Wild Luck (Vegas Billionaire Obsession #2) (3 page)

“Hey. Are you listening?” Monica said as she shook my shoulder to get my attention. “What else is going on with you?”

I did not want to tell Monica about Drew yet. It was too soon, and I couldn’t bear for it to get out at work yet.

“Nothing. Isn’t this missing ticket enough?” I had to throw her off the scent fast. She could read me like a book, and if I had even hinted at anything, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.

I slumped down on the sofa and sighed. “Maybe I should just accept that it’s gone.”

Monica shook her head as she sat beside me. “Are you crazy? You can’t tell me you’re ready to give up. Come on, Leslie. You’re a fighter. Everyone knows that.”

“Do they?” I asked. I felt defeated. “It’s not in any of these piles, and I’ve searched the car over and over again. And look at this place... it’s a mess.”

Monica lifted my chin so I would look at her. “You’re right. This is a shitty place, and now it’s messy. But when you find the ticket you can worry about fixing that. Give me your car keys.”

“Why?” I asked, a bit skeptical.

Monica rolled my eyes and held out her hand. “We have to go back to and check the car. That’s where you said you put it, right?”

“Yes, but—”

“No more buts,” she said, cutting me off. “You can stay in here and continue to look, but I’m doing my digging outside.”

I sighed. It was hopeless, but got up and gave her the keys.

“Wait,” he stopped in her tracks as he made her way to the door. “Didn’t Drew take your car to get fixed?”

Shit
. I had hoped we could avoid the question of Drew. Now I had to tell her I had seen him that night.

“It wasn’t him,” I said, trying to keep it simple. “He didn’t take it.”

“And how do you know?”

I thought I’d try Drew’s logic. “Why would anyone take a lottery ticket before the numbers get drawn, Monica?”

“True.” She studied me for a moment. “But do you know for sure?”

“Yes. He didn’t take it.”

“How do you know for certain?”

“Because I asked him, Monica. He said he didn’t touch the glove compartment and he didn’t see any ticket.”

“Wait a minute. Do you have his phone number?”

I couldn’t lie to her. “No.”

“So how did you ask him?”

I hesitated. God, I really didn’t want to tell her anything more. Not that she was a gossip or anything, but it was too soon to be sharing. I didn’t want her to think I was weak when I slept with him, or that we were becoming an item.

“I went to his place, okay?”

“What, like just now?”

“Yeah. A couple hours ago when I started looking for the ticket.”

“And what did he say?”

I started to think she was asking lots of questions to try and read me. She was looking at my body language, assessing me somehow.

“He said he didn’t take it. Now stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you want more details than what I’m telling you.”

“Les, there’s something you’re not telling me, that’s why I keep asking.”

“What are you talking about, Monica?”

“You are keeping something from me. Think I can’t tell? You were keeping something from me on Saturday too. I could see it in your eyes then, and I’m seeing it now. Now spill it or else.”

“Or else what?” I hadn’t seen Monica this persistent since we were in college.

She tugged my arm and pulled me back to the sofa, and playfully pushed me to sit down.

“Or else I’ll pin you to this couch and tickle you until you tell me everything. Think I can’t get it out of you? You’ve forgotten I know how to make you squeal!”

“Alright, alright already,” I said. She really knew all my weaknesses and being tickled was the worst of them all. I couldn’t stand being tickled. And I was ticklish everywhere. “Geez, Monica. Okay I went to his place. And he’s been here. We’ve kissed. And—I slept with him twice.”

Monica went bug-eyed. “What? You go, girl! When? But—how did you—um. Look you have to tell me everything okay? I mean everything, from how it started to how good he is in bed, to how big his dick is. Don’t leave anything out!”

“Seriously, Monica. Now is not a good time. I don’t want to think about it, and I don’t want to talk about it. I still need to get dressed, and I thought you were here to help me find the ticket?”

“Okay, okay. Here’s the plan. You get dressed and I’ll check your car while I wait. And I’ll drive you to and from work, so you can tell every steamy detail since you started holding out on me.”

I looked at her and had to smile. She was incorrigible. I knew she was not going to stop hounding me either. It was best if I came clean.

“Deal,” I said. “Good plan. And okay, I’ll tell you everything on the way to work.”

“Sweet! Nothing this sexy has happened to me lately, so you’d better not leave anything out. This time, I’m living vicariously through you, missy. Okay I’ll be outside.”

I let out a sigh of relief when she left the apartment. Part of me was glad I didn’t have to hide it from her anymore. And the other part was happy I could defer the inquisition for another half hour at least. I took a quick shower, decided to skip blow-drying my hair, and put on the easiest work outfit I could find in the closet.
I needed to keep looking for that ticket!

I walked back to the living room and groaned at the piles. Monica was right—I needed to worry about the mess later, after I had that sweet ticket in my hands. As she was focused on the car outside, I went to my bookcase and began pulling out books. I loved to read and I thought I may have mistakenly used it as a bookmarker. I doubted it, though, but figured I’d try. Sadly, each book I looked through brought on another round of disappointment.

“It’s useless,” I grumbled, removing the last book and tossing it to the side. “It’s gone.”

I felt defeated. I walked back to the sofa and sat with my head in my hands. There was a loud pounding at my door just then, bringing me to my feet. I rushed to the door and opened it up. It was Monica again, eyes shining, chest heaving, barely able to breathe.

“Why didn’t you just open the door with my keys?”

“Les... Les... oh my gosh, I forgot...I need... to catch... my breath.”

I grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. “What is it?”

She held up a ticket. I stood there, gawking at it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Finally, Monica squealed, “I found it!”

We held on to each other and jumped up and down from the excitement. It was the ticket.
It was my winning ticket
! I snatched it from her, loving the way it felt between my fingers. It made me feel lightheaded, like it wasn’t really happening.

“But I searched that whole car? Where did you find it?”

She held up a finger, still trying to catch her breath. I pulled her down on the sofa to patiently hear the story.

“On the floor... passenger side,” she said as she caught her breath. “It was lying face down.”

I beamed. “Do you know what this means!”

I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. It all seemed so surreal.

“I’m—I’m—” I closed my eyes, beaming at the unimaginable thought. “I’m a millionaire, Monica. I’m rich!”

We got up off the couch again and jumped up and down again like crazy fools, hugging each other and screaming with excitement. I felt like a kid again. I could burst from the euphoria.

“Yes, and you owe me dinner! And don’t think you’re fucking changing the subject on the way to work. You’re gonna tell me everything about you and Drew.”

Drew

I
arrived at the studio at four in the morning. It was four o’clock on the nose because I hate being late. I was the first one there, and brimming with anxiety. I had to look for her ticket. I felt responsible, somehow, and wanted to do what I could to make sure that ticket was found, and safely in Leslie’s possession.

She really deserved happiness, and I wanted to be the one to find it, if at all possible. I headed to my dressing room to put down my things, and went to see if she was around yet. Something told me she’d be here early to check. She wasn’t at her cubicle, and as I stood at its entry, a thought crossed his mind. It seemed wrong, but I had the urge to start the hunt without her. I looked around the empty building and shrugged. I scanned her desk to see if it was laid out in the open, and checked her walls to see if she might have posted it up with a thumb tack. I finally stopped on a picture.

It was a photo of a dark-haired man, dressed in army fatigues, leaning against a Hummer. I stared at the picture. I had never heard any talk of Leslie having a boyfriend. And I never asked, so I guessed it was possible. It wasn’t like we had talked about it. It seemed like I was always stuttering and falling over my words when she was around. I couldn’t believe we had only known each other for a week.

“Sure seems longer than a week,” I mumbled, still focusing on the picture. I could see how someone would find him somewhat attractive, but I couldn’t help feeling a hint of jealousy.

“What are you doing?”

I jumped when I heard the voice behind me. I turned slowly. It was Monica.

“Oh, hi. Nothing. I just stopped because—I had a cramp in my leg.”

I could kick myself for such a lame excuse. By the look on Monica’s face, she thought it was lame too. She looked me up and down with a wry smile, like she knew more than she was letting on.

“Well, hope it feels better.”

“Thanks. So, have you seen Leslie?”

“Yes, she’s just putting some bottled water in the fridge,” she answered, walking over to the cubicle next to Leslie’s.

“Tell her I’ll come and talk to her later,” I said, turning to head back to my dressing room. As I turned, I saw Leslie walk through the staff kitchen door. She wore a cute polo shirt and a khaki skirt with tan pumps. She looked so sexy in that skirt. She noticed I was looking at her and came up to me, smiling broadly. God, she was beautiful.

“How are you?” I asked.

“Great thanks.”

“Um, can I talk to you—privately? We can use my dressing room. I promise it’ll just be a couple of minutes.”

“Sure,” she answered. “You go on ahead. I just have to put my stuff down and I’ll be right there.

As I got back to the dressing room, I wondered if I should mention anything about the guy in the photo. I had no right asking, but I couldn’t help thinking about it.

I noticed there was a script laying on my desk that wasn’t there before. People were starting to come in, and I knew they prepped most of our speaking points the day before, except for the breaking news pieces. I was about to read it when she knocked at the door.

“Hello.” As usual, my mind went blank when I saw her.

“Hey.” She had a broad smile on her face. Her eyes were bright and happy. She was beaming. I wondered if it had anything to do with what we had done a few hours before—but then again, she left my place like a bat out of hell, so it couldn’t be that.

“Come in.” I stood back so she could enter, and pushed the door closed.

“Thanks. I won’t stay long. I don’t mean to bother you, Drew.”

“You’re not bothering me. I asked you to speak with you, remember? And for the record, you can come talk to me whenever you want to.” All I wanted to do was touch her. I wondered what she was thinking about.

“Well I also wanted to tell you something.  I need to apologize for this morning, and I didn’t want too much time to pass.”

I was confused. “Apologize for what?”

“I jumped to conclusions. I shouldn’t have come to your place like that.”

Hmmm... could this be about us sleeping together?
She looked like she had more to say, so I let her finish.

“I accused you of taking my ticket. I was wrong. I know now you didn’t do it. And I’m sorry.”

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m glad you came by and asked me directly. I’m not upset.”

The apology wasn’t for what I was expecting, but it was a start. She at least knew I wasn’t a thief. I looked at her. She was bouncing from one foot to the other, and seemed unable to settle down. It was so unlike her, from what I had seen so far.

“Everything alright, Leslie?”

“Yes! Yes! Everything is fine! The ticket... I found it! Well, actually, Monica came by this morning and found it for me. And I really won, Drew. I really won!”

“You did?” I asked, feeling relief, and catching some of her excitement. Watching her was contagious. “That’s great! Congratulations, Leslie. You more than deserve it.”

I thought about hugging her, but I held back. I couldn’t be too forward, especially here work. But she beat me to it. In no time, her hands were on my shoulders, and she reached up on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek. On instinct, my hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her close.

“Thanks for offering to help me find it. I can tell you meant well.”

“No problem. It would have been a pleasure. You know, I think I need to apologize to you too.”

Her eyes widened as her hands slid down to rest on my chest. “You do?”

I nodded. “Yes, I should have never been so forward with you those last few times.” Her face reddened. I couldn’t look at her, she seemed embarrassed. I glanced away. “It was a mistake. I had no idea you had a boyfriend.”

I met her eyes again and saw her face was flushed as she pulled away. “It’s not your fault. We were both in the heat of the moment and...” her voice trailed off. “I’m sorry... did you say boyfriend?”

I could have kicked myself for saying it. Now I had to admit I was looking around at her cubicle.

“I saw the picture on your desk.”

“Picture on my...” her eyes widened and she started smiling again.

“Is something funny?” I asked, confused by the reaction.

“That picture isn’t my boyfriend.”

“It’s not?”

“No. It’s my brother.” As her words came out, she was smiling, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “He died three years ago in a car accident... drunk driver.”

“I’m—God, I’m so sorry, Leslie.” I felt a tug in my chest when I saw the emotion in her eyes.

“Thanks. He was so strong. I keep his picture on my desk to remind myself I can be just as strong. I try to, anyway.”