He dipped his chin. “Sure, boss man. Just thought I would tell you that everybody is placing bets.”
“And what bets are those?”
“Odds on when you and Ruby are going to admit that there’s more than just a baby going on here.”
I was caught off guard. “You guys have a pool?”
“Yes, sir.” He bobbed his head. “I say it won’t happen for another week, so if you can hold out for a bit longer, I could really use the five grand.”
My mouth fell open. “The pool has five grand in it? How much did people throw in?”
“Oh, only twenty bucks. It wasn’t a big risk.”
I did some quick math. “That’s two-hundred-and-fifty people.”
Cal merely shrugged. “What can I say? You guys are the talk of the casino.”
“Why? We’re not doing anything but having a baby.”
“Oh, it’s cute that you think that.” Cal made a clicking sound with his tongue. “You guys are the top entertainment at the Stone. You have been for months. Everybody is invested in the happily ever after.”
I was both emboldened and irritated by the simple declaration. “And what if there is no happily ever after?”
“Only one person put their money on the two of you never getting together.”
“And who is that?”
“Ryder Stone.”
It was like being kicked in the stomach. “He bet against his own daughter’s happiness?”
“He doesn’t seem to think she’s going to find her happiness with you.”
That just made me angrier. “Well … there are different types of happiness. Perhaps Ruby and I will be happy raising a child together and nothing more.”
“It’s weird that you think that.”
“Why?” Frustration was not my friend. I couldn’t contain it.
“Because you’re pining so hard for her you’re starting to resemble a tree.”
“That was a very lame thing to say.”
He shrugged. “And yet it’s true.” He leaned closer. “I don’t care if I win the pool. I mean … the money would be nice. I wouldn’t say no to it. I am worried about you, though. Have you considered what happens to you if you let go of the one thing that could make you happy for the rest of your life?”
Irritation had me moving away from him. I just couldn’t decide if it was irritation at him or myself. “I have work to do. So do you.”
Cal was unflappable. He tipped an invisible hat as I stormed away. “You got it, boss man. Enjoy your ice cream.”
For form’s sake—just to prove him wrong—I wanted to bypass the ice cream shop. I didn’t, though. I walked straight through the door and practically tripped over my sister in the process.
“You’re late today,” Livvie mused as she checked her bare wrist, as if she had a watch there. “Normally you’re less than sixty seconds behind us. You were a full three minutes behind today.” She leaned closer. “What’s up with that?”
I glared at my sister. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The lie slid off my tongue easily enough, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep my gaze on her more than a split second. I immediately scanned the shop for Ruby, who was up at the counter. Relief had me exhaling heavily when I caught sight of her.
“Uh-huh.” Livvie hooked her arm through mine and gave me a little tug. “We need to talk.”
I didn’t leave the shop. Livvie might’ve had determination on her side, but I weighed eighty pounds more than her and if I didn’t want to move, it wasn’t going to happen. “Thanks, but I’m all full on talking.” I patted her head as I’d done when she was eight and moved around her, pointing myself directly at Ruby.
