End of Day (Jack & Jill 1)

“Yes,” she whispered.

“I won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Then let me prove it.”

She slipped on her shoes. “I’m hungry. Let’s go snack while we wait to have dinner.”

Luke stood and fastened his jeans. “Do you realize I think about you all the time? When we first met I couldn’t wait to get away from you and the moment you were gone I couldn’t wait to see you again. You already control my thoughts … does it really matter if I let you control my body at this point?”

Jessica opened the door and glanced back over her shoulder. “So you’re obsessed with me?”

Luke smirked. “Yes.”

She shrugged. “I can live with that.”

*

“Okay, gentlemen, place your bets.” Kelly grinned, spinning her pasta around her fork as they enjoyed an early dinner.

“Bets?” Luke’s face twisted in confusion.

“Yes. Will Jess finish in first place tomorrow?”

Jessica rolled her eyes.

“Have you ever finished in first place?” Gabe asked.

She shook her head.

“I always beat her, and I’ve never taken first place. But Jess always says she could finish first if she wanted to, she just doesn’t care what place she takes.”

“It’s true.” Jessica shrugged.

“Bullshit. It’s a competition. The whole point is to try and finish first.” Kelly’s voice peaked a few pitches higher in disbelief.

“A thousand dollars says Jessica finishes first tomorrow.” Luke looked up from his plate at three sets of eyes gawking at him.

“A thousand dollars?” Gabe asked.

Luke stared at Jessica. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Yes. You in?” Luke challenged.

Gabe shook his head and grinned. “Sorry, Jess, no offense but I can’t say no. This is money in my pocket.”

“I’m in too. But only if she loses. If by some freak-of-nature chance she wins, I don’t really have the thousand dollars.” Kelly giggled.

Everyone laughed, except Jessica. “What’s in it for me?”

“A medal and bragging rights.” Kelly winked.

Jessica returned her glare to Luke. He was using her to hustle his best friend. “The bet has to be two grand and Luke gives me half if he wins.”

“What?” Kelly exclaimed.

Gabe chewed on the inside of his cheek, eyes flitting between Jessica and Luke. “What do you say, babe? Do I have anything to worry about?”

Kelly shook her head and grinned. “Jess is full of shit. Take his money.”

Luke leaned back in his chair. “If I lose, Ms. Day, you’ll be paying half.”

She shoved another bite of pasta into her mouth, already having eaten everyone else under the table. “Deal,” she mumbled.

Gabe checked his watch. “We’re getting to bed early. But you two feel free to order dessert, drink too much, and stay up late. By this time tomorrow you’ll both be passed out and two grand lighter.”

Kelly kissed Jessica on the cheek. “Sweet dreams, hun. No pressure.”

As soon as they walked away, Jessica grabbed the rest of Kelly’s pasta and started in on it. Luke eyed her.

“Don’t judge me, Jones.”

“Why would I judge you? Just because you’re eating your body weight in pasta tonight, and I have a sizable bet placed on you finishing first tomorrow?”

She shrugged. “It was your idea, not mine. But for what it’s worth, I count cards too if you want to take me to Vegas and use me for some more quick cash.”

He chuckled. “You don’t count cards.”

She paused, spaghetti hanging down her chin.

He looked to the ceiling with a slight head shake. “Of course you do.”

After slurping the last piece of spaghetti, she wiped her mouth and folded her hands over her stuffed stomach. Their table was off in a corner away from other patrons. Jessica took a quick glance around then rested her gaze on Luke.

“The incessant thoughts in your brain are deafening, Jones. Just ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

“I don’t know, it’s your brain. But you always look at me with this strange curiosity. I suppose you’ll say you’re studying me, but I sense it’s more than that. So what is it?”

“Tell me about your training.”

“For tomorrow?”

“No, the training that led to a broken pool stick at my parents’ house the morning I woke you up.”

“You mean the information that I can tell you but then I’ll have to kill you?”

Luke smiled. “Yes.”

Jessica nodded. “Well, we all have to die somehow.” She took a sip of water. “Okay, here we go … Once upon a time there was a DEA agent who went undercover to bring down a powerful drug lord. Two days before he was going to have the evidence to bring the whole operation down, his cover was blown. Three hours later his pregnant wife was abducted from their home. A week later her body washed up on the shore. The shitty part? The DEA agent knew his cover was going to be blown and he requested his wife be taken into protective custody. His request was denied based on lack of evidence that there was an eminent danger.”

She stared at Luke, waiting for him to process everything.