“When I think about it—I meanreallythink about it—this is exactly what I want,” I continued. “You don’t have to worry that I’m doing something I don’t want to do. That’s not the case.”
“Okay … but how are you going to do this?” Opal planted her hands on her hips. “Like … are you going to stay in the casino?”
“A casino doesn’t seem like a good home for a kid,” Pearl offered helpfully.
“I’ve considered that.” It wasn’t a lie. I’d been making lists and doing research for days at this point. “I think I’m going to stay in my suite at the casino for at least two years. I know it’s not ideal, but it will allow me to save up for a place outside the city.”
Genuine horror washed over Opal’s features. “You’re not moving to the suburbs, are you?”
Her disdain wasn’t unexpected. Still, it left me feeling defensive. “Summerlin South isn’t too bad. Or Lake Las Vegas.”
“Well, Lake Las Vegas isn’t bad,” Opal conceded. “It’s really expensive, though.”
“That’s why I need to save up.”
“But … a baby in a casino?” Opal cringed. “How is that even going to work?”
“It’s not as if my area of the casino is loud,” I reminded them. “It’s quiet. The rooms are soundproofed fairly well. The baby won’t know he or she is living in a casino. I can take him or her to parks until I find a house. I mean … it’s not so bad.”
“I don’t know.” Opal wasn’t conceding the point. “There are naked people everywhere. What if the baby decides it likes the showgirls’ boobs better than yours? That’s a whole different sort of judgment.”
I frowned. “Why did you have to put that idea into my head?”
She shrugged. “I was just thinking about things last night. I couldn’t turn my brain off.”
Since I hadn’t been able to turn my brain off, I understood where she was coming from. “I’m still figuring things out. For the first year, it’s definitely fine. I can take the back exit so the baby won’t be on the casino floor.”
“Yes, but you’ll still be on the Strip.”
“Baby’s first contact buzz,” Pearl said with a laugh.
She wasn’t wrong. Even though nobody was supposed to smoke pot on the Strip, you could smell it in every direction. “I’ll figure it out.” That was the only response I could come up with.
“But … you’re excited?” Opal’s gaze was seeking as it roamed my face.
I didn’t have to think on it long. “Yeah. I’m excited.”
“Well, then we’re excited for you.”
“We’ll help with whatever you need,” Pearl promised. “Honestly, I’m a little excited too.”
Things inside me unclenched. “I’m glad. When do you think Mom is going to be excited?”
“Three more days,” Opal replied without missing a beat. “The only thing you’re going to have to worry about with her is the Grandma thing.”
“Right.” I grinned. “I was thinking it might be fun to teach the baby to call her Granny.”
My sisters burst out laughing.
“Oh, I think that’s definitely the way to go,” Pearl said. “I’m onboard for that.”
I ONLY BOUGHT A FEW THINGS.There was an adorable baby blanket that showed the Las Vegas skyline, and I couldn’t pass it up. I also bought four books. I knew nothing about being a mother. It was time I learned.
I hummed to myself as I cut through the casino, my bag clutched tightly in my hand. I was lost in thought—there was so much to wrap my head around—that I didn’t realize I was about to collide with a solid wall of muscle until it was too late.
I smacked into the man’s wide chest and immediately started falling backwards. Two strong hands gripped my shoulders before I could drop too far.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurted automatically. When I looked up, I realized it was Rex. My cheeks immediately started burning with embarrassment. “I didn’t see you there.”
