The Gamble: A Novel by Xavier Neal Page A

tug off the printed shirt to replace it with the other one lingering on my bed. “I don't wanna date Warren.”
     
    “Why not?”
     
    I swipe the lacy top into my possession. “If we ignore the simple principle of not wanting to fuck up our friendship, there's just...something missing from Warren. There's not exactly an abundance of chemistry.”
     
    “Maybe there is and you haven't taken the time to discover it.”
     
    “Doubtful. I guess, he's more golf clap than thunder clap. Loafers and pet turtles. Double check your rear view mirror three times before backing out of the driveway.”
     
    “So...he's too safe for you?”
     
    “I guess. I kinda want someone who's willing to take some risks. Take the shot that's on fire. Wait outside all night of a hotel because you heard the white power ranger you worshipped as a kid booked a room. Jump out of a plane.”
     
    In a panicked voice, she pleads, “Please don't jump out of a plane.”
     
    “Luca said it's not as scary as most people think.”
     
    “ He is scarier than most people think.” Her retort makes me roll my eyes. “Anyway, you're basically telling me your type is your two best male friends smashed together.”
     
    A crooked smile slips on my face. “That sounds about right.”
     
    Instead of commenting on the newly established information, she walks over and tugs my low v-cut down to expose more cleavage. “Just promise me one thing.”
     
    When she steps back, I lift my eyebrows in question.
     
    “Promise me you won't go all Dawson's Creek and fall for Luca.”
     
    The knock at our front door grabs my attention. In one swift motion I grab my cell phone and matching black wristlet. “Are we sure Luca would be Dawson and not Pacey?”
     
    Marie frowns. “It doesn't matter which one is which-”
     
    “I mean it matters a little-”
     
    “It doesn't,” she fusses following me towards the door.
     
    Come on. It totally does.
     
    “It really doesn't. Either way, just don't do it. It's only going to end in flames. Or tears. Or flames, tears and a pint of cookies and cream.”
     
    With one hand on the knob, I turn and sigh, “You can sleep easy, Marie. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. It's never going to happen.”
     
    Let me reiterate that for you. Hooking up with Luca is never going to happen.
     
    Twisting the front door open, I'm surprised to see Luca's perfectly cut face freshly shaven, hair newly cut and slightly damp, in a pair of dark jeans with a black fitted long sleeve shirt gripping his muscles mercilessly.
     
    Fuck. I forgot how good he looks when he cleans up.
     
    The bouquet of dandelions he's gripping renders me utterly speechless.
     
    Don't tell me I'm in trouble...I know that. One look at him like this and I know that.
     
    Marie's voice faintly says from behind, “Flames, tears, and ice cream.”
     
    “Hey,” Luca greets me with a bit of a quiver in his voice.
     
    That's new.
     
    “Hey.”
     
    “You look...” The rest of the sentence seems to lose focus as he does. I give him the moment I already stole to admire me in my tight jeans and top. While it's nothing special in my book, Luca's inability to coherently continue has me second guessing the power of my attire.
     
    I'm sure this is all part of his twelve step get her into bed program he uses on most women. The blue eyed dreamy look is definitely killer. I'll give him points for that.
     
    Luca's luminous leering lifts upward and the aroused look lingering in his eyes sucks the air out of my lungs.  “You look hot.”
     
    “Romantic,” Marie mutters from behind me.
     
    “Like....just...unbelievably hot. Do you know how hot you look?”
     
    I playfully smirk. “I can guess.”
     
    “You um...” His tongue wets his lips. “You....just...absolutely fucking hot.”
     
    “Making Shakespeare proud one f-bomb at a time,” my roommate sneers.
     
    He clears his throat and looks around me. “Hey Marie.”
     
    “Luca.”
     
    Now