Page 69 of Playing with Forever
I entered the casino and made my way over to Violet’s table, watching her from the side as she dealt a hand to the players sitting in front of her. I didn’t want to distract her while she focused on her job.
Casinos never made me very comfortable. Between my lack of poker face if I played and the memories of my father’s behavior and gambling addiction, it put me on edge. But Violet was in her element here, in full command of her table, and I loved watching her work.
When she wrapped up her shift, another dealer came up behind her as the players left and tapped her on the shoulder. Violet stepped back, the other dealer stepped forward, and the next round began.
Violet saw me and grinned, walking over. “Hey! You made it!”
“Why do you say it like that?” I teased, hugging her hello.
“Because you’re always so busy with that hot man of yours,” Violet teased me right back. “C’mon, I get to eat at the buffet for free.”
We made our way over to the casino’s buffet, one of the many insanely delicious restaurants that Vegas was famous for. We filled up our plates, and I waited for Violet to notice the new accessory on my left hand.
By the time we’d sat down, she still hadn’t.
I was right-handed but I did my best to eat with my left hand so she could see the two carat diamond ring catching the light, but Violet was too busy talking about her day. I kept trying to hold back my laughter.
Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Notice anything different about me?”
Violet frowned, examining my face. “If he knocked you up and I’m supposed to notice because your boobs are getting bigger or you’re glowing or something…”
“Oh my God.” I rolled my eyes and thrust out my left hand. “Look.”
Violet’s eyes went wide. She dropped her fork and grabbed my hand. “Oh my God!” she squealed in excitement.
I grinned so hard it hurt my cheeks. My heart felt like it might float out of my chest. “He proposed last night.”
“That’s amazing!” She pressed a hand to her heart, smiling. “I’m so happy for you. What did he do?”
“He made dinner and set it on top of my dessert,” I said, laughing.
Violet’s brows rose. “He’s really getting into cooking, huh?”
I shrugged, but my heart did a little flutter when I thought of him in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, brow furrowed in concentration. “He likes to cook, and it’s one of the ways he enjoys taking care of me. And I think it’s therapeutic for him.”
“Putting the ring on top of a dessert?” she asked, shaking her head. “Kind of cheesy. But of course you loved it.”
“Of course I did. And it’s not cheesy if it’s the right person. Then it’s just… earnest and sweet.”
Violet feigned a gag, but she was grinning. “God save me.”
“Someday, you’re going to eat those words. Just you watch.”
“I don’t need a boyfriend.”
“But you could use some fun, right?” I asked, reaching into my purse. My fingers brushed the invitation I’d brought for her, and pulled it out with a flourish. “Ta da.”
Violet took the invitation, her face lighting up like I’d handed her the keys to her own private fantasy, and I guess in a way, I had. “Thank you thank you thank you, did I mention you’re the best sister ever?”
“So, is this sufficient bribery for being my maid of honor?” I teased.
“Oh, well… I suppose…” Violet leaned over and hugged me tight. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this.”
And for once, I didn’t argue. I didn’t deflect or downplay it. I just…accepted it. Because the truth was, I did deserve this. I’d fought hard for my happiness, for my life. And Chase was the best part of it.
When Violet went back to her shift, I floated out of the casino on a cloud of joy, eager to get home. My body still ached in the best possible way from last night’s celebration—hot, desperate, passionate sex—and I couldn’t wait to spend the night in Chase’s arms again.
But when I walked through the door, Chase was fully dressed, shoes on, jacket in hand, tension written across every line of his body.
