Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo

let go—he refused to believe that was anything but real. And even though he knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere, he wanted more of that.
    Like I had with Bailey?
    He’d chased her. They were young and so different, but he’d wanted her and didn’t give up until she gave in. And then he’d gone and fallen in love. Thought she had too. He would have given her anything, but she’d obviously wanted someone more than him. Despite the ring he’d put on her finger and the changes he made for her.
    He should run. Run right now, but damn if he didn’t feel like it. He knew what he was doing. He’d never let a woman get to him again like Bailey had.
    “Where you at over there, man?” Jace interrupted his thoughts.
    “Nowhere. So what’s up? I’m itching to do something.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been inactive for so long; he didn’t count fishing or going out to Lucky’s.
    Breck was restless.
    “I feel like an ass because you came all the way out here, but I’m slammed right now. I have some work to do on this case and some stuff to take care of at home.”
    “No worries. I get it.”
    “We’re still on for poker at Rowan’s though. I can’t wait to kick your ass.”
    Breck laughed at that. Hard. “You wish, man.” He pushed to his feet. “I’m going to head out. I’ll see you soon. Make sure you bring your wallet and don’t feel too attached to the cash inside.” Though he knew they wouldn’t really play for money, that didn’t stop him from giving Jace a hard time.
    The other man stood too, stopped Breck from leaving by saying, “Hey…about Rowan. I was just giving you hell. If you’ve changed your mind and you think you might be interested in her…”
    Breck didn’t speak immediately, let Jace’s statement hang in the air. It surprised him that Jace went there. Wondered what would make him think Breck might want something more.
    Did he? He thought for a second. No—he loved his life and the freedom it allowed him. He didn’t want that to change.
    “I think you’ve been working a little too hard. You’re getting delusional.” Breck winked. They shook hands and Jace walked him to the door.
    “Catch ya later,” Jace said.
    “You, too. Bye Betsy.” The woman gave him a wave in response and Breck left, wondering if Rowan would let him drag her out of the house.
    The whole way back to the bed and breakfast, Breck tried to think of some way to get Rowan to go do something with him. Because he was bored. Because he didn’t know the town very well—which was a ridiculous excuse, since it was so small. But he knew he’d need some manpower behind him if he wanted to get her out, because Rowan had been standoffish with him since the night they went to Lucky’s.
    Probably because I never know when to stop. The flirting had been stupid, but he’d enjoyed it. And he still owed her for getting the upper hand when they were flirting too. Breck always cashed in on his chips.
    When he walked inside the house, she was just putting the vacuum away. “Let’s go do something.” He leaned against the wall next to her.
    “What? I don’t have time. I’m trying to get the house together. Remember? We have visitors coming.”
    He didn’t call her on the use of we .
    “Not for a couple days, right? I’m going stir crazy.”
    She crossed her arms and he waited for the foot tapping to start. Such a mother hen, she was.
    “Why is that? Because there aren’t ladies here for you to choose from?”
    Breck leaned forward. “You keep bringing that up and I’m going to be forced to believe you’re jealous, Houdini.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I have never met a man more immature than you. And I’m heading out. I need to go grocery shopping.”
    That wasn’t what he had in mind, but at this point, he’d take it. “I’ll come too.”
    Surprised sparked in her eyes. “You don’t want to go grocery shopping with me.”
    “Of course I do.” Which was only a partial lie. Grocery