Poker Face by Adriana Law Page B

they opened the screen door, “Mackenzie… thanks again for the helpful tip.
The ranch is…. quite impressive just as you promised. I’ll be in touch.”
     
    “I figured you’d be interested Christopher. Glad I could help.
Golf next week, don’t forget.”
     
    How much of an ass would he make of himself if he took a swing at
his own father?
     
    Drew expected Megan to follow the guy out on the front porch, but
she didn’t, stopping at the threshold instead.
     
    ‘ You don’t even own the ranch Filly. You’re the butt end of a
cruel joke’ it would all be over if he could make his mouth say the words.
His conscience would be clear. His life would go back to the way it was before
the stupid bet. He’d continue to save his money, and someday he’d make an offer
Stratford couldn’t refuse. What did he have to lose if he dropped the mega
bomb, right here, right now?
     
    The guy paused and lowered his voice his smoldering gaze never
leaving Megan. “I’d like it if you’d join me for dinner tonight, uh… to discuss
the ranch.”
     
    The idiot was basically undressing her with his eyes, right there
in front of everyone. What the hell would he do if he ever got her alone? Drew’s
narrowed gaze slid to his father in question. What the hell was he up to? What
game was he playing?
     
    Megan glanced briefly back at Drew and his father, while they all
waited for her reply. The guy reached up and loosened the knot in his gray tie
obviously having difficulty breathing.
     
    Strangely, Drew felt the same suffocating feeling. Good Lord
Filly, answer the man!
     
    “I guess… dinner would be a good idea, since we still have some
things to settle before our attorneys take a look at the papers.”
     
    A corner of the guy's mouth quirked up with relief, his eyes
bright with hope. You idiot, she’s only agreed to dinner not marriage.
     
    “6:00?” the guy asked.
     
    Megan nodded, and closed the door as the guy strolled towards his
red convertible.
     
    “Breakfast is ready,” Tink shouted causing Drew to almost jump out
of his own skin. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he so jumpy? So she
had a date. He watched with what he could only assume was the same dopey-eyed
expression as she passed him and his father with a huge smile on her face.
Hell, honestly, she looked too giddy about her new dinner date for his comfort.
Did she fall for every guy that showed a slight interest? Suddenly, Drew was no
longer hungry; in fact, his gut felt like he’d swallowed a swarm of angry bees
and he wondered if he was coming down with Birdie’s bug.
     
    “Sometimes all a stubborn man needs is a nudge in the right
direction” His father winked.
     
    So that’s what this was, a nudge in the direction his father
wanted him to go in by making him jealous . Obviously the man didn’t know
his own son’s restraint.
     
    *****
    Forks clinked against ceramic plates. Other than that everyone ate
in silence, a complete one eighty from all their pervious meals where
conversation, laughter and stories flowed freely. The quiet could be
contributed to Tink and Griffin’s absence, but then again Griffin never talked.
It was still odd without him there.
     
    One was left to wonder if Tink’s disappearance act right before
everyone sat down to eat was due to the company at the table.
    Megan took a bite of her scrambled eggs. She couldn’t help
occasionally glancing across the table at Drew and his father, side by side the
resemblance between father and son was scary, both had dark handsome features
and strong jaw lines, the same brown eyes that seemed to swallow the light,
thin builds, that’s where the similarities ended. Mackenzie sat back
comfortably in his chair as if he was in no hurry to go anywhere, while Drew
leaned forward, anxious and stiff pushing his food around on his plate not
eating it.
    She remembered the way Drew had joked with Birdie and the others
before, the way he’d tossed pieces of biscuit up catching the