Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“You mean, something that might beat the water from the fountains at the Bellagio?”
“It depends how you look at it. I’ve brought the water, in case you want to go with that. We were a team. It should be a team decision.” I pat the pocket of my slacks.
“Oh, so you’re not just pleased to see me, then?” she asks on a grin.
“Never doubt that, Sophia. I’m always pleased to see you.”
I reach into my other pocket and pull out the jewelry case. There’s a sense of déjà vu from last night.
“We had a limit of one hundred dollars. Whatever’s in there is bound to have cost more than that,” she says, though it doesn’t stop her from gently taking the box from my hands. She opens the lid and gasps at the solitaire diamond earrings within, each five carats. I think she likes them. “Jesus Christ. How much did they cost?”
“Nothing,” I reply truthfully. “I called in a favor. They’re on loan.”
“How did you ever think that water from the Bellagio was going to beat these?”
“Well, the earrings are prettier, for sure,” I say. “But there’s no sentiment there.”
“There’s hardly sentiment in recycled water from a tourist attraction.”
I chuckle. “Maybe not for you, but I’ll remember this afternoon for a long while.”
Her cheeks pink at my admission. We’re in this no-man’s-land where we both know we find each other attractive, but there’s been no crossing of any lines. Yet. There’s been no kiss, no hands on bare flesh, no bite. No whimper.
And given her… vulnerability at the moment, I’m not sure it will happen. Not this weekend anyway.
But there’s an ache inside me that grows every time I see her. Every time I’m near her. It’s like I’ve found someone I’ve been unknowingly searching for, and now I have to be patient a little longer. She needs to feel it too.
And I have to square things away with Fisher. I know he’s not interested in Sophia, but I still have to make sure it’s okay.
“We should give Jules both and she can decide,” Sophia says.
“Are you ready to be beaten in this quest thing of Efa’s?” Jack asks as we meet him at the entrance to The Angel Rooms. We’re having dinner in the hotel again, though we’re in a different restaurant tonight.
“Absolutely,” Sophia says as I nod. We share a knowing look. We didn’t find anything amazingly creative, but I did have one of my favorite days of my life. So I definitely won. Just not as far as Jack’s concerned.
Jules squeals as we enter the room. Sophia and I part and go to opposite ends of the table, though I’m willing her to stay close tonight instead of keeping away. I’ve given in to my feelings. There’s no denying them.
Once we’re seated and have placed our orders, Efa announces we’re each to reveal our offerings. I don’t like to lose and I’m relieved we have something better than Bellagio water to set out in front of us at the table.
I’m sitting next to Fisher. I need to tell him tonight, even if things don’t go any further with Sophia.
“Sophia and Jack, why don’t you swap seats so you’re each next to your partners,” Efa says.
My chest lifts at Sophia being referred to as my partner. She feels like that on so many levels. But why? How? It’s not like we’ve been dating… at all. But the moment I laid eyes on her, something inside me slotted into place. I feel a sense of peace I can’t remember ever having before. None of it logical. None of it makes sense. And yet it completely does whenever she’s near.
“Hey,” she says as she sits next to me, giving me a sideways glance.
“Hey,” I reply.
I glance across at Fisher. I need to speak to him.
“Okay, let’s do ‘old’ first since it’s Bennett and me and we were a complete disaster.”
The vibration of Sophia’s giggle reverberates against my thigh. “They ain’t seen nothing yet,” she whispers.
“Turns out a hundred dollars doesn’t get you a lot in Vegas,” Efa goes on.
Around the table there’s a mumble of agreement.
“So, Leo and Jules, here is your something old.” Efa produces a smooth, shiny rock. “I wrote your names and the date of your wedding on the back. Then Bennett varnished it.”
“I never had you down as a crafter,” Fisher says, chuckling.
The image of Bennett hunched over a table, varnishing a rock, is going to last a long time.
“Fuck you,” Bennett says. “At least we put in some effort.”
Jules is flapping at her face. “You guys are going to make me cry. Thank you so much.” She gets up and hugs Efa and a reluctant Bennett. Then she takes the stone and hugs it to her chest.
“That was a good idea,” Sophia says to me. “We should have thought of that.”