386 Weekend in Sin City 2

Brianna was surprised by Quentin's words and she wanted to ask him if he heard the part about the super-couple and the babies, but then… she didn't want to give him any ideas. "It seems that your brain stopped accepting information one minute ago."

Quentin will not deny it. When Brianna mentioned the evening when Mia and Hunter bowled against Liz and Max, Quentin remembered one of the sweetest memories of him and his fiery Goddess. The two of them sat in the booth and watched the game, after which Brianna spent the night at his apartment. That was the only night the two of them were in the same place without touching each other, but the next morning, Brianna accepted to be his girlfriend so that evening (and night) of holding back his urges paid off big time!

"It was the time when you started overcoming your… stubbornness.", Quentin said with a smile.

Brianna narrowed her eyes at Quentin. "You wanted to say my shyness, right?"

Quentin chuckled. He can use many words to describe Brianna and none of them is 'shy'. "Whatever you say, I will go with it."

Brianna inched closer to Quentin and whispered into his lips: "I remember that evening, and the morning after. Thank you for not giving up on me."

Quentin's lips lifted into a gentle smile and his eyes stirred with emotions. "I will never give up on us."

"Everyone agrees on poker!", Hunter announced loudly because it seemed that Max and Liz are about to increase the heat of their make-out session, and Quentin and Brianna also looked like they are about to start one. At this rate, they will not do any gambling. Why did they even come all the way here?

"Let's start. We have one hour until our dinner reservation…", Hunter reminded everyone.

"We should play together.", Max said and before anyone could protest, he added: "It's only for one hour which I will use to teach Liz how to play."

Liz was happy to see that Hunter and Quentin agreed.

For their game of poker, they found a non-occupied table with only a dealer who was happy to see that customers are coming his way.

Max pulled a chair for Liz to sit, and then he placed another chair next to Liz for himself so that he can sit close enough with his left arm resting at the back of her chair.

The dealer shot them a confused glance. Why would two players sit so close to each other? But when Max started explaining the rules, the dealer understood that Max will be teaching her.

While Max introduced Liz to the game, Quentin ordered drinks for everyone, Hunter was in charge of ordering snacks, and Bri and Mia went to the ladies' room to freshen up.

Max went over the cards and bets and Liz understood everything quickly because she played poker online.

Max lifted his finger up in the air, indicating that an important point is coming up.

"You play with cards, but you bet against people. Keep in mind that the best hand does not guarantee the win."

Liz moved closer and whispered: "Is this where reading people comes into play?"

Max nodded knowingly. "It is about reading people and also fooling them. Someone's confidence does not necessarily mean that they have a strong hand, while a frown does not mean they are doing bad."

Liz was confused. "I understand what you said, but how do I know if I should fold or keep on betting?"

"Let's play a round or two and then we can talk. Observe other players and come to your own conclusions. We will discuss this further over dinner if you wish."

Liz understood that Max's training was over, and he is letting her come up with her own way. Well, she is not a good people-reader like Max, but she is working with people and she knows a thing or two about reading the mood.

The servers got drinks for everyone, as well as three plates with bite-sized snacks.

By this time, the other four settled at the table and Max gestured to the dealer that they are ready.

Max didn't play, but he was sticking close to Liz and used every chance to kiss the back of her palm or her cheek while advising her which cards to keep and which ones to replace.

When the betting started Max would use various non-verbal signs to instruct her, and sometimes he would whisper in Liz's ear and Liz blushed making others think that they are not talking about the cards.

"This is not fair!", Mia exclaimed when Liz won the first round and collected the pot.

"Yes, you said you will not play!", Hunter grumbled at Max.

"I was not talking about him playing.", Mia said to Hunter.

Hunter didn't get it. "Eh?"

"Look at them being all lovey-dovey. I want that also.", Mia whined.

Hunter quickly scooted his chair next to Mia's and placed his arm on the backrest of her chair.

Max chuckled. "How are you going to play like that?"

Without hesitation, Hunter pushed his pile of chips in front of Mia. "We will pair up. Like you."

Hunter looked at Mia and said softly: "You play, and I will hug and kiss and feed you."

Hunter placed a bite-sized snack in Mia's mouth, and she grinned in approval. In her opinion, they can skip the cards and stick to hugging, kissing, and eating.

Without a word, Quentin pushed his chips in front of Brianna and scooted closer to her.

Brianna was not sure if she should laugh or cry. Why is Quentin always competing with the Anderson brothers? Brianna didn't say that she wants to pair up with Quentin because she prefers playing on her own. But she saw his warm gaze directed at her and she sighed in defeat.

Five rounds later, the pile of chips in front of Liz and Max was increasing, while the other two were decreasing.

"How is this teaching her?", Hunter grumbled at his brother.

Max chuckled. "My Liz is a fast learner."

Mia was not so much into poker, but she hates losing. "What learner? The two of you are barely paying any attention to the cards!"

Brianna stifled a laugh. "Didn't you notice that is their strategy? I feel like I'm watching the replay of the bowling match."

Mia's face darkened and she glared at Liz. "You are doing this on purpose!"

Liz leaned on Max and smiled. "Doing what? If you think you got us figured out, why don't you win your money back?"

It was a warm smile, but to Mia, it was a teasing one. Is Liz provoking her?

Brianna rolled her eyes and whispered to Quentin: "Look at Mia falling into the trap again."

"I heard that!", Mia hissed. "Why are you talking like you know stuff? You are also losing money!"

Brianna shrugged. "My cards suck, and this is only a friendly game to pass time. Why are you getting so emotional? You will upset your digestion. If you continue like that, you will need to skip dinner."

Liz burst into a laugh. "Mia, to skip dinner? Even if the world is ending, Mia would not mind, as long as she can fill her stomach."

They all laughed, and the mood was good.

When it was close to dinnertime, they left the casino in the hotel and took a limousine to the restaurant that was five blocks away.

It is not a big distance, but the girls wore high heels, and the guys said that they should not walk so early in the evening and risk getting tired.

"If you have energy, we can go dancing later. There are many clubs around.", Max said to all three girls, but his eyes were on Liz and she remembered their heated dance in Jamaica and her heart skipped a beat. Ah, he made her think naughty thoughts again!

Dinner was in a luxurious private room with a balcony that provided a great view of the Las Vegas strip.

Everyone was ready to dig into an array of various dishes that were served family-style.

It didn't take long before Quentin's phone rang, and everyone stopped talking and looked at Quentin.

"I thought we agreed that the phones are off.", Hunter grumbled when he saw that Quentin is about to take the call.

"I know, but this is important.", Quentin responded and gave Brianna a quick kiss. "It's Kendra. I will not take long."

At Quentin's words, Liz and Mia looked at Brianna with confusion and disapproval obvious in their expressions.

Quentin didn't notice the girls. He walked out of the room with the phone in his hand.

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