Paradise Lost (Private 9)

"What?" I said.

"Blow. You're such good luck, just blow," Gage demanded.

I looked at Noelle, eyebrows raised. "I'm not even going to go to the obvious joke," she said.

230

Gage rolled his eyes. "Blow on the dice, and I'll give you ten percent."

"I'll take that action," I said.

I blew. Gage rolled a six and won five thousand dollars. An extra five hundred for me. I looked around and saw Sawyer getting up from the roulette table, about to slink off as always. I lurched forward and grabbed his arm.

"Wait. Do you have any chips left?"

He looked at me as if I were speaking Greek. "A few."

"Good. Give them to me," I said.

Sawyer looked around at the group, most of whom were watching curiously. He handed me five red chips, worth fifty dollars each. I kissed all of them, then handed the pile back to him.

"Here. Bet on a number. Any number you want," I said.

Sawyer hesitated. "That's two hundred and fifty dollars on one bet. Are you insane?"

"If you lose, I'll pay you back," I said. "If you win, you keep it."

"Wow. Look who's made of money all of a sudden," Noelle commented.

"Shut up," I told her. Then I realized I'd probably pay for that one later. "Just do it," I said to Sawyer.

He took a deep breath and blew it out. "All right then." He placed the chips in a stack on the number thirteen.

"Interesting choice," Upton murmured.

Sawyer's face turned red, but he didn't look at us. Just stared at his chips.

231

"Two hundred and fifty on lucky number thirteen!" the pit boss crowed. "Any other bets?"

No one moved. No one wanted to mess with the karma.

"All righty, no more bets!" the pit boss announced.

He reached up and spun the wheel. I crossed my fingers on both hands, closed my eyes, and prayed.

Please let it be thirteen. Please let it be thirteen. Please let it be--

"Thirteen! "We have a winner!"

"No way!" Sawyer cried.

The cheers filled the main cabin, and everyone around us was slapping backs and hugging and shouting in disbelief. Upton grabbed me up in his arms and kissed me.

"That's my girl!" he cheered. My heart practically burst when he said it. There was no doubt anymore. I was falling for this guy. Big-time.

And at that moment, feeling as lucky as I did, I was totally fine with falling.