Believe it or not,Ihad lived inLasVegasfor four years and had never once gambled.Look…Iwas a poor college student.I’drather spend any extra moneyIhad to splurge on food—there were only so many ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwichesIcould eat in a week.
But today was a celebration, andIwas going to go to the casinos and have a little fun.Withthat said,Istill didn’t have a lot of money, soItold myselfIwas limiting my evening to a hundred dollars out of my own pocket.Hopefully,Iwould win some along the way and be able to stretch that money all night.
We were all dolled up and headed to theLasVegasStrip.Gobig or go home.Ihad on a pair of dark jeans—my favorite pair that hugged and molded my body perfectly.Iwas average height and had more of an athletic build, but these jeans made my legs look longer and my butt look amazing.I’dpaired it with an emerald-green sequin,V-neck tank—the perfect color to highlight my hazel eyes and auburn hair.I’dalways been told that wearing green brought out my eyes, andIloved it.Plus, it matched my emerald-green glittery heelsIhad borrowed from my roommateJess, so it felt perfect for a night out.
The girls andIwent to one of the most famous casinos right in the heart of the strip and started with the slot machines.Thesewere easy since you just pushed a few buttons or pulled on a lever, so we could chat and have a drink while we played.Then, my roommateKaryn—the wild one in the bunch—wanted to go try some of the card tables.I’dplayed card games before, but mostly things like solitaire, war, and rummy.Notpoker or baccarat or blackjack.
We decided on roulette because that seemed easier than card games since you just had to pick a number or color to bet on.Karynwas on fire, and a small crowd had started to form to watch her as she won her fifth game in a row.
We weren’t betting high amounts—mostly just trying to make our money last longer—but the crowd didn’t seem to care.
Suddenly, my eyes caught a man off to the side wearing aHawaiianshirt.Despiteall the attention onKarynwhile she played, his gaze seemed to be on me.Onceour eyes met, he smiled at me, causing a small dimple to pop out.Hehad olive-toned skin,ItalianorMediterraneanwas my guess.Dark, close-cropped hair, and chocolate brown eyes.Hewas tall, several inches taller than me, even with my heels on.Itwas more than that, though.Hehad a presence, one that commanded the attention of the room, even in that ridiculous, bright-colored floral shirt.
I briefly smiled back at him, because who wouldn’t?Theman was sexy as hell.ButthenIbrought my focus back to my roommate, who had once again won.Peoplewere cheering and clapping around us.Sheplayed two more rounds before she finally lost, but it was all in fun since she hadn’t bet much.
“Okay, let’s try something else,”Karynsaid to us. “Howabout blackjack?That’san easy card game to start with because it’s just simple math.”
I knew the basics of blackjack, even thoughI’dnever played before.Plus,Iwas good at math, soIfigured this would be a good card game to ease into.
We sat down at a table, and a few of the people who had watchedKarynplay earlier had followed us to the new table—likely to see if she would continue her lucky streak.
It started with just us roommates at the table for the first round.Thankfully, the dealer explained the basics toJessand me.
“Hello, ladies.Myname isTara.Welcome,” she said politely to us.
She explained that all player cards were face up, except the dealer’s.Forthe dealer, the first card was up, and then the second card was facedown.Theperson who got closest to twenty-one without going over wins.Thatdidn’t seem quite fair to me that they got to see all my cards butIcouldn’t see theirs, but whatever.
I was nervous but excited.Icould see why some people loved playing these games.Ihadn’t even won at roulette, but it was fun to watch everyone else around you.Hopefully, my luck would be better at this game.
Right out of the gate, my first card was an ace, followed by an eight forKaryn, a four forJess, and a nine for the dealer.Then, as the dealer dealt our second cards…boom!Igot a king.
“Blackjack,” the dealer said out loud.
“Lucky bitch,”Karynteased, smiling at me.
The dealer continued to lay the cards down, withKaryngetting another eight, a queen forJess, followed by a ten for the dealer.I’dwon!
It seemed that whileKaryn’sluck may have shifted, mine was just starting to pick up.Twomore rounds, two more wins for me!
After three straight losses,Jessdecided to call it quits, so it became justKarynand me.ToKaryn’sright, a woman who had been cheering for her earlier decided to join in and takeJess’sseat.Tomy left, the good-looking man in theHawaiianshirt sat down.
“Hoping some of your good luck rubs off on me,” he said to me with a grin that should be illegal in all fifty states.
He was already incredibly attractive, but when he grinned, he was dangerous.Agrin like that could make a grown woman say yes to things she never knew she wanted.
I didn’t respond.Instead,Ijust smiled back and then turned back to the dealer.
My next hand came out to yet another ace, but this time along with a ten, giving me another winning hand.
“Oh myGod, girl, you are on fire!”Jesssaid behind me.
“MaybeIshould bail now whileI’mahead,”Isaid to the girls.
“Hell no.Keepgoing while you’re hot!”Karynenthusiastically added, andJessandIchuckled at her excitement.
“You’re definitely hot,” the man next to me said as he leaned in a little closer.
Not enough so that he was in my personal space, but just enough so onlyIcould hear him and not anyone else.Notsure what to say back to that,Ijust gave a small smile in return.
