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“Darcy!” I gasp, laughing, when she leans in and randomly licks my face. “What the fuck?”
“Admit it.” She gives me a sly grin and wraps her arm around me, while I laugh and push her away. “You’re stoked to see me, because now this vacation has a fighting chance in hell of being at least tolerable for you.”
She’s right. I am thrilled she’s here.
The strangest thing about Lily’s tantrums is that Darcy is one of the few people who can bring her back into line. It’s usually a few harsh words, followed by threat, but it works. I get the feeling I’m going to need a lot of that over the next few days.
“Done.” Lily stalks back over to us. She glares at me. “All checked in. Are you happy now?”
“Thrilled,” I say, dryly. “Can’t you tell?”
She turns her anger to Darcy, her face twisting into a scowl.
“I hope you don’t think you’re sharing our room.”
“God, no.” Darcy laughs. “I’ve heard you snore. I’d choose death before subjecting myself to that. I managed to get myself a room.”
“I hope it’s in the basement,” Lily mumbles.
“Not unless they work things backward here?” Darcy smirks. “Because I’m pretty sure floor twenty is just below the penthouse? Which means it’s probably a better room than yours.”
Lily smiles sweetly at her. “Sleeping your way to the top again?”
“My father has diamond status at this hotel chain, actually. They found me a room, even though they were fully booked.” Darcy gives Lily a pointed look. “But if I were sleeping my way to the top, at least I’d own it.”
Lily narrows her eyes. “You know damn well I don’t—”
“Don’t what?” Darcy taunts. “Swallow? Because those photos I saw in junior year suggested otherwise.”
“Why are you such a cow, Darcy?” Lily eyes flash as she glares at Darcy, her hands balled into tight fists.
“Me?” Darcy laughs. “Have you forgotten that time you took my phone and propositioned Mr. Barkley?” She shudders. “I couldn’t figure out why he followed me home, then insisted I let him inside.”
“Well, how was I supposed to know he’d do that?” Lily’s lips twist into a nasty grin. “I was just so sick of you always being on my back. Anyway, I bet you did let him in. Darcy would never pass up a free f—”
“You were the one who was constantly on mine.” Darcy cuts in. She laughs erratically, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Whatever.” Lily turns her icy stare to me. She raises her eyebrows. “Since you were so against the idea of coming here with me, you can stay with her.”
She flips her golden hair over her shoulder and flounces off, leaving Darcy and I gaping after her.
So much for not causing a scene.
Darcy turns to me, her eyes gleaming
“Do you think it was something I said?”Chapter TwoAdam“And I’m out.”
I toss my cards into the middle of the table, then stand up. The rest of the guys are too focused on the game to notice or care that I just folded pocket aces, but not Julian. He raises his eyebrows at me. I shrug in answer to his silent question, and then I stalk over to the window.
I stare out. It really is a beautiful city. No matter how many times I see that skyline, I’ll never get sick of it. I’m in Vegas often, mainly because it’s where my boss, Alberto, runs most of his business from. Which means I get to take in this view a lot. When I’m not here, I’m back at home, in Elliot Bay, taking in an equally stunning, yet completely different view of Seattle, from my waterfront apartment.
Alberto and I have a strange relationship. We laugh and joke with each other like we’re old friends, but deep down, he doesn’t trust me, and I don’t trust him. I’m not privy to all of his professional interests, and I know I’m kept out of the loop for most of the bad stuff—which is funny, because the shit I do know about is pretty fucking bad.
“Will you just relax?”
I turn around and smirk at Julian. Relax? God, I haven’t relaxed since I was ten. No, scrap that. I was just as stressed back then, but for different reasons.
Julian looks around and then lowers his voice, his dark brown eyes focusing on mine.
“Trust me, it’s all fine. Andrew knows to keep his mouth shut.”
“Fine, but what if he slips up?”
He frowns at me. “He won’t.”
“And you’re sure nobody else from school is coming?” I ask. “Your parents didn’t invite anyone that you don’t know about?”
He laughs. “No. As if Alberto would let anyone in, who isn’t on the guest list, anyway. Just calm the fuck down and relax. Nobody is going to find out.”
“How much did you tell Andrew?” I ask more out of curiosity than anything else.
