“Sorry, we’re not that close.”
She gapes. “Really? That’s what you’re using your first no on?”
I suppose so. “Yep.”
“Fine. I’ll just guess then.” She purses her lips and studies me for far longer than she should while operating a moving vehicle. “Hobart.”
I rear back. “Hobart? That’s your first guess?”
She screws up her nose. “Not it? Darn, I was looking forward to calling you Hobie.”
I quirk a brow, amused by her humorous attempts, but don’t give her the satisfaction of answering.
“Adam, Kim, Leroy.”
My lips twitch but I ignore each one, counting the stop lights until we make it back to the strip.
“Fernando!”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Why won’t I just tell her my middle name? It’s not that embarrassing, but I like keeping her guessing when she’s doing so much of the same to me.
Chapter 7
Karli
“Idon’tthinkI’mdressed fancy enough,” Trent says as we walk toward the hotel STRAT casino.
“And you think I am? I just fell into cacti.”
“There weren’t any cacti.”
“Well… sharp pointy bushes.” I stop and turn my shoulders and head. “Actually, I might have ripped my pants.” I can’t see my complete backside, but leggings aren’t known to be reliable apparel when falling to one’s death. “Can you check?”
“You’re one confusing woman.” He shakes his head, but steps behind me, anyway.
“Well?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything. What pair of underwear am I potentially exposing? I guess it doesn’t matter if one of those killer bushes cut right through. I bite my lip, waiting. “Does it look okay?”
Trent grunts, then walks around me and continues forward without saying anything.
I hurry to catch up. “Am I fine?”
“That’s not the word I’d use.”
“Why Trent?” I grab his arm and force him to a stop. “Are you saying my butt looks good?”
He keeps his face forward. “I decline to answer.”
I like teasing him. I can do this for three hundred miles. “You only have three no’s left, by the way, and we haven’t even left.”
“I’m aware.”
A group of ladies break between us. Based on the pink tutus and mini veils I’d say they are out for a bachelorette party. One of the partygoers stops to ogle Trent. He pretends not to notice. That or he really didn’t notice. But with how little she’s wearing and how loud her assessment of him is, it’s impossible to miss.
Trent picks up his pace.
“Whoa, down boy,” I say speed walking to catch up. “They weren’t going to hurt you.”
“Yeah right,” he grunts, holding open the door for me. “She would have eaten me alive.”
