Wild Luck (Vegas Billionaire Obsession #2) (5 page)

“And you’ve been playing the lottery for four years?”

Leslie nodded, her contagious smile lit up her face.

“I have. I had a feeling I would have to win one day.”

I couldn’t believe it. She was doing her lottery interview for all of Dallas to see. I wished she had asked for some advice before doing a live interview. It would now be open season for all of the scum around Leslie’s circle. I could picture the vultures circling already, just waiting to take advantage of her.

“And is it true you continued playing alone, even though your friends dropped out?”

“It is. I couldn’t stop. I kept thinking, if the numbers came up after I stopped, I’d never forgive myself. I had to keep at it.”

“Your former pool members must be crying now.”

“Probably.”

“So tell us, what’s the first thing you plan on doing, now that you’re a multi-millionaire??”

“I’m still thinking about it. Probably a short vacation.”

“Anywhere in particular?”

I shrugged. “I always wanted to see Las Vegas. Maybe Europe. I guess the possibilities are endless.”

“Indeed they are,” the man agreed. “I have just one more question for you, Ms. Adams. You’re a winner. But will you continue playing?”

“I honestly haven’t really thought about that. I enjoy the routine of playing, but it would kind of seem greedy, don’t you think?”

The man smiled, turning his attention to the camera. “You heard her. It might be a longshot to win the lottery, but it’s definitely worth it. This was our newest Texas lottery winner, Miss Leslie Adams, the sole winner of the twenty-eight million dollar jackpot.”

“Cut!” A person behind the camera yelled out after a few seconds.

The group anxiously talked about the clip and how it would play on the evening news. I watched until everyone finally dispersed, and then approached Leslie. She seemed so excited and energetic as she finished the interview.

“So how was I?”

“You did well. You’re a natural.”

“Really?”

“You are, Leslie. Don’t ever doubt it. Can I talk to you about something?”

“Definitely.”

I stood silently, fighting to get the words out. It was going to be a tough conversation, but I felt compelled to raise it.

“Um...were those the lottery officials?”

She nodded, sitting at her desk and continuing to work. “Yeah, exciting, huh?”

“Definitely. I can see how excited you are.” I sighed. It was stupid not to just come out with it. “You have consulted a lawyer, right?”

I looked up. “What? Why would I need a lawyer?”

“You were just on a state-wide TV show, Leslie. And it looks like our station will air it so all of our Dallas viewership will see it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes and what’s the problem?”

“Well, I can guarantee you that once people learn you won money, you’ll have ten thousand new friends and relatives you didn’t know you had. People will gravitate to you, because they will see you as innocent and think they can get something from you.”

“No one’s going to do that, Drew. That would be too obvious.”

“I am just saying that you can’t trust everyone you come across. I’m trying to help you.”

She shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t trust everyone, and I won’t be anyone’s financial savior.”

“I know how people can be when this kind of thing happens. I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection, Drew. I can handle things perfectly well.”

“But...”

“Are you a meddler, Drew? Because I think you’ve said your peace and now it feels like you want to control me. I’ll take everything you say into consideration, but I am perfectly capable of handling myself. Now, if you’ll please excuse me.”

I stood aside and watched her walk to Monica’s dressing room. I couldn’t stand there and argue. It was ultimately her decision, but that didn’t mean I had to completely drop it. I went back to my desk and made the call. Shannon answered the phone right away. I wanted to be discreet about my reason for calling, but I knew she would grill me for details.

“I need some legal information,” I told her after her usual pleasantries.

“What did you do now?” she asked.

“No. It’s not for me. It’s advice for a—” I hesitated before finishing the statement. I didn’t know what to call Leslie, other than co-worker. “It’s advice for a new friend,” I decided. I wanted her to be my friend above all.

“I didn’t know you had any new friends,” she replied, chuckling.

That time, I knew she was only kidding. “I’m full of surprises,” I answered, going along with it. “Anyway, I just need some advice.”

“For your friend...” Shannon said.

“Right. If someone was coming into a lot of money suddenly, would you advise them to get a lawyer?”

“Hmmm...” I could hear her sigh on the other end of his line. “This friend wouldn’t happen to be Leslie Adams, would it?”

I almost dropped my phone. “How did you know that?”

“Well, I know where you just started working and I saw the news earlier. You think I can’t put two and two together? Although, I’ve got to tell you, she doesn’t seem your type.”

“She’s not that kind of a friend,” I had to get her off my back quickly. “We work together, and I told her she should talk to someone like you. Should she get a lawyer?”

“Yes. She should definitely get some help—a lawyer or financial advisor—or both.”

“Great. I didn’t want to steer her in the wrong direction.”

“Drew. You’re sure it’s strictly business? You had a little lilt in your voice right there.”

“It’s just business, Shannon.”

“Whatever you say. Remember, your divorce won’t be final for another couple of weeks.”

“And what’s your point?” I asked.

“Give it some time before you jump into another relationship. Your soon-to-be ex-wife is a livewire. And a little crazy.”

“Yes, and she’s with someone now, remember?”

“Yes she is, but it didn’t stop her from slashing your tires the first time she saw you with me. And you and I never dated! The woman’s not right in the head, okay? At least let some grass grow under your feet.”

“Whatever. I’ll talk to you later. Thanks, Shannon.” I disconnected the call, before she could say anything else.

***

Leslie

I
could barely keep it together as I drove home that day. I was still in shock.
I won
! I pulled into my parking lot at home. It seemed like just another normal day, even though in less than three weeks I would have a bank account with a whole lot more zeroes at the end of my balance. A smile crossed my face and I thought of Drew. He was so sweet. I didn’t know why he thought I’d be taken advantage of, but I knew his protective instincts were probably kicking in.

We ended up agreeing on going to dinner on Thursday night. I was almost as excited as how I felt doing that interview. This was one of the happiest days of my life. I would never have to worry about anything, ever again. I could finally move; take a vacation; replace the crap car I had been driving. There were so many possibilities.

I got to my apartment door and sighed. I could buy a house if I felt like it now.
The sky is the limit!
I put my key in my door, but before unlocking it, I heard the door to my neighbor’s apartment open. I looked up and saw Mindy walking up to me, beaming and as happy as punch.

“Congratulations! I saw the lottery news. Good for you!”

I nodded, feeling strange from the sudden good cheer from her. Other than her short apology that one time, she and her husband hadn’t said a whole lot to me since their housewarming party.

“Yes, I’m so happy.”

Mindy smiled. “I bet you are. Are you going to move? What are you going to do first? Has it even hit you yet?”

The questions were never ending. I smiled, but only to be polite. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it. It’s been a roller coaster ride the last couple of days.”

“I bet you’re really over the moon with excitement. I know I would be.”

Again, I had a strange feeling. She was being too friendly.

“It’s been a long day. I think I’m just going to go in and relax. Bye Mindy.”

“Congratulations again! We’ll make sure to keep the music down.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that,” I replied, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me.

I fell back against the door, putting Mindy out of my mind for a minute. I got up and went straight to take a shower. I needed the feel of warm water streaming over my body to clear my head. After drying off, I got dressed in my pajamas and went to the kitchen for a bite to eat. I looked around the room, pulling out items to make a light dinner. As I bent to get a pot, I heard my doorbell.

I pulled myself up and stared at my door. I didn’t want to run into any more neighbors who wanted to discuss the lottery. I was tempted to stay quiet and maybe they would go away. But I heard the doorbell again. I groaned, moving to the door. The pot was still in my hand.

I opened the door and my jaw dropped.

“Brad? What are you doing here?”

“Hello, Leslie. Long time no see.” He looked down at the pot in my hand and his mouth curved up in a smile. “Don’t hit me... I just want to talk.”

Don’t tempt me,
I thought, glaring at him. He was the last person I expected to see.

“May I come in?”

My head and heart were playing a tug of war game. I fought to figure out what I should do, but my bruised heart won out.
What could it hurt?
I stepped back and let him enter the apartment, instantly feeling I was making a big mistake.

I held on to the pot.

“Why are you here, Brad?” I asked, shutting the door behind him.

“I wanted to see you. Is that a crime?”

Our eyes met and I couldn’t deny I still got lost in his eyes. We were together for five years. I’d be foolish to think I could ever forget about him so easily.

“No crime, if you’re being sincere. Last time I checked, you had met someone and were thinking about moving to Florida. Has that changed?”

I crossed my arms, determined not to break.

He shrugged. “She wasn’t you.”

He said it with conviction, but I felt the urge to laugh. I finally did let it out, chuckling as I looked away from him.

“She wasn’t
me
? I wasn’t good enough for you, Brad. You decided to move onto bigger and better things. You dumped me in a text message and you never called back once. How low is that? And how convenient you show up now. Forgive me if I don’t buy your story.”

“I’ve changed,” he said, giving me the same genuine look he would throw my way when we were together. I bought it then, but now I knew I wasn’t ready to believe all his bullshit.

“It wasn’t that long ago.” I pushed past him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm. I looked up at him. “Let go of me.”

His hand dropped and my arm fell to the side.

“Just hear me out. We can get past all this because we love each other.”

I gawked at him. “Loved. I loved you, Brad. Past tense.”

“Come on, Leslie. Admit it. Don’t you wonder what would have become of our relationship if we had stayed together?”

“I don’t have to wonder. You left. I got over it. End of story.”

“We can go back to that time if we want to, honey. Baby, come back to me.”

I heard something in his voice that rang false and desperate. Was he only here because of the ticket? Or was it just coincidental? No amount of pain in his eyes now could surpass the pain I had when he dumped me in the most cowardly way possible.

“You hurt me, Brad. In the worst way. Do you even care about that?”

He nodded. “Of course I do. It was the biggest mistake I ever made, but I want to fix it. If you let me, I’ll be the man I know you always wanted me to be.”

It sounded appealing, but unreal. “If you would have come by two weeks... or even two days ago, I may have considered it. But not now that—”

“Don’t say it.”

He brushed his hand against my cheek and I froze in place. His touch still had a hold on me.

“I still love you, Leslie. And I know that you still love me. Let me show you. Let me make it up to you.”

He moved closer to me, slowly inching forward to kiss me. I couldn’t move. I had craved that kiss so many nights.

“Brad...” I whispered against his lips, but the kiss deepened.

I couldn’t fight it. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me against him. Years of being together flooded my mind and I allowed it to sweep me away. His tongue moved against mine and I felt his possession. His hand reached up and removed the ponytail holder from my hair, letting my hair fall past my shoulders, reminding me of the way he made me feel not so long ago.

I felt his hands tugging at my pajama top. As he pulled the top out of my sweat pants, I kept telling myself he wasn’t being real; that he was only here because of the ticket—but he really did own me for a minute. His hands fumbled on the waistband of my sweatpants as he anxiously tried to remove them, but as he pulled it down, I heard another knock on my door.

Leslie

T
he knock on my front door was a lifesaver. It wrenched my mind back to the present and I got my will power back. I pulled away abruptly.

“They’ll go away,” he whispered, pulling me back to him.

Thankfully, I was back to me senses, and the moment was lost. There was another knock on the door, and this time I heard Drew’s muffled voice.

“Leslie. Let me in. Come on. I know you’re in there. I saw your car outside.”

“Who is that?” Brad asked, anger in his voice and all over his face.

“A co-worker,” I said, pulling my pants back up and rushing to open the door. “Drew. Hi. Thanks so much for coming by.”

“Are you okay? I—” his words dropped off as he looked past me and saw Brad. He raised an eyebrow. “Oh. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I turned around and faced Brad. It was time for him to go. That little visit to the past was too little too late. I saw the disapproval in his eyes, and it pissed me off a little.

“Maybe it’s not a good time,” Drew said. “I’ll just talk to you tomorrow, okay?”