The Bet Game

Chapter 4 On the move

“I accept your bet."

"Are you sure? She's not like the other girls," Chris pressed.

"I know. She's different." Sebastian's voice carried an edge of finality which actually made both his friends straighten up.

Just then, flashing her ever-so-gorgeous smile, Chloe approached their table, balancing a tray of coffee cups on their table with practiced grace.

"Here are your orders, handsomes. I hope you enjoy!" She set down each cup with precision. Espresso for Sebastian, flat white for Chris, and iced cold brew for Lucas.

"Thank you," Lucas said.

"It is my pleasure."

Chris narrowed his eyes as he studied her face. "Wait a second... I know that face... Yes! You're the the one backing up the drunk girl who almost bit Sebastian's head off at the party, right?"

Chloe stiffened,as she glared at him. 'The one?' Really? Why do guys have such awful ways of describing people these days?

"Wow, you really must be so proud of your memory"

Chris smirked,"Hard to forget someone standing up to the great Sebastian King. I was impressed. I didn't think anyone had the guts."

Before Chris could say more, Olivia appeared from behind Chloe, raising an eyebrow at him.

"She's at work, genius. Not in the mood for your play-by-play commentary. So either drink your coffee or get out."

Chris turned to her, his lips curving into a grin. "Oh, speak of Miss Devil and she shall appear."

"And you think you won't come down with food poisoning after drinking that coffee?" Chloe shot back.

Lucas chuckled beside Chris, covering his mouth with his hand. Olivia bit back a laugh. Chris clutched his chest dramatically.

"Ouch. Double-teamed by angels with horns. Alright, I surrender. Obviously you both planned this ahead of time."

Sebastian finally spoke up in his voice low but cutting voice. "You don't have to take it personally, Chris. Not everyone can handle your tongue."

Lucas leaned in as he grinned. "Yeah, but don't think he's actually losing. He lives for this kind of thing. You two are just feeding him."

Chris wiggled his eyebrows at Chloe. "See? My friends understand me. You're just helping me sharpen my wit."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Sharpen your wit? Oh, please. You're about as sharp as a butter knife."

Lucas nearly spit out his drink. Even Sebastian's lips twitched. Slightly.

Chris leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered, while sipping his coffee "Hmm. Bitter. Just the way I like it," he said as his eyes flicked to Chloe. "I Kinda like you, y'know?"

Chloe then smiled which didn’t reach her eyes. "At least I have flavor. But you? You're just hot water pretending to be coffee."

"Ouch," Lucas muttered with a laugh, clapping Chris on the back. "You're taking heavy damage here, man."

Chris tilted his head, as he studied Chloe with amusement rather than offense. "Damage? Nah. I like a challenge. Sweet girls bore me. And this one is no sweet girl."

Chloe lifted her chin so proudly. "You think? Well, I don't exist to entertain your lazy ass."

"Chris."

Just his name, sharp and warning.

Chris threw his hands up in surrender, flashing a grin at Chloe. "Fine, fine. Truce. For now."

As Chloe walked away to take another order. Chris's gaze lingered on her with a spark of intrigue.

"Don't tell me you're already hooked."

"Hooked? Nah. But I'm curious."

"Curiosity...is dangerous."

Sebastian's expression hardened, he shifted his gaze to Olivia.

Chloe headed to the counter leaving Olivia standing at their table.

"Curious? That's the word men always use when they've got nothing better to say."

Chris chuckled, he was ready to defend himself, until Sebastian's voice cut in, low and sharp. "Not all men."

Olivia turned towards him, caught off guard by the weight in his tone. He wasn't teasing. His gaze was steady, dark and...unreadable.

"Oh?...And what do you say then?"

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other.

"I don't waste words. If I'm interested..." His gaze swept over her slowly, controlled and deliberate."I make it known."

Lucas's eyebrows shot up in amusement. Chris gave a low whistle.

Whoa,nice shot!

"That's a rude way to talk to someone you barely know. Don't you think?"

Sebastian's lips curled slightly "Then maybe...you should stop serving me."

Her grip on the tray faltered for a second before she recovered, she scoffed lightly. "Careful. Curiosity actually cuts in both ways."

He held her gaze for a minute. Then he lowered his eyes back to his cup as though the moment had never happened.

Lucas laughed. "Well, looks like the King finally made his move."

Chris smirked. "Guess I'm not the only one curious today. If I must rephrase, ’they're different from other girls’."

Olivia’s heels clicked against the tiled floor as she stormed back to the counter. She clutched the tray she was holding tighter to her chest. Chloe was already there, wiping the machine. She caught the look on her friend’s face instantly.

“What did he say to you?”

Olivia set the tray down a little too hard. “Nothing.”

“That didn’t look like ‘nothing’. That looked like him trying to get under your skin and it actually… worked.”

Olivia opened her mouth to argue, but the sound of Chris’s laugh floated over from their table, followed by Lucas’s voice. Her jaw tightened.

“It didn’t work"

“Well Olivia… you’re gripping that towel like you’re about to strangle it.”

Olivia glanced down. She forced herself to let go. “Fine. Maybe it worked a little.”

“Men like them think they can walk in here, drop a line, and leave us spinning? We won't give themm that satisfaction.” Chloe scoffed

But even as she said it, she darted another glare towards their table. Sebastian hadn’t looked up once since Olivia walked away, sipping his coffee with infuriating calm. Lucas and Chris were still laughing like they had their fill.

“Arrogant jerks.” Chloe muttered

Olivia said nothing, like she was fighting something she didn’t want to admit as She busied herself at the counter