It’s not as though I’m asking her.
“I work for my grandfather. But he refuses to quit working until I’m married, which makes me feel like crap on the one hand because he is in his eighties, but on the other, I refuse to give into his blackmail.”
“Oh no, that’s terrible. Have you got close to marrying someone?”
I shake my head. “Work takes over. I don’t have time for anything but casual.”
Her eyes meet mine for a silent moment, but she smiles at that.
Honesty is the best policy.
“You?” I ask.
“I’ve had some drinks after work with guys, but I attract a certain type of man, and now I get into work early, work late, and make sure I’m too tired for relationships. To be honest with you, my career is more important, and I don’t think any man is going to beat that.”
“But you never know. Stranger things have happened.”
“I agree. I could swipe right and Prince Charming might come and sweep me off my feet, whisk me to a remote island where I’m fed grapes every day for the rest of my life... In my real life, I’ll work hard, go to the supermarket and buy my own grapes.” She pauses and wiggles her eyebrows. “Maybe I should have a glimpse of Tinder.”
I laugh at her words, and the more I think about it, the more I realize she’s perfect.
Chapter 5
Amber
We've eaten, drank a bottle of champagne, and now we’re sitting around the pool with a dessert platter. The fairy lights brighten up the space and the music is soft and romantic.
“So, how are you planning to win the bet?” he drawls, and I want to curl underneath his arms and listen to him talk to me all night. I’ve heard lots of gorgeous accents since I’ve lived in the US, but none are like his.
“Well,” I sip on another glass of champagne and take a nibble from the tasting platter Jack ordered after I turned down his offer for dinner.
And the more champagne I drink, the more I need food, and the more I’ll spill my life on him. “I’m not planning to. This is my time to kick back from my work life. To be honest with you, I’ve mentally already handed over the check.”
He laughs, a deep hearty sound, and I’m so in trouble, I could get hooked on his voice.
“And what brings you to Vegas?” I ask.
“I’m here helping my friends celebrate a business merger,” he replies, nodding in his friends’ direction, then he leans back against the lounger.
“And you’re sitting here with me,” I say.
He turns and smiles at me. His hand reaches for my hair, and he starts playing with a lock, twirling it over and over. “Your hair is like silk,” he says. “I’ve been desperate to touch it.”
“That feels nice,” I respond, letting this stranger get closer and closer.
When our eyes meet, I am entranced by his gaze. I know this could just be a holiday romance. Not that it is. But if it is, I shouldn’t treat it as anything else, but I still want to get to know him better.
“So, you’re permanently single?” I say, surprising both him and myself with the suddenness of the statement.
“Up to now, you?”
I nod. “I am now.”
“Lucky me,” he says with a grin.
I laugh.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asks.
