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“She looks crestfallen.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve been known to lose significant amounts of money.”
Sam rolled her eyes—again.
“Where are we now? How far away is the restaurant?” she asked as we walked past several high-end stores.
“Diversification of income. Hotels on the Strip have become entertainment destinations. Concerts, shopping, and other activities not related to gambling bring in huge amounts of cash.”
Her eyes were wide as we walked by a well-known jewelry store. “People win, then buy diamonds?”
I laughed and shook my head. “People lose more and buy diamonds anyway. Most of our guests can afford both.”
There was a look of disgust on her face. “While others have food insecurity.”
“Come again?”
“People who lack consistent access to enough food for everyone living in their household to eat.”
Sam had the ability to make me feel guilty about my family’s wealth with the utterance of a single sentence. And while my parents, Lavery, and I gave to numerous charities, there were countless more we could support.
“You’re right,” I said, feeling ashamed, particularly after saying I’d been known to lose big at the craps tables and knowing there were times when Sam had gone without food when her mother’s wages were stretched thin.
We were stopped several more times on our way to the restaurant by people who knew me.
“I hope you don’t think I’m being rude by not introducing you, but in most cases, I’ve no idea who these people are.”
Sam raised a brow but didn’t comment.
“Here we are,” I said, motioning to the entrance of the steak house.
“Oh my God, Beau, I can’t eat here,” she gasped.
“Why ever not?”
She pointed to her feet. “I’m wearing Chucks.”
I shook my head. “I told you your attire was fine.”
“Do you even own tennis shoes?”
“Of course I do.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never seen you wear them.”
“Of course you haven’t. We’ve never played tennis together.”
“Argh.” Sam stalked off in the direction from which we’d come.
“Hey,” I said, hurrying after her. “I thought you wanted to eat.”
“You eat. I’ll be fine with what you had delivered to the room.”
I raced around and blocked her path, stunned when I saw tears in her eyes. “I’ve done something to upset you, but for the life of me, I have no idea what it is.”
When her eyes darted to the people walking past us, I put my hand on her elbow and led her to the side of the corridor.
“Please tell me what I’ve done.”
