Macy grins over her shoulder as the sliding doors open in front of her. “I like the way you think.”
I flash a grin and bat my lashes. “And you thought I was just a pretty face.”
She giggles as we step out into the warm Vegas air, and I discreetly scan the mass of people for Alana and Dean but come up with nothing.
“I need to connect with my brother at some point, too.” With Holden being on the road so much, riding bulls and chasing buckles, we haven’t seen each other since Christmas. Add in that he’s moved from Colorado to Montana to be with Alana and to run the ranch, and our schedules aren’t likely to align again anytime soon.
“Oh. I forgot the ABR was in town.” Macy waggles her eyebrows. “I’d be happy to tag along. You know, for moral support.”
“I thought you and I were going to be the level-headed ones this weekend.”
“I was thinking about that,” she said with a grin. “I don’t see how it would hurt to explore our options on the man front.”
Oh, I already know which man I’d like toexplore. Lady Luck wouldn’t put Dean and me together in the same city if she didn’t mean for me to make something of it.
My brothers might’ve warned me off the stubborn but oh-so-handsome cowboy when I visited the ranch at Christmas. He’s ten years older than me, but I’m twenty-two, and I’ve been making solid decisions on my own for a long time now, just like they’ve made theirs.
If my path should cross with the sexy foreman’s this weekend, bets are I’ll be going all in.
* * *
“This was a fabulous idea,” Bella says as she finishes her second lemon drop martini in the casino bar. “I love you all so much. You always know what I need.”
“Aw, you’re sweet.” Macy wraps an arm around the bride’s shoulders in the semi-circle booth. “And obviously buzzing.”
“Maybe a little.” The bride waves a hand in front of her flushed face. “Do you think T.J. will notice?”
“Bells, we don’t have to be at the rehearsal for two hours,” I point out while I run my finger along the sugar lining my martini glass. “In fact, I don’t know about you ladies, but I think I’m ready to drop some cash into one of these slot machines. Anyone else feeling lucky?”
Holly bounces excitedly beside me. “Yes! Oh my god, I’ve been dying to play.”
Britt glances out over the casino floor. “I’m down as long as we find hot guys to flirt with, too.”
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Let’s go.” I down the last of my drink and slide out of the booth with the girls behind me. Bella loops her arm through mine as a group of older men at the bar notice herBride to Besash and raise their glasses.
“Thank you!” she calls back with a little finger wave. “I’m starting to regret not doing a formal bachelorette party.”
“Yeah? Nothing says we can’t live it up tonight after the rehearsal dinner,” I say.
Holly and Britt simultaneously groan. As co-maids of honor, they would have probably preferred to be more prepared, but if there’s any place in the world we could pull off a last-minute rendezvous, it’s Sin City.
Bella presses her lips together, then shrugs. “As fun as it might be, I would hate myself in the morning. Besides, T.J. didn’t have a bachelor party either, so I’d feel bad.”
“Speaking of the groom…” Macy tips her head toward a group of familiar guys crowded around a craps table just as T.J. glances over and flashes a bright grin.
“There’s my bride!” he says. “Come on over here, doll face, and gimme some luck.”
Bella gives a giddy squeak before she ditches my arm in favor of her soon-to-be husband’s. In turn, the best man crooks his finger at me.
“I could use some luck, too, sugar.” Spencer waggles his eyebrows in jest.
I let out a huff. I’ve known him as long as I’ve known Bella and T.J., and he’s always been an over-the-top flirt. I play it off, but everyone in our circle of friends knows he’s only half teasing. He’s asked me out almost a dozen times since we were freshmen in college, and I’ve turned him down every single time. It would break Holly’s heart if I said yes, and frankly, I’m just not interested.
“Sorry, but luck is not on my side today. Holly, however, just found a heads-up penny in the elevator.” I shove my friend toward the craps table, and she practically stumbles over her own feet. Thankfully, Spencer hooks an arm around her waist to keep her from face-planting.
“Sorry!” She awkwardly pushes her dark hair from her face and looks up at him through her lashes. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” He smiles down at her and holds out a pair of dice. “Wanna blow me?”
