nick stood and took a step towards her.  She resisted the urge to step back.  “Becca, I brought you here, I'll take you home.”
    “No, no, I'm sorry...I'm just tired, and really stressed out about work.  I'll go, and you stay here and have fun.  I...I had a nice time.  Thanks for inviting me.”  She was already creeping backwards, her purse tucked tightly under her arm.  “I'll see you around.  At the wedding for sure.  Thanks again...I'll floss tonight, I promise.”  She turned then, and felt his wide, confused eyes following her as she hurried to the glass doors by the player ’ s club desk.  I'll floss tonight?  Her eyes blurred with unshed tears.  So much for coming across as a strong, worthy woman.
    She dove into the first cab she saw and hunched her body in the corner of the backseat.  After giving the cabbie her address, she proceeded to cry in earnest, her tears coming in a torrent, as if they might never stop.  She tried to analyze where all this emotion was coming from . Was it her fear of being in the casino, the blissful but equally