3. Amber
After being chastised by Bree, who won’t let us take a nap, apparently ‘we’re in Vegas for five days and we are going to make the most of it.’
“Get showered and ready,” she shouts again, like we are the two unruly children she looks after.
“Please God, let me wake up in New York,” I grumble.
“I know,” Jade groans. “Did you know she’s so bossy?”
“I’m sure she never used to be.”
Once I am showered and dressed, I carefully tuck my room key into my purse, ensuring it is secure. I have an intuition that I might require it later tonight. I’m expecting for Bree to do something else to secure the winnings. She is probably already plotting an over-the-top idea that I’d rather not contemplate.
I remind myself to let loose and forget about the bet, focusing on having a good time. Bree is sure to succeed. There’s no doubt about it. The energy is palpable as we make our way back to the casino, with Bree buzzing with excitement. With each bounce on her feet, she eagerly awaits the doors of the elevator to open onto the bustling casino floor.
“I’m going to spend some of my bonus,” she says with a wink. “Then I might spend my winnings.” She laughs as she hurries off and heads to a free slot machine.
She hasn’t a clue, only lured by the flashing lights and the ringing out all around—that’s so Bree.
“Would I win the bet if I killed her?” Jade asks.
“If she mentions her winnings one more time, I’m going to throttle her,” Charlie says, smiling.
“Don’t kill her, beat her,” I say, linking my arm to the crook of her elbow, giving her a wink. “Anyway, who decides who wins? It has to be the majority decision.”
Bree takes her seat, turns and grins, and starts to work the machine. Jade and I stand back and watch her for some time as the screen in front of her flashes and plays some tunes. Bree whoops as the machine does something silly with lights and music.
“I’ve got a bonus,” she screams, then laughs. “My bonus got a bonus.”
This is Bree, so extroverted. But Jade, Charlie, and I smile at her excited face and her jumping on the stool in excitement. Her mane of red hair bounces as she claps her hands and presses the button, excitedly waiting for the reels to stop.
Her facial reactions and arm-waving excitement don’t disappoint. Charlie, Jade, and I stand laughing behind her, taking in the best show ever. Our roars of laughter are loud as she slaps the hand of a passerby. He doesn’t have a clue.
“Perhaps this show is the craziest holiday moment,” I remark.
Jade hugs me and grins. “We never stood a chance.”
The machine finally stops and damn it... she only goes and wins. Not the jackpot, but bloody hell, she is so flipping lucky.
“Stand,” I hear, and I stride and glance around at the real casino.
This is so exciting. I’ve never gambled in my life and even had to watch some online videos before we arrived. But blackjack is the easiest to learn, though poker is something I played when I was younger.
“Blackjack or poker,” I say to Charlie as Jade takes a seat on the machine next to Bree. “Let’s live dangerously. Hell, if I lose all my money on the first day, would that mean I’m the craziest?”
“Blackjack,” Charlie agrees. “I can’t play poker. My face is a giveaway.”
“Yeah, blackjack is easier.” I have some knowledge of the game from university, though I’m sure playing with real money and not pretend is going to make a difference because I’m not a gambler. But if I’m brave and hold my nerve, like I did when I used to play, I’ll at least double or triple my money. And as I watch the faces on the poker table, I know I’ll lose my life savings if I sit there.
I pat Bree on the back. “We’re going to the blackjack table.”
“Shush,” she hisses. The machine stops, and she jumps out of her seat, fist-pumping the air.
Taking our seats at the blackjack table, we exchange glances and pass our cash to the dealer, the sound of shuffling cards filling the air. Over the smooth, green felt, he pushes our chips to us.
With a flick of his wrist, the dealer expertly tosses the cards in front of each player at the table. Charlie and I are among the five individuals seated here.
The dealer shows a six of clubs.
I turn my cards and note them.
The first person is an older guy. He is probably in his seventies, wearing an enormous cowboy hat and a gold medallion hangs around his neck. He plays his hand, showing a nineteen.
The next guy is a much younger guy, surfer type. His shoulder-length blond hair curls against his bronzed neck. It doesn’t go unnoticed that he has his eye on Charlie. At least not by me.
He takes another card from the dealer, then throws his cards down, showing that he busts at twenty-two.
A sudden whoop breaks through my thoughts. It’s swiftly followed by the familiar sound of a machine paying out before laughter fills the air. I don’t think it’s the jackpot; I think those sounds are rare, and when they happen, the entire casino looks.
“Miss.”
I spin my attention back to the table, noticing it’s now my turn. I request another card and smile when the dealer throws me a nine. The other players give me a look of ‘hard luck.’
I turn my cards over and smile—twenty-one. Already holding a ten and a two, I never expect to get a nine, just hoped for something lower.
“Nice,” Charlie whispers, holding eighteen.
The dealer flips over her other card, showing a king. She needs to go again; otherwise, the house loses regardless. She flips another card; it shows a four. She loses, and I’m the only winner on the table.
“Yes,” I whisper as I grin at Charlie, but it’s a pity my bets are so low.
“I’m going to find Bree and Jade,” Charlie says.
The surfer dude guy gets up when she does. The chairs are quickly taken.
“Hi,” a guy with the deepest voice I’ve ever heard sits beside me.
“Hello,” I reply with a smile.
“English,” he says.
“I am,” I reply, watching two men sit on the other side of the table.
As the dealer skillfully maneuvers the chips and money, my eyes dart around the room, searching for any sign of Charlie, hoping she found Jade, and Bree. Though I’m just five years older, I can’t help but feel a motherly bond with her.
“You are?”
“Sorry... I’m English,” I say.
“I mean your name,” he says and grins.
“Oh sorry. Amber. You?”
“Hunter,” he replies.
“Ah, cool name,” I say, picking up my cards.
I glance at my hand and smile as I lay them on the table. When I glance up again, I can’t help but notice the man on the opposite side of the table, his intense gaze fixed on me.
During our drinks earlier, I caught sight of him sitting with a group of men, his confident demeanor making him stand out from the crowd. And then, like now, he was staring at me, or perhaps he’s staring into space.
I glance my head over my shoulder, looking behind me, wondering exactly who he is looking at. My gaze instinctively returns to the table, meeting his eyes once again.
His hair, dark and impeccably styled, is cut short, and his eyes, a mesmerizing blend of blue and green, stand out against his tanned complexion. At first, I thought he was daydreaming or looking elsewhere, but now I realize his eyes are firmly fixed on mine, refusing to break contact.
As I finally blink, I’m captivated by the sight of his beautiful lips curling up into a slow, alluring smile.
“Miss?” the dealer says.
How did it get so quickly to me?
The moment the dealer captures my attention, I feel a pleasant warmth creeping into my cheeks. Forgetting my cards in my fluster, I hurriedly retrieve them and bring them close to my face, and assess them again. As the house is showing a king, I have no choice but to take another card. The dealer throws me a queen, and I can’t believe my luck.
“Stand,” I say.
Hunter is grinning as he decides to hold his cards, too.
The dealer uncovers their second card—a ten.
Everyone realizes I”ve won again.
Hunter groans next to me. “Another grand lost,” he says.
A freaking grand.
“Probably why I’m winning,” I say, pulling my winnings in front of me. I’m betting so low; the man watching through the cameras is letting me win.
My gaze sweeps across the room, trying to glimpse my friends. I see them in the distance, bouncing around a slot machine with drinks in their hands.
I turn my attention back to the table and meet his gaze again.
I want to blow out a breath, but I also want to look calm; he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life.
His gaze lingers on me, his hand absentmindedly stroking his very short and very well-groomed beard as he takes in my appearance with his intense ocean blue eyes.
His beard, just like his hair, is a rich, dark brown shade.
He is dressed in a fitted white button-down shirt, his broad chest, well-defined shoulders, and muscular arms are on full display. He’s so attractive. Two buttons at the top of the shirt remain unfastened, giving me a glimpse of his tanned chest and his corded neck. A neck I could lick.
Fuck, no I can’t.
Fuck, I’m swearing.
“So what brings you to Vegas?” Hunter asks.
“I’ve worked here for a year, but after this trip, I’m going home. The girls came to visit and for a vacation,” I say.
“Where’s home?”
“London. You?”
“Ah, cool. Me, I’m from New York,” Hunter says.
I smile. “We’re going there next. Any tips on what we should visit and what we should avoid?” I ask.
“Explore by foot, not a tourist bus. That’s the best thing I can say to you. Some places are overrated, but it’s your vacation and I don’t wanna sway you.”
“Thanks,” I say, getting ready to leave, but the dealer has already dealt again.
I check my cards and then look up through my lashes. The bustling room fades into the background as I become aware of the man opposite, his stare piercing through me. He is so intense; I know I’m going to lose.
Last game.
I need to go.
But I keep catching his eye, and I don’t know if he’s staring at me... or I’m staring at him.
My heart is racing and I turn around. Happy to see Charlie walking to me with a grin on her face so wide; she’s done something bad or … very good.
“I’m going to win the bet,” she whispers into my ear.
My eyes narrow into a squint. “And how are you planning to beat Bree? You know that is virtually impossible?”
“I’m going for a swim later with the surfer guy. Remember the man who was here at the table earlier?”
I snort and cough simultaneously. “Sorry,” I say to the table and hold a finger up to Charlie.
I look at my cards again—eighteen. “Stand.”
“It’s my secret. Be at the pool at ten,” she says and winks as she walks away.