Page 63 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“San Francisco.”

“The sourdough bread or the Ghirardelli chocolate?”

She points to a photograph on her mantle. “Watching the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge.”

She’s standing on a beach with her arms spread wide and face tipped to the dying light. Orange and red hues add a golden tint to her rosy cheeks. “That is breathtaking.”

“Have you seen it?”

“I’m well-traveled.”

“What’s your favorite place?”

I sit next to her. “Right here.”

“Rainwater Bay?”

“Your living room.”

“Seriously?” Her gaze narrows. “I’m not falling for that.”

Slow and steady is the only way to win Zoe, so I scoot to the other end of the sofa and shuffle the deck of cards. “What should we play?”

“Texas Hold ‘em?”

“Are we gambling?”

“Only if you want to lose.” She takes the deck and shuffles the cards, dealing us each two. “I have M&M’s in the cabinet next to the refrigerator. We can use them as chips.”

“What’s the buy in?”

“No buy in, but if I win, we figure out a way to build thirty cabins.”

“If I win, you have to kiss me again.”

She inhales sharply but covers it with a cough. “I won’t lose.”

“We’ll see about that.” She steps back into the kitchen and grabs the M&M’s, dividing the bag equally between us.

Three hands in, she’s up by fifteen. “Are you sure you want to keep playing?” She wiggles her nose with the taunt.

“We’re just getting started sweetheart.”

She grimaces. “Don’t call me sweetheart.”

“You didn’t like Comet either. What endearments am I allowed?”

“None.”

“Nicknames are important in relationships.” I shuffle the deck and deal. I have a pair of twos. Heart, diamond.

“Five.” She places her bet.

“Call.” I add my M&M’s to the center of the table.

I flip the first three cards. Five and six of clubs, and an ace of hearts.

She adds another five M&M’s to the pile.