Page 167 of Double or Nothing

Jack takes on another victory. His ego glows like the sun.

“Of course it is. Practically Michelin starred.”

I roll my eyes. “You pressed a lid down, round of applause.”

“Don’t diminish my craft.”

Bryce takes a bite of his own. The Gruyère stretches in a long strand between the toastie and his mouth, destroying what little remains of his composure. Damn, I love it.

Jack watches him like he’s waiting for a jury verdict.

“Well?”

“It’s good. Yes. Very good.”

“Good? Stop it. You need to ramp up your game of toastie enthusiasm like Alice needs to up her slut talk in the bedroom.”

Bryce tips his head.

“Fine, Jack. It’s excellent. Marvellous. The best toastie I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you.” Jack takes a bow.

That makes Bryce laugh. A real laugh.

“You didn’t invent melted cheese, jackass, and I was the one who chose the toastie maker.”

“No, but I have perfected its delivery.”

It’s ludicrous. This whole situation is barking mad, and I’m so happy I could cry. I’m in so deep with these guys that sharing a toastie is like a soul bonding exercise. That in itself is enough to set my soul alight without the fact I’ve been requested to join the Hammersmith bloody auction house.

My phone rests beside my plate, Camilla’s email still open.

Jack eyes it up as he chomps on another slice of toastie.

“I haven’t replied yet,” I say.

“Why?”

“I didn’t want to seem too eager.”

He nods. “Good shout. Keep her hanging.”

“It was mostly panic actually, not strategy.”

“We’ll write that off. Definitely strategy.” He winks at me.

I smile, but the tension remains underneath. Sharks circling again.

Camilla Stour. Hammersmith. A serious auction, not a charity event where Jack Reid can throw sixty thousand pounds at my work like a joker. This is different. Established artists. Serious collectors. People who know what they’re looking at.

“What do I say to her?” I ask him.

“Thank her for the interest. Say the works are currently being considered for private acquisition, but you are open to discussing their inclusion as a complete triptych.”

I stare at him. “You know what a triptych is?”

He grins and taps his nose. “Done my research.”