Nothing Stays In Vegas (2 page)

"Well, what do you think, Lexi?" 

I shook my head and turned back to the conversation. "About what?"

"Leo has offered us VIP passes to Studio 54 for tomorrow. He tells me it's the place to be on a Saturday night."

"It's your birthday. If that's what you want to do, it sounds good to me." I did my best to sound excited. Night clubs were akin to torture. "Thanks, Leo." 

"It's my pleasure." He held my gaze again.

I cleared my throat and forced myself to look away. I swiped a piece of hair behind my ear before asking, "So, how did you happen to have these tickets?" 

"I have my connections." He grinned and because he looked so cute, I found myself grinning back. "Seriously," he added. "I work at the hotel. Speaking of which, I should get back." He pushed himself away from the bar. 

"It was very nice meeting you, Leo," Nicole said.

"Likewise, ladies. Have a great night." He started to move to the door.

"Wait," I called and the second he turned around my face burned with embarrassment. That sounded ridiculous. "How will we get the passes?" I asked, trying to sound natural.

"Don't worry, Lexi," he said and I could tell he was trying not to laugh. My face got even hotter if that was possible. "I'll make sure you get them." And then he turned and disappeared onto the casino floor. 

I watched him go, wishing with a great deal of absurdity, that he would turn around and come back. 

"That's it. No more alcohol for me," I mumbled.  I hadn't reacted to a man like that since, well, since ever.

Nicole didn't hear me. "He's yummy," she said licking her lips. "Now come on, we're going to be late for the show. And what are you wearing?" 

I looked down and said, "What's wrong with this? The sales girl said this was totally Vegas appropriate."

"Seriously, Lexi? For such a hottie, you choose the strangest clothes." Nicole stood and pulled me from the stool. "Don't worry, we'll go shopping tomorrow and get you sexed up."

I turned to grab my purse and caught sight of my left hand. It still made my breath catch when I saw my naked finger where a ring had been for the last three years.

"Lex, come on. What are you looking at?" 

I blinked hard. "Nothing," I said and grabbed my purse. "Let's go."

Chapter Two

I had the pool to myself. Dropping my towel and wrap on a chaise, I dove head first into the glassy water. I must be the only person who liked to swim laps at seven in the morning in Vegas. When I broke the surface, I transitioned easily into smooth, effortless strokes and headed for the opposite end. When Nicole brought up the idea of coming to Vegas to celebrate her birthday, she was smart enough to suggest we stay at the MGM Grand, where there are five pools. She knew if she eliminated most of my objections, including my need for a morning swim, I wouldn't have much of a reason to say no. 

I reached the other end, tucked into a smooth flip turn pushing off the slick blue tiles and started back to the other side.

A sigh escaped me as a bubble after my second lap. It always took me a few minutes to warm up, for my muscles to relax and loosen as memory took over and my body fell in line with the exercise. I'd been swimming so long that if I missed a day, my body seemed to crave the fluidity of the water, the lengthening of each muscle as I strove for an ever-changing goal. 

As I reached the wall on my fourth lap, a shadow fell over the water startling me into stopping. I popped my head out of the pool, grabbed the slippery tiles and peered up into the already intense desert sun. 

"I found you," the shadowy figure said.

I shivered involuntarily at the voice and shaded my eyes trying to bring him into focus.  

"Sorry," he said as he squatted, blocking the sun so I could see him. "Is that better?"

"Yes. Thanks, Leo." I smiled at him.

"You remember me, then?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I tugged my goggles onto my head.

"Well, this is Vegas, and I'm sure a beautiful woman like you meets lots of guys in one night. I wasn't sure if I made the cut of being important enough to remember." 

I blushed at his compliment, before laughing at the absurdity of his statement. It was Nicole that met men; I was just along for the ride.

"What's so funny?" 

"Nothing," I said and swallowed hard. "So, why did you say you were looking for me?"

"I didn't." He grinned.

I shot him a look and started to pull my goggles back into place.

"No, wait." The smile fell from his face, and he looked genuine enough that I paused. "I was looking for you," he said. "I wanted to give you these." He pulled two tickets from his back pocket and held them out to me. 

"What're those?"

"I told you I'd get you and...your friend..."

"Nicole," I supplied for him and couldn't help being just a little bit pleased that he remembered only my name.

"Right, Nicole. I told you I'd get some club tickets for tonight."

"Oh, those. Thanks."

"Why do I get the feeling that you don't really mean that?" He smiled and tilted his head.

He was flirting with me again. At least I thought he was. 

"I do mean it," I said trying my best to sound genuine. Nicole once told me that I was too standoffish, and came off like a bitch sometimes. Normally I didn't care. But with Leo crouching on the deck in front of me, I found that I did care. A lot.

"You may not sound very excited," Leo said, "but Studio 54 is a great club. One of the best in Vegas. It's over 22,000 square feet, it has four dance floors, and...you don't look impressed."

I shrugged. "I'm sorry. I really am. I don't mean to sound unappreciative, but I'm not the nightclub type."

"So why is it that you want to go?"

"Well, I'm not the nightclub type, but Nicole is and it's her birthday so I'll put on my best friend hat and go dancing with her."

Leo smiled again and the simple action had the effect of making his already handsome face absolutely deadly. I was happy to be submerged, because I could feel my entire body heat up. 

"You're going to have an awesome time," he said. "Honestly, it's a great club."

"I'm sure it is," I said. "I know we'll have fun." What I wanted to say was that it would be great if he were there, but even I knew that would sound pathetic.

"Do you want me to put these somewhere for you?" Leo waved the tickets. "Unless you're ready to get out?"

I wavered. I'd enjoyed talking to him, a lot. Definitely more than I had enjoyed talking to any other man in recent memory, but I wasn't quite ready to abandon my swim. Besides, he looked like he was dressed for work. It crossed my mind to ask him what he did at the hotel but before could, he spoke.

"Should I just put them with your stuff?"

I shook my head trying to remember what he was talking about. "Oh, yes. That would be great." I pointed to the chaise where I'd left my things. "Thanks again, Leo. I mean it. Nicole will be so excited."

He pushed up from his crouching position so his face was in the shadows again. I put a hand up to shade my eyes, but I still couldn't make out his features.

"It was my pleasure, Lexi. Oh, and don't forget to give them your name at the door tonight. You'll be on the list."

He didn't make a move to leave right away, and I searched my brain for something else to say, anything.

"Have a good day," was all I could come up with. 

I had to force myself not to dunk my head under the water. I could not believe those words came out of my mouth.

  "Thanks," Leo said and I was glad I couldn't see his face. "I should get going. Enjoy your swim. It looks like it's paid off already." 

I watched him tuck the tickets under my towel before he turned and waved. Then he was gone, up the stairs back to the casino floor. I pulled my goggles back down and dove under the water, extinguishing the blush that burned on my cheeks at his last comment. It was only after I reached the other end that I realized I'd never asked how he'd known to find me at the pool.

###

"Oh, the sun is burning my retinas," Nicole moaned as we stepped outside and into the waiting taxi. 

"It's the desert, Nic. It's sunny and hot, remember?" I nudged her as I slid into the seat beside her. "Premium Outlet Mall please," I told the driver before turning my attention back to my friend. "Besides, shopping was your idea."

"Not so early though," she whined and pushed her oversized sunglasses further up her nose.

"It's two in the afternoon, Nicole. It's not my fault that you were up drinking all night."

"Of course it's your fault. You should've dragged me back to the room with you when you went back."

I gave her a look. "Right, cause you were ready to go to bed?" 

After the show Nicole and I walked down the Las Vegas strip laughing and joking. We stopped in front of the Bellagio to take in the fountain show, and it was amazing, but it was more fun people watching. One of our habits since college, we would make up elaborate life stories for people, creating dialogue and situations that sent us into hysterics. I could have stood there all night, but Nicole had other plans. She dragged me into the casino where I lost at least a hundred dollars at the craps table, but she was on a roll and clearly wasn't going anywhere. 

"I'm done, Nic. I'm going to bed," I said stifling a yawn.

"No, Lexi. Stay. Please? I'm winning here."

"I know, I know. But I'm done."

"Woo hoo!" Nicole yelled as the ball landed on her number, again. She whipped around and grabbed me in a hug. "You're my good luck charm!"

"I'm sorry, Nic. I am. But I'm going to fall asleep on my feet here." She let go of her grip on me and pulled away. "Let me rest, and tomorrow I'll be ready for an all nighter."

She eyed me and asked, "Promise?"

"I promise. All night, as long as you want." I knew I would regret that promise later, but I really needed to get some sleep. I'd worry about that later.

Nicole broke into a huge grin. "Okay, Lex. Get some rest. I won't be too late."

Hours later, I woke for a moment when she came back to the room. It was 3:30.

"I hit the blackjack tables after you left," she said now. "And I may have had too many drinks."

I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Okay, I definitely had too many drinks. But, I'm ready to shop. So grab me a coffee and I'm good to go. Oh, and get me inside and away from this sun."

"You poor thing." I laughed and put my arm around her. "I'll get you all fixed up." I pulled her towards me and let her rest her head on my shoulder until we arrived at the mall.

###

"Lexi. You have to try this one," Nicole said and shoved a teal green dress at me. We were in a store that Nicole assured me carried all the latest styles but if scraps of clothing hanging on by threads was the latest style, I wasn't sure I wanted anything to do with it. I couldn't see myself wearing any of the skimpy garments hanging on the racks. I gave her a look but didn't take the dress.

"Come on, Lex. With your body, you can totally pull this off. Seriously, you don't dress to flatter yourself at all. If I had your body, you wouldn't be able to keep me out of things like this."

"The color-"

"Will be fantastic on you. I'm pretty sure teal was created for you. Only blondies with green eyes can look semi-decent in teal."

"Semi-decent?"

"You'll look smokin'," she amended. "I wish I had legs like yours. I got better boobs though." She laughed and kept flipping through the racks. 

"There is nothing wrong with my boobs." I snuck a peek at my chest just to be sure.

"Your boobs are amazing, Lex. They're just not mine." Nicole paused her search long enough to flash me a grin. "But they will look even more amazing in this." She pulled out a halter top. This one red with black gemstones sewn onto the plunging neckline. 

"Not too bad," I said. 

She flipped it around to show me the back, if you could call it that. There was only a tie securing the sides together. 

My mouth fell open. "That's more like a bathing suit top than a shirt to wear out."

"I swear, Lex. You are such a prude. Come on, it's my birthday and you have to look hot."

"I don't see why I have to look hot on your birthday," I grumbled, but let her lead me to the changing room where I obligingly tried on one outfit after another, each skimpier than the last.

###

After what seemed like forever, Nicole selected her outfits and agreed to let me treat her to a bite to eat. Desperate to get her away from anymore shopping, I grabbed a cab and we headed back to the strip where I chose a restaurant at random. Thankfully, between the lunch and dinner rush, service was fast and it wasn't long before there was a mouthwatering meal in front of me. 

"How can you eat that?" Nicole looked horrified at my club sandwich as I was about to take a bite.

"It's a sandwich, not a plate of fries dipped in gravy." I lifted the sandwich to my mouth again.

"All that bread."

"I like bread."

Nicole shuddered and resumed poking at her salad. "I think if I even look at a loaf of bread, I gain five pounds. You're so lucky."'

"I am what I am." I shrugged and took a bite. I had long since given up trying to convince Nicole that she looked amazing. I still told her every time I saw her, but I no longer kept up the constant campaigning for an improvement in her self esteem. The truth was that while I didn't take my athletic build for granted, I just didn't think about it much. I never was all that interested in appearances. Nicole said it was because I didn't have to worry about it. But I believed it was because you either liked me or you didn't. It was as simple as that. Which probably explained why I was awful at flirting, and hadn't had a lot of boyfriends. And those I did have, weren't serious, at least not until I met Andrew. Andrew was different.

Nicole's voice brought me back to the conversation. "Did you hear what I said, Lex?"