Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
When we sat at a poker table in the casino, she handed me her phone so I could leisurely scroll through the hundreds of pictures of her daughter. I admit I stalled around the twentieth because that photo was taken outside Calvetti’s on a sunny day. I know that brick exterior anywhere, and the woman holding little Luisa in her arms took my breath away.
With barely any makeup on, Gina was smiling at her niece.
I was tempted to send myself the picture so I could stare at it for the rest of my life, but I didn’t because Bella would have jumped all over that with a discussion about our pending wedding and future children.
Bella’s love for Gina is solid and unwavering. She wants only the best for her older sister, so I consider it a huge compliment that she believes I’m the man for her. I admit that I’m attracted to her. It’s more than attraction. I’ve thought about Gina in every compromising position imaginable, but I doubt like hell she’s ever thought about me that way.
I know for a fact I’m not on her mind right now because she’s sitting in a booth in the VIP area of Veil West with some goof who is staring at her cleavage like he’s never seen a pair of tits before.
At least when I was checking out Gina during this trip, I was somewhat subtle about it.
“Gina!” I call out to her with a slim sliver of hope that she’ll ditch the guy in the black silk shirt for me.
The loud music bouncing off the walls drowns me out.
I try again, “Gina! Over here!”
I get nothing from her. There’s not even a glance in my direction. Hell, I’d take a middle finger salute at this point, but all I get is ignored.
“I don’t think she can hear you, Daniel.”
The sound of a woman’s voice behind me turns me around.
I come face-to-face with one of Everest’s granddaughters. It’s not the woman I gave the extra drink to at the pool. This one is younger, blonder, and looks a little glassy-eyed.
I was introduced to her earlier, but since my focus was on Everest, I can’t match the face with the name at the moment. I take a stab in the dark since I know all three granddaughters have names that start with E.
“Hey, Edith!” I smile, hoping that will soften the blow if I fucked up her name.
Her nose scrunches. “Edith is my grandma.”
Shit.
“I’m Ensley.” She sighs. “Remember?”
“Of course I do,” I lie.
She glances past me toward the VIP area. “Wait a minute. Is that Gina Calvetti? We saw her at the pool earlier. It was before you hit on Elowen.”
Elowen hit on me and missed the mark because I couldn’t shake the image of Gina’s long legs in that fucking bathing suit she was wearing.
I don’t bother correcting Ensley.
“That’s Gina Calvetti,” I say proudly, as though I have something to do with the fact that Gina is recognized on a regular basis. That’s all her because she’s created a social media presence that has afforded her a fortune.
Ensley nods. “She’s more beautiful in person. How do you know her?”
I steal a glance at Gina over my shoulder. Now, she’s leaning closer to the guy. From this angle, it looks like she’s engrossed in whatever bullshit is coming out of his mouth.
“We’re old friends,” I say. “I’m actually here with her.”
“Here?” Ensley points to the floor. “As in this club, or here, as in Vegas?”
Before I can answer, Ensley has reached up to put a death grip on my forearm with her hand. “You were with her at the pool. You’re in this club. She’s in the club.”
“True,” I acknowledge with a curt nod.
Her eyes light up as she continues, “Elowen was confused when she said you hit on her, wasn’t she? You’re dating Gina. Has she been keeping you hidden from all of us?”
“All of you?” I question, wishing she’d let up on my arm because this petite blonde has some serious strength.
“Her fans.” She bats her eyelashes. “She hasn’t posted about a guy in a long time, but look at her. How can someone like that not have a boyfriend?”
Because the bastards she’s given her attention to have pissed away their chance to make her happy for the rest of her life.
Ensley finally lets go of my arm. I smooth my palm over the sleeve of my suit jacket to chase away the wrinkles she left behind.
“You should do something about that.” Her hand sails in the air past my head. “That creep is putting the moves on her.”
That spins me around. I’m greeted with the sight of Gina’s head tossed back in laughter as the guy she’s with inches even closer to her. The way he’s eyeing up her mouth looks like he’s ready to plant a kiss on her.