Chapter Seven

I rolled out of bed and took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe it. She’d spent the night with me, and now we were getting ready for work together.

“I’m going to go hop in your shower.”

“Alright.” I gave her a quick smile. “I’d join you, but we’d be late for work if that was the case.”

She laughed as she slipped out of the sweatpants I’d lent her and headed for the bathroom.

I resisted the urge to follow her into the bathroom and shower with her, despite the fact I knew we didn’t have time.

I swallowed dryly. It had been a long time since I felt this way about anyone, and it scared me, not just because I hardly knew her but because of what had happened to Jessica—what I’d done to her.

I can’t live in the past. It was something Melina always told me, but that didn’t make it any easier not to blame myself, not to be blamed.

Bur Melina didn’t understand that. She saw the rational side of it, not the emotional one. It was one of the reasons I’d come here. It may have been New York, but that didn’t mean people didn’t turn against you.

I mentally shook myself, headed for my closet, grabbed a suit from there and then crossed over to the dresser for the rest of the outfit.

The sound of the shower running was somehow soothing to me. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that it was just having someone else in the house. I did get lonely, and not having a pet made it worse. When I was with Jessica, we’d been able to have a dog because she worked from home, but now I was left dog-less—and Jessica-less.

“Stop thinking about her,” I muttered to myself as I dressed quickly and headed into the kitchen.

Passing the bathroom, I peeked in. Rebecca hadn’t bothered to close the door, and I could see her behind the curtain as she washed her hair. I knew it was creepy to watch her, but I still did for a couple seconds before going to check the mail. I still got tense when I checked the mail. It was stupid. It had been over a year ago, but it had become a habit.

There was nothing there.

I strode into the kitchen and popped some toast into the toaster. Normally, I’d do something a little bit more than just toast, but today I just wanted something simple. I smiled as the water turned off. I get to see her. It was stupid that that made me happy, but it did. I’d just seen her a few minutes ago, but I still missed her. I couldn’t believe I was saying it, but I did.

It’s just because the relationship was new. Wait, was it even a relationship?

I made a mental note to make sure to double check on that.

***

I showered a little quicker than I normally would, but I was just glad I came out of it not smelling like sex. If only we could have woken up and had a morning quickie before work, but we’d slept in, so that was out of the question.

I wrapped myself in a towel and headed to the bathroom where I’d kept my clothing, not bothering with the stockings, just the bra, panties, and dress. I grabbed my shoes—which I would not be wearing to work—and made for the kitchen to see Dean with a slice of toast in his hand. He pointed towards the other.

“I didn’t know what you would like on it, so there is just a little butter.”

“Thanks.”

“There is jam in the fridge and peanut butter.” He pointed towards a large tub of peanut butter on the counter.

I grabbed a knife, which had clearly been used for peanut butter, and slathered a thin layer on the toast.

“So, are you planning to stay in Vegas long?” It came out sounding wrong. I realized it as soon as I’d said it. It came out sounding like I was trying to get a gauge on how long the relationship would last. “I mean … with the whole casino thing, you’re eventually going to move on, right? Do you already have somewhere picked out?”

“Actually, if I wanted to settle down, this would be the best place to do it.” He took another bite of toast, chewed and swallowed. “You were right in your interview; this city is filled with them. I can always keep growing out here. I can buy out other casinos; I can grow them, and I can change them.”

“Have you ever thought about doing anything other than working with casinos?”

“Of course.” He smirked. “And maybe one day I will, but right now …” he paused. “It’s what someone I know would have wanted.”

So, it was someone else’s passion that he was living out for them. I knew what that was like—I mean, who didn’t?

“Well, you’re young. There is lots of time for that.” I took a bite of my toast, waiting to see if he would give me an idea of how old he was.

“That’s my line of thought.”

Damn it. So it wasn’t going to be that easy. Fine. I leaned against the counter with one hip and looked him up and down.

“Just how old are you?”

Dean smirked. “Worried I’m old enough to be your dad?”

“No, just worried you’re older than him. I have a strict rule about not having sex with men who are older than my dad.” I gave him a grin, so he knew I was joking.

“I’m only 36.”

“Oh.” I thought about it quickly. He was a little bit older than me; ’kay, more than a little, but it’s not like he was too old. “Well, then, I guess you’re safe. Definitely not older than my dad.”

***

Dean and I sat at the bar. No one was around since we’d had to come early to open up.

“So, do I get another date with you?” he asked, his eyes sparkling as if he already knew the answer.

“I guess I could give it one more shot.” I smiled, letting him know I was only being playful about the one more shot part. “When did you have in mind?”

Truth ways, I wanted to give him way more than just one shot.

“How about … this weekend? If I remember right, you’ve actually got the weekend off, right?”

“I think so yea.”

“Good.” Dean grinned. He looked past me and cleared his throat. “Anyways, I’ve got to get to work.” He glanced down at his watch, and as I caught sight of it, I realized what had just happened. I spun to see Melina standing there. People had started arriving for their shift. Dean stood, and as he passed her, he gave Melina a quick nod. She watched him leave the room then turned her attention to me.

“So, he asked you out did he?”

“I ... No!” I paused, but guessing by the smile on her face, she wasn’t buying it. My cheeks flushed. I could feel the embarrassment spread up to the tip of my ears. “Is it really that noticeable?”

“To someone who knows him as well as I do? Absolutely. To everyone else, probably not.”

What was their relationship? Dean still hadn’t really told me.

“Have you dated him before?”

She laughed softly.

“No need to be jealous; Dean and I are just friends. I’ve been with my boyfriend since I met him.” Her eyes sparkled.

“So, you’re just his really good friend?”

Melina paused. Her head tilted to the left as she thought about my question.

“I’m … I’m part of the reason he is still sane, honestly. I keep him grounded and give him someone to talk to, despite the fact my boyfriend hates the long hours I spend with Dean, and as much as I’ve tried to get him to make new friends, he’s just not interested in it. He doesn’t want to meet anyone else; he doesn’t want to give anyone else a shot.” She looked at me. “Did you ask him out? He normally avoids girls that work for him like they are a plague.”

“I don’t blame him,” I muttered. Melina chuckled. “But no,” I said realizing I hadn’t actually answered her question. “I didn’t ask him out. He asked me out.”

“Really?” She tried to control her reaction as she nodded, but I could tell that was a big deal for some reason. Why?

Was it just that he didn’t normally date girls who worked for him.

“Really.” I nodded. “Should that be surprising?”

“Honestly? Yes. I’m quite surprised by that.” She looked me up and down. “But, he will tell you all about that when he is ready to tell you about that.”

I smirked. “That’s the worst part about relationships, isn’t it? Waiting for them to open up to you.”

Melina laughed. “No. Sharing the bed and the food is.”

I snorted. She had a point.

Our conversation was cut short as Natalie walked into the room. Melina’s eyes lit up as she glanced from me to Natalie and opened her mouth. “So ...” My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. Was she actually going to out me? “How’s the hunt going?”

“He still hasn’t said yes, if that’s what you’re asking.” Natalie didn’t sound defeated. “But he will soon.”

“Are you sure about that? I thought I heard him talking to a girl the other night.”

“Really? Who?” Natalie looked around the room as if the girl was here. I stood there waiting for it because, really, what else was I going to do?

“I have no clue. It was on the phone. But I mean, maybe it was just his mom or a friend or something. I’m sure he has female friends.” Melina shrugged, but the look on her face told me she was enjoying this far too much. I glared at her.

So it might be difficult to make this work, but after last night I knew that I wanted to try—wanted to give it all I had—not just one more date but actually give him a shot. Katie was right; I couldn’t hold Brad against him, and I wasn’t trying to, but it was something Melina said, well more so what she didn’t say.

It was a big deal that Dean had asked me out, and I was going to give him the chance he deserved. Not because I fully trusted him, I’d just met him and that would be stupid of me, but because I wanted to let him gain my trust.

And I’d had a lot of fun with him last night. I wonder what he has planned for next weekend.

***

I took a deep breath and grinned. I got her for the entire weekend. My mind raced with ideas of what we were going to do as I pulled my email open.

My heart dropped as I stared at the screen. How did he find me?

I closed the computer quickly, but that didn’t shake the mental image of that email sitting there. Taking a deep breath, I opened the screen back up—whatever it was, however they’d found me, I was going to have to face it.