Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Darryl
I woke up tangled with Ashley, the Vegas hotel sheets twisted around us, her body warm and soft against mine after last night’s heat.
The sun peeked through the blinds, and I glanced at the clock, seeing it was pushing nine, our three-day break winding down fast. We’d roamed the strip yesterday, laughing and eating, and then drank too much in the room, ending up in a sweaty, steamy mess that left me grinning just thinking about it.
She stirred, her head on my chest, her breath tickling my skin, and I kissed her forehead lightly, liking how she fit there.
“Hey,” I said, my voice rough from sleep, nudging her gently. “Morning.”
“Hey,” she said, blinking up at me, her smile sleepy but bright, stretching a bit but staying close. “Morning.”
“Last day,” I said, brushing her hair back, my fingers lingering on her cheek. “Flight’s tonight. Want to grab some gifts before we go?”
“Yeah,” she said, sitting up slowly, the sheet slipping down, showing off the little red marks I’d left on her neck and chest last night, making my grin widen. “Family stuff, right? Let’s shop.”
“Good plan,” I said, rolling out of bed, pulling on my jeans and shirt from the floor. “Shower first?”
“Together?” she said, grinning, hopping up, grabbing her clothes, the marks on her skin catching the light as she moved.
“ Tempting,” I said, stepping close, kissing her quickly, my hands on her waist. “But we’d never leave. You go first.”
“Fine,” she said, giggling, kissing me back before heading to the bathroom, her hips swaying a little extra just to mess with me. I shook my head, grabbing my phone, checking the flight time while the water ran, already missing this easy vibe with her.
We hit the strip after quick showers, her in a sundress now, me in jeans and a tee, her hand slipping into mine as we walked out into the heat. “Where to?” she said, leaning into my side, her shoulder brushing mine, the sun glinting off her hair.
“Gift shops,” I said, steering us toward a row of touristy stores, all bright signs and tacky displays. “Something for Mom, Dad, Jen. Maybe Carol, too.”
“Sweet,” she said, squeezing my hand, tugging me into the first shop, a cramped place stuffed with t-shirts, mugs, and glittery junk. “What’s your mom like? Besides casseroles?”
“Likes flowers,” I said, picking up a little vase painted with roses, turning it in my hands. “This work?”
“Perfect,” she said, grabbing it from me, adding it to her arm. “Dad?”
“Beer stuff,” I said, nodding at a set of coasters shaped like bottle caps. “Those.”
“Got it,” she said, snagging them, grinning. “Jen’s easy. Something loud.”
“Yeah,” I said, spotting a bright pink keychain with a spinning slot machine charm. “This screams her.”
“Love it,” she said, laughing, tossing it in the pile. “Mom loves books. Maybe a bookmark?”
“Over there,” I said, pointing at a rack of Vegas-themed trinkets, pulling her along, my arm sliding around her waist. We found a silver bookmark with a tiny dice charm, and she nodded, adding it to the stash. “Good haul,” I said, kissing her temple quickly, liking how she leaned into me.
“Wait,” she said, stopping by a display of jewelry, her eyes catching on a bracelet, thin silver with little star charms dangling off it, simple but pretty. “This is gorgeous.”
“Yeah,” I said, picking it up, holding it against her wrist, the stars glinting in the light. “Looks good on you.”
“For me?” she said, grinning up at me, her hand brushing mine as I held it.
“Yep,” I said, grabbing it, adding it to the pile. “Gift from me. Don’t argue.”
“Sweet,” she said, tiptoeing to kiss my cheek, her lips soft against my skin. “Thanks.”
We paid quick, the cashier stuffing everything into a bag, and stepped back out, her wearing the bracelet now, the stars jingling soft as she moved. “Picture time,” she said, pulling out her phone, holding it up, turning to me with a grin. “By that sign.”
“No way,” I said, stepping back, but she grabbed my arm, dragging me to a big “Welcome to Vegas” sign, all glitter and lights.
“Yes way,” she said, positioning me beside her, my arm around her shoulders, her leaning in close. “Smile.”
“Fine,” I said, grumbling, but I grinned, pulling her tighter as she snapped it, then turned to kiss my jaw quickly, catching another shot. “Happy?” I said, kissing her forehead softly, my hand resting on her hip.
“Very,” she said, showing me the pics, her lips on my jaw in one, both of us smiling in the other, the bracelet glinting on her wrist. “You’re cute.”
“Shut up,” I said, chuckling, taking her hand, lacing our fingers together as we walked on, grabbing more shots, her posing by a fountain, me snapping one of her laughing with a street Elvis.
Time slipped by, the sun dipping low, and we headed back to the hotel, packing up quickly, her bracelet jingling as she zipped her bag.
“Airport?” I said, slinging my duffel over my shoulder, pulling her in for a quick hug.
“Yeah,” she said, hugging me back, kissing my neck softly before stepping back. “Let’s go.”
The drive was short, her hand on my leg, my playlist humming low, and we hit the terminal, checking in our bags, the vibe different now, back to travel mode but still just us.
We found our gate, the plane ready for the night flight back to Chicago, and I spotted Riva by the counter, her uniform crisp, grinning as we walked up, my arm around Ashley’s shoulders, her hand on my waist. “Hey, lovebirds,” she said, crossing her arms, smirking big. “Back from your little getaway?”
“Yep,” I said, pulling Ashley closer, kissing the top of her head quickly. “Good trip.”
“Looks like it,” Riva said, eyeing us, her grin widening. “You two are glued together. What’s up?”
“Just happy,” Ashley said, leaning into me, her hand sliding to my chest, grinning up at me. “He’s the best.”
“Best,” I said, squeezing her shoulder, liking how she pressed against me. “She says so.”
“Gross,” Riva said, laughing out loud, grabbing her clipboard. “You’re too much. Vegas, turn your turnst, Darryl?”
“Nah,” I said, kissing Ashley’s temple quickly, my hand rubbing her arm. “Just her.”
“Aw,” Ashley said, tiptoeing to kiss my cheek, giggling as I shifted a bit. “He’s sweet.”
“Sweet,” Riva said, rolling her eyes, but grinning. “You’re killing me. How was it?”
“Fun,” I said, pulling Ashley in front of me, my arms wrapping around her waist, resting my chin on her head. “Roamed the strip, ate too much.”
“Got gifts,” Ashley said, holding up her wrist, showing off the bracelet, the stars catching the light. “He’s spoiling me.”
“Nice,” Riva said, leaning closer to look, smirking. “You’re whipped, Darryl.”
“Shut up,” I said, chuckling, kissing Ashley’s neck quickly, feeling her shiver against me. “She’s worth it.”
“Whipped,” Riva said, laughing again, turning to check the manifest. “You two are a mess. Board quick, I’m watching you.”
“Yeah,” Ashley said, turning in my arms, kissing me softly on the lips, her hands on my chest. “Let’s go.”
We shuffled onto the plane, finding our seats near the back, her by the window again, me in the aisle, her hand in mine as we buckled in. “Good trip,” I said, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles, the bracelet cool against my lips.
“Best trip,” she said, leaning her head on my shoulder, her fingers tracing mine. “You’re good at this.”
“Trying,” I said, kissing her forehead slow, my arm sliding around her, pulling her close. The plane taxied out, engines rumbling, and I grinned, liking how she fit against me, the gifts in our bags, her bracelet shining, three days of us locked in my head as we headed home.