“Fine, but what would that make you? Some type of card shark?”
She says it almost sarcastically.
“The correct term is ‘card sharp,’ but card shark has been more widely accepted as of late.”
“I don’t need a history lesson. A card sharp then?”
“Yes. Card sharp. Card counter. Whatever it takes.”
Cara leans forward and mimics my pose of resting her elbows on her knees.
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Good to know.”
Cara sits upright, and a hint of a smile appears.
“So the man called Ace happens to have all of these card talents?”
“Yes,” I groan.
“Hey, I’m not knocking it, but it is a funny coincidence.”
“No one has questioned it at least.”
“And what about Brad the Bull? His is a funny nickname.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Cara gets more serious again.
“How did he get nicknamed the Bull?”
“Destroys everything without question.”
“Got it.”
Cara soaks in everything I’ve just shared. I’ll give her the space to do so.
“Does he know you’re back?”
“Yes. I reached out to him after we got assigned and let him know my new wife and I are settling down in Charlotte, and lo and behold, he’s my new neighbor.”
“How did he take it?”
“He was surprised. Asked us to stop by at some point, which will be a good setup.”
“Very good, actually.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m bringing him and his wife a pie tomorrow to say hello.”
I smirk as I stretch my neck from side to side.
“You bake pies?” I ask.
