All In by Aleah Barley

floral.
    He missed the scent of oranges.
    “I like how you normally look,” Ryan said. “What does ‘Veritas’ mean?”
    “Veritas?” She frowned. “It means truth. Why?”
    “It was on your T-shirt the first day.”
    “It’s Harvard’s motto.”
    “And yesterday’s shirt?” Ryan asked. “What does ‘Fiat Lux’ mean?”
    “Let there be light. It’s the motto for UCLA.” Daisy was staring at him. “You like my T-shirts?”
    “Yup. Today’s didn’t say anything. It had pine trees on it.”
    “Giant sequoias,” Daisy corrected. “It’s from Yosemite. I presented at a conference near there last year. It’s beautiful.”
    His little bunny really was a genius. Ryan nodded, a strange sense of pride filling his chest. He’d bought her book but he hadn’t read much past the first chapter. Now he wanted to read everything she’d ever written—even if he only understood half of it—and sit in the front row at her next presentation.
    Of course, if he told her that, she’d probably kick him in the shins and run away.
    What kind of woman didn’t want a relationship? All of Ryan’s ex-fiancées had been desperate for a ring on their fingers and a claim on his heart…right up until they realized it meant being stuck with a selfish asshole for the rest of their lives. Daisy just wanted to skip to the final scene and push him away.
    He held out a hand. “Ready to go downstairs?”
    “I’d rather eat ground glass.” She took his arm and they walked toward the elevator.
    Ryan walked.
    Daisy stumbled and clutched at his side. “It’s the shoes,” she complained. “Lily said that any sister of hers had to be able to walk in high heels, but it’s harder than it looks.”
    “Want to go back for flats?”
    “All I’ve got is a pair of turquoise Converse sneakers. They don’t exactly go with Dolce & Gabbana, even though I’m pretty sure this dress is a knockoff.”
    If the heels meant she’d be reaching for Ryan’s arm all night, then he liked them. They stopped in front of the elevator doors and Daisy steadied herself while Ryan hit the button to go down. “You went all out,” he said.
    Daisy shrugged. “You said it was important. Is it for the case?” She threaded her fingers through Ryan’s. “Is it dangerous?”
    “No, I would never—” Ryan swallowed his words. Edgar Blethins had never shown any tendency toward violence, but every undercover assignment had some element of danger involved. He couldn’t guarantee Daisy’s safety one hundred percent. What he could do was mitigate the risk.
    “No one’s going to lay a hand on you.” If they did, he’d kill them. He’d left his gun locked up in his hotel room safe with his badge, but he could do some real damage with a cake knife. Or maybe he’d just borrow Bullet’s baseball bat. “Here’s the plan: we go in, we reconnoiter, we grab some snacks, we go back to your room, and I teach you not to draw on an inside straight.”
    “I would never do that. It’s statistically unlikely to result in success.”
    “Fine.” Ryan rolled his eyes. “I’ll teach you how to beat a guy without leaving any marks.”
    Daisy grinned, as if she thought he was joking. “Could prove useful with the undergrads.”
    Thankfully, the elevator door dinged open before Ryan had to think of a response. They got in and traveled down eight flights to the casino’s main floor and the tournament reception in silence.
    Once the doors opened, the pounding music took over and they didn’t have to talk while they walked over to the small tables near the bar. Instead, Ryan could enjoy the feeling of having Daisy tucked against his side like she belonged there.
    Like this was a real date.
    When he had her seated in a tall bar stool—and off her treacherous heels—he leaned in close. “What do you want to drink?”
    “Vodka and tonic,” Daisy said. “Slice of lime.”
    Nice drink. Ryan nodded and went to order at the bar. Then he leaned back against the