Chapter 2

I tilt my head up slightly and look at Callum.

"A bet's a bet, sure. But my birthday just started. What makes you so sure I've already lost?"

Callum gives me a sly smile.

"Doesn't matter. I've waited seven years. One more day is nothing."

I stand up, turn toward Delphine, and raise my voice.

"Delphine. I want to bet you too."

The music seems to cut out for half a second.

Everyone goes still.

My two closest friends are the first to catch on. They start whooping.

"Yes! Reid, you bet the wedding away. Wren can win it back!"

"Right! My groomsman suit is way too nice to waste. Bet again, come on!"

But Reid's face falls instantly.

"Wren. Don't be ridiculous."

"I said a bet's a bet. The wedding is in three years."

Right on cue, Delphine clamps a hand over her mouth and gags.

Reid is at her side in a heartbeat. He steadies her, then turns back to me. His voice is cold.

"She's had too much. Stop pushing her. If you really want to bet, bet someone else."

I watch him hold her like that.

The last of my hope slips away.

"Fine."

I pick up a dice cup and give it a hard shake.

"Then I'll bet you. High or low?"

I lock eyes with Reid. I'm putting everything I have on the line.

The truth is, there aren't any dice in the cup.

I'm not really betting.

I just want to see what he'll do.

Will he bet me?

Will he give me a fair shot?

If Reid really does, I'll bet all my luck on breaking my bet with Callum, and wait three years.

I guess we're all gamblers when it comes to love.

But Reid's expression only gets colder. His eyes are full of disappointment and disgust.

"Lose once and keep betting until you win. Wren, do you have any pride left at all?"

I feel a dull ache in my chest.

"You won't even bet me?"

"You think I'm going to force you to marry me? Is that it?"

He looks away and says nothing. I understand.

I slowly lift the dice cup right in front of him.

Empty.

Everyone stares at the empty cup.

For a few seconds, nobody speaks.

Then Kai says quietly, "An empty cup... That's an automatic loss."

I force a smile and look at Reid.

"I never planned to win. Why are you acting like I just declared war?"

Reid opens his mouth, then closes it.

He looks at the empty cup, and it finally clicks.

He reaches for my hand.

"I just didn't want you to lose..."

But you already made me lose. Completely.

I pull my hand out of his reach.

His fingers hang in the air for a moment. Then he laughs, but it sounds forced.

"I know you've always wanted to get married. It's only three years. You don't believe in us? You think you'll change your mind in three years? I won't. Not in ten."

I let out a bitter laugh.

In three sentences, somehow I've become the one who's unsure about us.

Things are getting tense, someone finally stands up to smooth things over.

"Okay, okay. It's past three. Let's just call it a night."

Everyone takes the chance to leave. Chairs scrape against the floor as people put on their coats.

Reid helps Delphine up and turns to me.

"I'll drop her off first, then come back for you. It's on the way."

I smile.

"No need. I'm going with Callum."

He opens his mouth to argue, but Callum has already stepped into the elevator.

Callum holds the door open and calls out, "Wren. Let's go."

I walk over quickly and stand beside him.

The doors slide shut on Reid's face.