What happened in Vegas: Didn't Stay In Vegas! (2 page)

Chanel
didn
’
t show until midway through my fourth life. I briskly
switched off the game and put my phone on vibrate throwing it back
into my purse before smiling and standing up to hug her.

Oh my God, the
clothes she wore the other two times I saw her made her look like
Mother Theresa compared to what she had on tonight. The only way I
could describe tonight's fashion statement in fewer words or much
less would be: outrageously smutty. To think, she was a resident
becoming a doctor! Didn
’
t have to think hard
to figure out how she became "head" of her class. I liked her, so I
tried not to make any assumptions.

Nick trailed
Chanel closely behind like there was an imaginary leash from
Chanel
’
s hand to his neck. He was dressed superbly, which
made me question whether or not he was gay. He wore a dark suit
that looked like it was tailored especially for him, shoes imported
from Italy, and his blue eyes, olive complexion, and his short
spiky hair made him appealing to both sexes. Gay, heterosexual,
definitely metrosexual, he was eye candy to anyone who saw him and
had any modicum of taste! After I let go of Chanel, I air kissed
this beautiful stranger before taking to my seat.

~3~

Chanel

We got to the
Paddock ten minutes late. Nick kept me waiting like usual. I
don
’
t know what he does to get ready, but he takes longer
than most women.

It was a mild winter night; big snowflakes
fell from the sky. It was absolutely beautiful. I opened the door
to the bar and my senses were accosted by an odour of perfume that
filled the air. It was far too strong, toxic even. I wanted to step
outside and free myself from the obnoxious scent, but I caught
sight of Aria doing something with her phone so I stopped myself
and propelled forward. The closer I got to Aria, the stronger the
scent became. I could predict a searing headache in my immediate
future.

She stood giving me a hug and the hem of her
dress kissed the floor. The sequins and design appeared to be
Indian: it was quite stunning. She also had rid herself of those
horrible Elvis-inspired glasses she wore to our last meeting.

The waitress hustled over to take our
orders. Aria and I opted for the house wine. Nick ordered a Cosmo,
which was typical. Aria handed me the lease.

I grinned at
her.
“
I
’
m so
happy!
”

Aria started
biting her lip, so refraining from opening the package I asked
her,
“
Is there something you need to tell
me?
”

She
hesitated.
“
It
’
s
Snowball
’
s parking spot.
”

“What about
Snowball
’
s parking spot? There is a parking spot,
right?
”

Nick rolled his
eyes.
“
It
’
s a car for god
sakes!
”

Frustrated, I
turned to Nick.
“
It might be to you,
maybe. You started it by the way when you called your car
Jezebel.
”

Nick rolled his
eyes like only he does and said,
“
Whatever! I called
her that when she broke down on me, it was out of
anger.
”

I turned back
to Aria.
“
Go on,
”
I encouraged. Aria
smiled but lacked the confidence I gave her credit for,
“
There is a home for Snowball, but it has its own separate
charge.
”

“How much,
Aria?
”
I asked with an edgy voice. I crossed my arms in front
of my chest bracing myself for what she was going to
say.

“Thirty-five
thousand.
”

My arms dropped.

Nick
’
s eyes popped from
his head.
“
Holy hell!
”

“You
can
’
t be serious!
”
I
sputtered.

“Deadly! I did everything
in my power to get him to drop or lower the fee for you but nothing
worked.

“Do all the
spots cost that kind of money?
”

“Unfortunately
they do.
”
With that, I saw a man heading for our table.
Aria noticed my stare and followed my eyes past her to the mystery
man, who happened to stop right behind her chair.

~4~

He wore a black three piece suit and Tanino Crisci shoes. I
never would have known they were designer shoes had it not been for
Nick
’
s profoundly rude reaction to Chase entering the bar.
He stared Chase down as he approached our table. I had no choice
but nudge Nick to get him to stop. Nick looked over at me
defensively with raised brow and mouthed,
“
What?
”

I whispered
back,
“
Stop staring. You
’
re really
embarrassing!
”

Nick
’
s face was
awestruck.
“
He
’
s wearing
Tanino Crisci shoes!
”

“Oh, that
explains it!
”
I hissed having no idea what Tanino
Crisci shoes were.
“
Wipe your
drool!
”
I ordered with irritation.

He shot back in
his defense,
“
They are the most
expensive Italian shoes ever. They don
’
t make them anymore.
The man is wearing gold on his feet.
”

Aria, seemingly
unaware of our exchange, began making introductions.
“
Chase, this is Chanel and Nick. Chanel is going to be
renting your loft, and Nick is her friend and witness. Chanel and
Nick, this is Chase.
”
She looked at him smiling
flirtatiously with her eyes.
“
I
’
m ever so
glad that you could make it.
”
Under her breath I
could have sworn I heard her say something about the parking
spot.

Chase looked at
me and took my hand kissing it lightly.
“
The pleasure is
all mine.
”
His eyes were dark, unreadable. His formality was
unnerving, and I was not sure I was going to like him. He made me
feel jittery. His short dark hair was styled on purpose to be
shaggy, which suited him perfectly. I chuckled to myself thinking
this guy was the only one I'd ever met who could possibly outdo
Nick in the class and style department. I thought I would never see
the day.

Chase
’
s eyes met
mine.
“
Do I amuse you?
”

“Hardly,
”
I said, struck by his egocentrism, I
wasn
’
t going to let on that he could well be
God
’
s gift to womankind. If he was anything like Nick who
acted like he knew he was God
’
s gift, the world
would implode. Really, there just wasn
’
t enough room in it
for both of them.
“
You
haven
’
t had enough time to be able to amuse me, since you
just got here.
”

Nick pulled out
a chair for Chase.
“
Please, join us.
What
’
ll you have?
”

“I
’
ll just have a Carlsberg,
”
Chase
said.

Nick left the
table to order the beer. Chase reached for the lease lying in front
of me. Chase studied me.
“
Have you had a chance
to review the lease?
”

I looked at
him.
“
I have.
”

“Are you happy
with it?
”

“The price of
the parking spot is exorbitant for my budget. I was just about to
mention this to Aria; I
’
m going to have to
pass on it.
”

Chase
’
s thick fingers
started scratching his five o
’
clock shadow before
he began to leaf through the lease presumably looking for that
particular section. He pulled a pen from his pocket and scratched
out something and then scribbled something else. He signed his
section and then after Nick placed Chase
’
s beer in front
of him, Chase slid the lease to him for signing.
“
Surely your friend Chanel won
’
t need more time to
consider after I
’
ve changed the
price.
”

Nick smirked, signed in his spot, and then
slid it to me.

I looked at the lease and noted he scratched
out $35,000 and wrote in its place complimentary. I signed the
rental agreement. Aria gathered the lease and put it away. Her face
was flushed, her commission obviously being affected.

“Well, I guess
that
’
s it then! Welcome, neighbor!
”
She gave me a
friendly hug and Nick and Chase clinked glasses, Cosmopolitan to
beer.

We finished our
drinks and casual conversation before I decided to call it an early
night,
“
Thank you for coming. I
’
m going to call
it an evening. I start my Residentship tomorrow.
”

Nick
’
s eyes lit up.
“
I forgot, Coco, I
’
ll grab you when I go
have a cigarette. Try not to kill anyone your first
week!
”

I rolled my
eyes at Nick
’
s brazen
comment.
“
Promise, unless you
’
re the
patient!
”

Chase
’
s eyebrows
furrowed.
“
Oh, where
’
s your
Residentship?
”

“Toronto
General. I
’
m following a cardiologist.
”

“Impressive,
”
he commented.
“
Why did you
choose the General?
”

I gestured at
Nick and answer Chase
’
s question.
“
Some dickwad who drinks cosmos told me
it
’
s one of the best cardiac centers in the
world.
”

Chase grinned
from ear to ear for the first time as he faced Nick.
“
Dickwad happens to be correct. What does this dickwad
do?
”
Chase totally knew we were talking about Nick and his
playful, inquisitive demeanor was sort of cute.

Nick looked at
Chase without flinching or acknowledging his new nickname.
“
I
’
m a Respirology resident at the
General.
”

“You smoke
cigarettes? Not the best of role models, I see,
”
Chase
proffered.

“I
’
ll quit when I pass my residency. I plan to move
up the ranks to becoming CEO.
”
Nick
’
s tone was dead
serious.

“Is that
so?
”
Chase raised his eyebrows and studied
Nick
’
s expression.
“
I wish you
well.
”

“Thanks.
”
Nick returned
Chase
’
s smile and they shook hands. Cosmo and beer
apparently go well together.

The next morning, I allotted myself an hour
to get ready, excluding travel time. I took an extra-long shower
and opted for my tight black pants with two inch heels. I chose a
light blue blouse and placed the white coat I worked so hard to
achieve over it. I looked at myself proudly in the mirror and
pulled my hair up into a high ponytail.

I had this smile on my face that wouldn't go
away. I applied light makeup on my pale white complexion and
accentuated my lips with this gorgeous rose color I recently bought
from Sephora. With a final once over, I headed out to Snowball.