Reese's Wild Wager. Barbara McCauley

based on that smirk on Sydney’s face, she sure as hell had no intention of making it any easier on him, either.

      “Well, it’s kind of funny, actually…” He cleared his throat. “See, Sydney and I were playing poker last night—”

      That certainly lifted a few eyebrows, but still, no one said anything. “Well, we sort of had a bet, and, uh, I, well, I won.” He paused, blurted it out in one quick breath. “So Sydney’s going to work here for me for a couple of weeks.”

      How absolutely ridiculous it sounded to say it out loud. Eight sets of eyes bored into him.

      Then all hell broke loose.

      “You did what?” Cara narrowed her eyes disapprovingly.

      “A couple of weeks?” Ian’s jaw went slack.

      “This is a joke, right?” Gabe frowned.

      “Sydney work here?” Callan started to laugh, but Abby elbowed him and shook her head in disbelief.

      A pounding started in Reese’s head. “I told her I’d waive the deal and cancel all debts. In fact, I even insisted. She refused my offer.”

      “A deal is a deal,” Sydney concurred. “I lost, Reese won. I’m here for two weeks, three hours a day.”

      “With full pay and tips,” Reese added quickly, hoping to redeem himself even a little. It was obvious his brothers thought it was hilarious, while the women all looked at him as if he’d kicked a puppy.