The Gamble

by Alice Ward

“You say that now,” he said. “But once all the events start happening, it’ll feel longer. You and Dani are going to be in front of everyone, all the time. Your parents. The company. The investors. Photographers. The public. Everyone will be watching you.”

  “That’s kind of the point,” I reminded him.

  “I know, but it won’t be any fun at all if she sucks.”

  “She doesn’t suck,” I said, laughing. “She’s cool.”

  “Good,” Brandon said with a nod. “Maybe you’ll be able to have some fun after all.”

  We fell silent and just watched TV together for the rest of the evening. It was nice to have Brandon around for company, but I quickly forgot he was beside me. My mind was too focused on Dani. I couldn’t stop thinking about our time together. She was sexy and intoxicating. I never imagined I would sleep with her, but now that I had, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Worse still, I couldn’t stop wanting to be with her again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Dani

  Saturday arrived much sooner than I expected. I drove to my mom’s house, ready to spend the day with her. I missed her and the simplicity that came with being around her. She was needy and sick, but I didn’t have to think too much when I was spending time with her. With Talen, my mind was always racing and unsure, but at my mom’s house, I could just relax. I sat on the couch with her, watching movies for most of the morning. She didn’t say much at first, but I didn’t mind. The silence was comforting. I felt at peace for the first time in weeks.

  The moment the movie ended, so did the peace. “How’s Perry? Everything going well with you guys?”

  I bit back the groan. I told her about the breakup during my last visit. Frowning, I tried to keep my frustration in check. There was always a chance that she would forget things now. It was just a fact of her life, and I had to be patient, no matter what.

  “We broke up, remember? I told you last time I came over.”

  Her brow furrowed in concentration. “You did?”

  “Yes.” I looked down at my empty ring finger. I’d finally been able to get the ring off by trying the string trick I’d seen on YouTube. “He broke up with me the night of my art show.”

  “Oh, Dani Bug,” she cooed and stroked my hair. “I’m so sorry.”

  I shrugged. “That’s okay. It was for the best, I think. Our relationship wasn’t going anywhere.”

  “I can’t believe I forgot,” she said softly. I knew she was speaking more to herself than to me.

  “It’s okay. It happens. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m just not the same anymore,” she whispered. “I’m forgetting more and more. It’s not fair to you.”

  “Mom.” I took her hand and held it between both of mine. “You don’t need to worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself. I don’t mind telling you things more than once. It just gives us more to talk about.”

  I smiled, and my mom tried to smile back, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes for a second. I recognized her expression as thoughtful. She was thinking deeply about something that troubled her.

  “Are you okay?” I asked with concern.

  “Just feeling guilty. You’re always taking care of me. It isn’t your job.”

  “It is,” I argued. “Of course, it is.”

  “You shouldn’t have to do this.” She gave me a stern look. “You shouldn’t have to come over here all the time.”

  “Mom,” I said. “I don’t mind coming over. I love seeing you, but…”

  I paused. This was the perfect opportunity to bring up places for her to live. The conversation was inevitable, and I knew it needed to happen, but I felt horrible bringing it up. Sending my mother to a home felt like abandonment. I didn’t know how she would react.

  “Listen,” I said, starting over. “I think we should start looking at other options.”

  “Other options?” Her eyes widened, and she immediately looked upset. “Do you mean nursing homes?”

  “I’ve been doing some research, and I don’t think you’re ready for something that extreme. I was thinking more of assisted living. You’ll still have freedom, but you’ll also have more help than I’m able to give you. You’ll be safe…” I trailed off as my throat began to close with emotion.

  “I understand,” she said softly. “But this is my home.”

  Her words broke my heart. I felt like the worst daughter in the world. I didn’t know what else to do. Even if I moved in with her, I would still need someone to come sit with her while I worked. At this steady rate of decline, it wouldn’t be long before she was unable to be alone. I couldn’t do it all by myself. Not when I had a job to do as well.

  “I wish I could just take care of you all day,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “I really do.”

  She smiled. “I know.”

  “But, I can’t. I have to work and I just… Mom, I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this, but I think you need more help than I can give you.”

  “Maybe we can just wait a little longer,” she suggested eagerly. “Just until I get worse.”

  My heart ached again. Part of me wanted to argue, but I knew there wasn’t a point. We would have to wait until the end of the month anyway, and by then, she would have progressed further. I wouldn’t be surprised if she soon forgot this conversation entirely. I plastered a smile on my face and squeezed her hand. I couldn’t make her better, but I could at least help her feel more secure.

  “Of course,” I promised. “We’ll wait longer. We’ll wait as long as you want.”

  Her entire body sagged in relief. “Thank you.”

  It wasn’t long before she fell asleep on the couch. While she slept, I cooked a few meals and cleaned the house. I wanted everything to be perfect for her. When she woke up, I knew it was time to go. Madison took the day off to meet me. We were going to tour a few assisted living homes to get an idea of what my mom needed. Still, I hated leaving her.

  “I’ll see you soon, okay?” I said, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

  “Bye, honey,” she said, waving me away.

  I stopped at the neighbor’s house on the way to my car. After asking Mrs. Gleason to check on my mom, I drove through town. The first home was just a few miles away, and I arrived earlier than I planned. I sat in my car and waited for Madison.

  While I waited, my mind drifted to thoughts of Talen again. I had been thinking about him on and off for two days. Since we’d sex, I hadn’t been able to forget about him. I hated myself for sleeping with him, but at the same time, I loved every single second of it. He had been amazing. His body. His touch. Everything. But I knew it was wrong. It was too soon after my breakup with Perry, and it would only complicate our arrangement. As much as I wanted it to happen again, I knew it couldn’t.

  Madison pulled up and hopped out of her car. She was dressed modestly, and I almost didn’t recognize her. It wasn’t often that she wore something other than her stripper clothes. I walked over and hugged her tightly. I was glad to see her. I didn’t think I could face this on my own.

  “How’s she doing?” Madison asked as we walked inside.

  “Not great,” I admitted. “She’s getting worse, but I just feel so guilty. I hate the idea of putting her in a home like this.”

  Madison linked her arm through mine. “I know, but what choice do you have? You can’t take care of her on your own. Not anymore.”

  “I wish I could,” I said sadly.

  We stepped up to the front desk and told them we were there for a tour. While we waited, we talked more about my mom and her illness. It still made my heart ache to remember how sad she sounded that morning. She looked so defeated, so hopeless. I hated that I caused her to feel that way.

  “Tell me the truth,” I said. “Am I the worst daughter in the world for even considering this?”

  Madison punched my arm. “Are you kidding? Dani, you’re amazing. She needs this, and you’re willing to do anything to make su
re she gets it. In my opinion, that makes for a pretty great daughter.”

  I shrugged, not sure if I believed her. It felt good to hear her reassurances, but I still felt guilty. When the director came out, I stood up to shake her hand. She greeted both Madison and me warmly and led the way through the building. She showed us the individual rooms and bathrooms before we walked into the recreational room.

  In the rec room, elderly people were sitting all around. Some were in wheelchairs, and some were sitting on couches and folding chairs. I smiled at them as I passed, feeling my stomach churn uncomfortably.

  “As you can see,” the woman said, “we’re very community-oriented. Our residents really feel like this is home. They make friends easily. We’re all very close here.”

  “That’s nice,” Madison said with a fake smile.

  I could barely speak. Now that I’d seen the inside of one of these places, I hated my decision even more. The idea of leaving my mother alone with people she’d never met was horrendous. Still, the medical facilities they had were great. Doctors and nurses were on staff and always present in the home. If anything happened to her, someone would be right there to help. In a way, it was comforting. I tried to focus on that while we continued our tour.

  “Thank you for coming,” the woman said when we stopped at the front desk.

  “Our pleasure,” I said and shook her hand. “It was very informative.”

  Madison still wore that fake smile. “Thank you.”

  Together, Madison and I headed into the parking lot. We still had two more homes to see that day. We climbed into my car, and I drove us across town. The second tour was very much like the first. They had similar rooms and staff. It seemed that assisted living homes were all the same.

  “Let’s talk about something else,” Madison said when we were back in my car. “How are things with Talen?”

  The second I heard his name, my heart began to race. I pictured his naked body on top of me, and I blushed scarlet.

  My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “We had sex.”

  “Damn,” Madison said, laughing. “You didn’t waste any time.”

  “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I said quickly. My eyes were focused on the road in front of me. I couldn’t bear to see the look on Madison’s face. “We just sort of—”

  “Dani, it happens.” Madison laughed again. “Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened,” I said desperately. “This whole situation is a mess. It’s just supposed to be a business arrangement, you know? Nothing was supposed to happen between us.”

  “Well,” Madison said. “In your defense, you are married to him.”

  “Oh, shut up. That doesn’t count, and you know it.”

  Madison laughed again, and I turned to glare at her. She just looked at me with amusement. I was glad she found my situation entertaining because I most certainly did not.

  “This is a disaster,” I groaned.

  She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “No. It’s not. It could actually be a good thing.”

  I shot her a glance. “How?”

  “A little sex never hurt anyone,” Madison said with a grin. “Besides, after everything Perry put you through, you deserve a little fun. This could be exactly what you need.”

  I wished I was as carefree as my friend. “I don’t see how.”

  “This arrangement could either be horrible or wonderful,” Madison explained. “You can either spend the next month in total misery, or you can get a little sex and money out of it. You’ll get money either way, but you get my point. Try to let yourself enjoy it. Enjoy him for a while.”

  “I can’t do that,” I scoffed. “That’s insane.”

  “Whatever,” Madison said. “I’m just saying, it could be good for you.”

  I fell silent as I continued driving through town. Madison’s words played on repeat in my head the entire way to the next place. She wasn’t wrong. Having sex with Talen was fun. It was more than fun. It was fantastic. Still, I couldn’t just casually sleep with him for the next month. That wasn’t part of our deal. I shook my head and tried to force my thoughts away from Talen.

  The next home offered a glimmer of hope. It was a stately brick building with acres and acres of winding gardens in the back, all surrounded by wrought iron fencing.

  Inside, I noticed the smell immediately. Or rather, the lack of a smell. The other two homes smelled like urine masked with chemicals. Here, it smelled fresh.

  During the tour, the director explained that even the floors had been purposely chosen for dementia patients. They had better grip than standard floors and were glare resistant, which apparently helped with depth perception, or something like that.

  The rooms were also nicer. They were like small apartments, with a bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, and tiny kitchen. “Our residents don’t cook in their rooms — it’s too dangerous, so we eat together in the dining hall — but they have access to whatever snacks they wish. Plus, having a kitchen feels like home, and we do everything we can to give a home-like feel.”

  My eyes watered. This was better than my apartment, by a long shot.

  There was a gym, a pool, quilt clubs, singing clubs, all kinds of musical instruments. Dogs and cats were allowed, for a small increase in fees.

  Madison’s smile was real this time, and I knew she felt it too. When it came to the point that Mom needed it, I’d found a place I could live with. Guilt seemed to have slid off me by a few degrees at least.

  Now, if only I could work out my issues with Talen.

  For the rest of the day, I dwelled on our situation, wondering if Madison was onto something after all. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little fun, to just relax and enjoy myself. Still, I wasn’t sure I was built that way. After one night with him, I felt guilty for days. How would I feel if we did it again?

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Talen

  My plan to take Dani to an art show didn’t pan out the way I planned. Sunday morning, I got word that an exclusive show was being put on in Vegas. It was the first night, and only the elite were invited. The second my invite arrived, I knew I didn’t have a choice. Dani and I would have to go. Otherwise, the press would wonder where I was and why I hadn’t shown.

  I called Dani Sunday afternoon to tell her the plan. She seemed fine with it, but I couldn’t read her mood over the phone. I wished I could see her face to know for sure how she felt. Dani challenged me during every conversation. It was both infuriating and intriguing. I’d never met a woman who could give me a run for my money, but Dani could and did. Her wit was always on point, ready to fire away at any moment. She impressed me more than I ever imagined she would. The more we talked, the more impressed I became.

  I got dressed that night in a tuxedo. The show was shrouded in mystery, so I had no idea what to expect, but I knew to dress well. I told Dani the event was formal. I was worried she wouldn’t have the proper attire, but she assured me she would be fine. Without being wealthy, I couldn’t imagine she had much reason to buy expensive dresses, but I chose to trust her. When the limo arrived to pick me up, I said good night to my doorman and hurried outside and slid in the back.

  While we drove toward Dani’s apartment, I checked the limo’s bar to make sure everything was in order. I specifically requested champagne because I wanted the evening to be extravagant. This was our first time in the public eye, and it had to go smoothly. If we failed tonight, our entire ruse would be over before it even began. I was nervous. I already felt myself sweating beneath my tux, but I tried to relax. We would be arriving at Dani’s apartment in just a few minutes, and I couldn’t let her see how anxious I felt.

  The limo pulled inside the gate at Dani’s apartment complex. We were slightly early, but only by a few minutes. I was sure Dani would be ready.

  “Shall I go knock, sir?” the limo driver asked, but I was already sliding toward the door.

  “No need,” I said. “I’ll go.”
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  “Very good.” He rolled up the window separating the cab of the car from the back.

  I hurried toward Dani’s door, eager to see her. This night could either make or break us, and I had to remain positive. I was excited to finally be seen in public with her, but I was also excited for the night to end. I couldn’t wait to put this whole thing behind me and just be normal again.

  When I knocked, Dani answered immediately. She opened the door, and my mouth fell open. Her auburn hair was tied back in some elegant twist with loose curls falling all around her face. She wore a floor-length black gown that glittered slightly in the light. Her heels were just high enough that we were the same height. I focused on her face for a long time, taking in the bright green of her eyes and the blush on her cheeks.

  “You look nice,” Dani said, her tone cautious and polite.

  “Thank you,” I said and cleared my throat. “That dress is, um…”

  She looked down and I noticed her fingers trembling a little. “Is it okay?”

  “Perfect.”

  She blew out a relieved breath and smiled before locking the door behind her. As I followed her to the limo, I felt like an idiot the whole way there. Despite my attempts at a compliment, I fell short. When I saw her, I was immediately speechless. I’d always known she was attractive, but I’d never seen her like that before. She looked like a model standing in that doorway. I forgot how to breathe. I didn’t recover until we were safely in the back of the long car.

  “A limo?” she asked, once inside. “You weren’t kidding about this event being formal.”

  “I just thought it would be a nice touch for the cameras,” I said with a shrug.

  She settled back, her hand stroking the soft leather. “I’m sure it will be. So, what kind of show is this anyway?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I got the invitation this morning and thought we should go. It’s the first showing, and only certain people were invited.”

  “Exclusive,” she said.

  “Very. Which means there will be a ton of cameras around tonight.”

  Dani nodded, but I noticed that her cheeks flushed slightly. She was nervous too. I tried to think of something to say that would ease her fears, but nothing came to mind. Instead, I slid down the seat and grabbed the champagne bottle.