Unforgettable by Lacey Wolfe Page B

least I’m living a
little, right?”
    “ I guess. What’s Neil up to
tonight?”
    She smiled, thinking about him calling
her earlier, nervous about asking for a guys night. “It’s poker
night at The Gentlemans’ Club and he asked if I was all right with
him going.”
    “ You are?” Jamie raised an
eyebrow.
    As best as she could be. “I’m not crazy
about the idea, but I also don’t want him to change his life for
me. It’s an adjustment for us both to be in a relationship.
Besides, it’s a poker game and I trust him.”
    “ Want me to go keep an eye
on him? I could look for my own man at the same time.”
    Yes, please. Wait, did that mean she didn’t trust him? “No.
Stay away from there tonight.”
    “ If I must.” Jamie groaned.
“I’m never going to meet a man of my own.”
    “ Stop trying so hard. After
all, I wasn’t looking and I found one.”
    * * *
    Neil grabbed his brandy from the bar
and glanced around for the table Ian had told him to sit at.
Several of his friends were there and they planned to have a good
time playing poker.
    He spotted Keith and went his
way.
    “ Hey, man.” Keith stood and
put his hand out to shake it.
    “ Good to see you. It’s been
awhile. How’s life?” Neil shook his hand and took a
seat.
    “ Great. Enjoying a night
out. Work has been hell.”
    “ I hear ya. But in the end
it’s always worth it.” Neil took a sip of his beverage. “Hopefully
this is a good game. Time for a little fun.”
    “ Oh yeah, and the women.
Man, they are hot tonight.”
    Two hands slammed down on Neil’s
shoulders. “This man is spoken for.”
    Neil chuckled as Ian released
him.
    “ You’ve been wrangled in?”
Keith asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
    With pride, he said, “I
have.”
    “ Next round of drinks are on
the house,” Ian called out. “My man here is spoken for. A love
connection found right here at my club. Let’s
celebrate!”
    An hour and several drinks later, Neil
had won a few rounds of poker and couldn’t wipe the grin off his
face. He didn’t usually drink more than one, maybe two drinks when
he went out, but since this was a celebration, he’d gone a little
overboard and now was feeling the effects.
    “ Can I get you another?” the
waitress asked.
    “ No, no. I’m good. Real
good.”
    Keith laughed. “I think we’re all real
good right about now. Between you and Ian buying rounds, we’re all
toasted.”
    Neil agreed. The mood in the club
tonight was happy. A few poker games were still going on, but for
the most part everyone was mingling. Ian had said several times
that they needed more nights like this one. It was much more laid
back. The alcohol helped.
    “ I think I’ve lost enough
money tonight. Think I’ll start looking for a lady.” Keith got up.
“Congrats, man. Perhaps I’ll be next to celebrate.”
    Neil smiled and wondered what kind of
celebration they’d have if he actually married Krista. Things were
moving in that direction. He wanted to spend the rest of his life
with her, but the marriage part was slightly scary.
    He couldn’t wait for this weekend when
he got to meet her son. If this went well, he knew they were on
their way to a happy life. As much as he hated to admit it, he was
nervous about the kid. Neil was an only child, and didn’t have much
experience to date with kids. EJ was older, so maybe it wouldn’t be
too hard.
    “ I hate to hear you’re
taken. I never even got a chance with you.” Beth plopped down in
the seat next to him. “We could change that. She never has to know. My lips are
zipped—well, only for telling, otherwise my mouth is wide
open.”
    Neil shook his head and rolled his
eyes. In some ways he was glad to be done with this lifestyle. A
few weeks ago he would’ve seen just how wide her mouth would
open.
    “ I’m gonna have to turn that
offer down. My lady takes very good care of me.” Krista in her red
dress flashed through his mind. “I’m a happily taken
man.”
    His cell phone