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The CEO Buys in (Wager of Hearts #1)(131)

By:Nancy Herkness


At the top of the stairs, he led her into a room that was so stereotypically “men’s club” she nearly laughed out loud. “I can’t believe Frankie decorated this place,” she said.

“She did it as a swipe at the other clubs that wouldn’t let her in. She decided to out-club them, as she puts it.” Nathan swept his gaze around the room. “There they are.”

The two men stood as they approached the table set by a tall, arched window. Luke sported a blue blazer, white button-down shirt, and khaki slacks that gave his well-muscled, athletic frame an elegantly tailored look. The black turtleneck and slacks Gavin wore under his tweed jacket made him appear lean and slightly piratical.#p#分页标题#e#

Gavin stepped forward first, giving her a peck on both cheeks. “A pleasure, Chloe. I see you made the entirely wrong decision to tie yourself to Trainor here. How much did he have to pay you to wear that ring?”

“You’re contradicting yourself,” Chloe said, amazed as always that the writer could make his insults sound so charming. It was something about the self-mocking light in his dark eyes.

“Or maybe it’s merely an oxymoron,” Gavin said with a wink.

Luke offered his hand and said in his Texas drawl, “Best wishes on your engagement.” He shook Nathan’s hand as well. “Congratulations on winning your fiancée. You’re a real competitor.”

Chloe always liked Luke’s straightforward courtesy, but she caught the hint of steel when he called Nathan a competitor.

Gavin waved his hand at an ice bucket. “We’ve ordered a 1928 Dom Pérignon to celebrate this happy occasion.”

“My favorite,” Chloe said. She had a feeling she didn’t want to know what the bottle of champagne cost.

The glasses were filled and distributed as they stood. Gavin lifted his flute in the center of their circle. “Here’s to Nathan drawing a queen into his royal flush. We wish you health, happiness, and a long life together.”

Luke brought his glass up. “Here’s to putting seven points on the board on the opening drive. I predict a championship season.”

Since she was next to Luke, Chloe put her glass into the cluster. Despite the rocky start, she’d gotten fond of Nathan’s two friends. “Here’s to burning all three envelopes by the end of the bet.”

Nathan touched his flute to Chloe’s, looking into her eyes and saying, “The true prize in this wager was not my heart. It was yours. Winning your love makes me the luckiest man in the world.”

Chloe couldn’t speak past the emotions squeezing her throat.

Nathan tossed back his champagne in one gulp and removed her half-empty flute from Chloe’s grasp. Taking her hand and interlacing his long, powerful fingers with hers, he nodded to Luke and Gavin. “I wish you both good luck. And now I’m going to take my fiancée home and show her just how much I mean what I said.”