16. A Hefty Date
16
A HEFTY DATE
“T his place is gorgeous,” Justine said the next night. “Even on a smaller scale. I’ve never been to a casino before but know most are much bigger.”
“It’s pretty big,” Garrett said, “but if you’re comparing it to ones in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, then yeah it’s smaller.”
“But grand, right?”
“Yes,” he said. “Eli put as much of that into it as he could. He’s tried to bring facets of the bigger casinos around the world into a smaller one on a remote island. You’d be surprised how many people fly in just for the weekend.”
“Nothing I’ve ever thought of,” she said.
They walked through the lobby after having parked in the parking garage, then went to the restaurant.
“No reason you should have thought of it,” he said. “Do you know how to play poker or are you just going to watch? Maybe play the slots?”
“Definitely the slots,” she said. “And what’s that game with the ball spinning in the wheel? You pick a number or color? I’m pretty sure I can handle that.”
He laughed. “Roulette,” he said.
“That’s it,” she said. “I bet you play blackjack.”
The hostess brought them to a table and they sat.
“I do,” he said. “Not always well. But the house wins in the end. Never think otherwise.”
“Got it,” she said. “You’re not going to pay for my bets, are you?”
She was lifting her eyebrow at him. She knew he was going to pay for dinner even though she said she wanted to because it was her idea.
He shot her down gently but then said she could take care of their next date.
“Nope,” he said. “Maybe you’re going to blow a thousand tonight. That’s a hefty date.”
She laughed. “Not likely, but you’re right. If I’m throwing money away, it should be mine.”
But an hour later, she wasn’t throwing it away and she was up five hundred dollars on the Roulette wheel.
“It’s got to be beginner’s luck,” he said, shaking his head when she pulled in chips again after hitting the number fifteen.
“I’m not sure what it is,” she said. “I mean I started just picking colors and then I decided to choose numbers. It’s not like I’m hitting them all.”
She’d lost a few games, but it was addicting once you won.
“That’s true,” he said.
He put a few chips on six. She did the same.
“Why did you pick six?” she asked.
He turned to look at her. “Date number six. How about you?”
“The same,” she said. “I’m just picking numbers at random.”
But when it was spun, it landed on six and she was jumping up and down excited.
She never acted like this in public before, but the feeling was intoxicating.
“Enjoying yourself, Garrett?”
She turned to see a big man in a suit come over. His face was serious, but his eyes were laughing as they landed on her, then went back to Garrett.
“Griffin,” Garrett said, shaking the man’s hand. “I am having a good time. Just won for the first time, but Justine here is killing it on a small scale her first time in a casino.”
“Always good to know,” Griffin said.
“Justine Keller, this is Griffin Zale. Head of Security for Bond Casino and married to one of my cousins, Penelope. He also is best friends with the owner, Eli.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking the man’s hand.
“The same,” Griffin said. “It’s the night for family visiting, it seems.”
“Really?” Garrett asked.
That just meant she was going to meet more of his family, and not that she had a problem with it, but it went back to the fact there was no hiding anything right now and she wasn’t sure why she was trying to do that.
“Mitchell and Ethan are losing pretty steadily at blackjack,” Griffin said. “My brother-in-law walked in with a few friends not that long ago.”
“Alex?” Garrett asked.
“Crew. Guess it’s someone's bachelor’s party tonight he works with,” Griffin said.
“Penelope’s sister’s husband is Crew. Alex Bond is married to Griffin’s sister,” Garrett said, explaining the name to her.
“A couple of connections to the family then,” she said. “Best friends, wife, and then your sister also?”
“Seems to be the way it goes here,” Griffin said, smirking. “Then Emma is on her way in, so I’m waiting for that text. I’m bringing her up to my private domain to watch.”
“Doing some research?” Garrett asked and then it hit her.
“Emma French?” Justine asked.
“That’s her,” Griffin said. “Do you follow her books?”
“I love her books,” she said.
“I don’t suppose you can let us know when she gets here?” Garrett said. “Got some fan girl love going and it might make me the hero tonight.”
Griffin laughed. “I can do that. Here comes Eli.”
Justine turned her head and saw another tall man walking their way in what looked to be a suit worth more than her monthly rent payment.
“Garrett,” Eli said. “Good to see you out tonight.”
“Thought we’d donate to your business, but it seems it’s only me so far,” Garrett said. “Eli Bond, this is Justine Keller.”
“Nice to meet you,” Eli said. “We love meeting new people in the family.”
She looked at Garrett who only laughed, then the two of them were left alone to go back to their game.
“I think I’ll take my winnings and not press my luck here again. I’ll watch you if you want to play some.”
“We can go to the blackjack table. I’ll stay away from Mitchell and Ethan. That’s Eli’s father and younger brother. Seems if they are losing, their table might have some bad mojo to it.”
She grinned. “That’s not true, is it?”
“No clue,” he said. “I don’t come here enough to worry about it. But you don’t need to be exposed to more remarks from family members. If you don’t want to meet Emma, that is fine too.”
“I absolutely want to,” she said, trying hard not to bounce in place. “It was very sweet of you to ask, but I don’t want to make it awkward.”
“It won’t be,” he said. “Trust me when I say she will be honored. She enjoys that stuff.”
“If you say so,” she said. “But you don’t need to worry about being the hero. I’d guess many already think you are.”
He smirked at her. Even through the dim lights and the sounds going on around her, she noticed how handsome he was. She could almost hear her heart beating in her chest.
She sure the hell felt it pounding like a drum.
“I only care what you think,” he said, reaching for her hand, their fingers touching briefly before he moved it away.
“I might be thinking it a little,” she said, holding her fingers up in a pinch.
“Good to know,” he said, laughing, and put his hand on the small of her back to move her around the crowds and to another table.
He sat down and she stood behind him. She was only watching and not playing.
There were four other people at the table. “It’s busy tonight,” she said.
“Not really,” he said. “It will pick up more later.”
She looked at her watch and noticed it was only seven. They’d had dinner at five and then came right over. They’d only been in here an hour, but it felt like ten minutes.
Guess it was true that you lost track of time in a place like this. Must be a way to lose even more money.
After a few games, she turned her head to see Griffin nodding to her.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
“Emma is on the way if you want to go meet her in the lobby,” Griffin said.
“Really?” she asked. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“She’ll be fine with it. But she’s not coming into the casino just yet. She’s going to go watch behind the scenes.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m just going to let Garrett know.”
“He’s behind you,” Griffin said.
She turned and looked and Garrett was a few feet away making his way toward her.
“You didn’t have to leave the table,” she said.
“Yes,” he said. “I did. I’m getting slaughtered.”
Griffin smirked. “Doesn’t seem to be the night for family.”
“It’s not all about winning money,” he said, looking down at her.
“Don’t I know that,” Griffin said. “Emma will be here in a minute. I asked if Justine wanted to meet her in the lobby, then I’m taking her to the camera room.”
“Let’s go say hi to Emma,” he said. “I can use the break.”
“If you’re sure?” she asked. She didn’t want to take him away. He seemed excited to come here as much as her.
“Positive,” he said, his hand going to her lower back again. Every touch of his on her body sent her brain into overdrive.
She had to stop thinking and just go with how she felt for once.
And so far tonight everything she’d felt had been magical and she wanted that fantasy dreamland to continue.
They moved out of the casino, her small purse across her shoulder and chest, holding her chips. She wasn’t sure how to dress tonight and had put on black pants with a pair of black pumps and a light blue silk shirt tucked into her waist.
Garrett was in dark jeans and a green button-down shirt with white stripes.
She couldn’t believe how dressed up some people were in the casino, but there were just as many in jeans and T-shirts. She supposed no one cared as long as the money was flowing.
They’d been in the lobby for less than a minute when Emma French walked in. She didn’t look much like the picture on her books.
That picture was professional and she had her hair done and makeup on.
The Emma French in front of her had her hair in a ponytail, light baggy jeans on, and a peach T-shirt snug to her body and stopping just past her waist.
“Griffin,” Emma said. “Love the personal escort and thanks for letting me do this. I won’t touch anything, I promise.”
“No worries,” Griffin said.
“Garrett,” Emma said. “I haven’t seen you in a while. I heard you were on the island for a year.”
“Nice to see you,” he said. “This is Justine Keller. She’s a big fan.”
“He wanted to score points,” Griffin said.
“I love fans,” Emma said, wiggling her shoulders, her hand reaching out. “It’s nice to meet you. And can I say you have the most stunning eyes and hair color? It’s natural, I can tell, and I’m being rude, but I just process things out loud rather than in my head. So sorry. I’m going to have to use your features with a character.”
Justine got all giddy. “No worries,” she said. “That’s exciting.”
“What do you do?” Emma asked, pulling her phone out. “Got to take notes quickly before I forget.”
“I’m a pharmacist,” she said. “I’m on the island for six months. Well, five more.”
“Seriously?” Emma asked. “First, that’s sweet. You two met at work and are both here temporarily. Love that. But more importantly, I’d love to pick your brain. The things I could get out of you in terms of murder and pills.”
She laughed. “Any time,” she said. “I mean it.”
“Perfect,” Emma said. “Not to ruin your date, but can I get your contact information? Email works if you want.” Emma handed over her phone. “You can type it in my notes right here.”
Justine took the phone and put her information in and handed it back.
“Thank you for meeting me,” she said.
“My pleasure,” Emma said. “Hate to run, but I know Griffin needs to get back on the floor and I’m going to pick his brain while I’ve got him.”
“That was so much fun,” Justine said a few minutes later when they returned to the casino. She was sitting at a slot machine this time having to get off her feet. She wasn’t used to fancy shoes for long periods of time.
To her, a few hours was long when she was used to having more comfortable shoes on.
“I’m glad,” he said. “Seems like it’s a good night so far.”
When the machine started to ring, she turned her head from Garrett’s smile and saw that she’d just won again.
“Oh my God,” she said. “What is happening?”
He started to laugh. “I think you just won over ten thousand dollars.”