Page 13
“She’s already regretting it. And he spent their honeymoon money on blackjack.”
Beau nods seriously. “I believe it.”
“What about you?”
He studies them. “Their names are Gary and Susan.”
I immediately start laughing. “Gary?”
“Absolutely.”
“Nobody under sixty is named Gary.”
“Exactly.”
For the next twenty minutes, we make up increasingly ridiculous stories about random people walking by.
A magician, a bachelorette party, and a guy dressed like Elvis. By the time it’s our turn to get into the bar, I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts.
We’re having such a good time that I barely realize the time passes.
Beau is standing and extending his hand. “Time to ride your bull, Jolene.”
“Are you going to ride?” I ask as I slide my hand into his.
“Probably not,” he grins. “Sounds like you’re better at it than me, anyway. Although I’m not sure how many bulls you ride as an event planner.”
I laugh. “Oh, you’d be surprised.”
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” he challenges.
And damn, that grin does things to me. This man is a walking dream.
I climb on the bull and stay on for half the time and end up falling and laughing.
Beau helps me up and says, “Are you good?”
“Yeah, I’m good. That was fun! Maybe I should be a professional bull rider,” I tease.
He laughs and shakes his head. “Nothing wrong with being an event planner, Jolene.”
Five minutes later, we’re dancing with complete strangers under flashing lights.
Laughing, spinning, and holding each other. “I thought you said you didn’t dance?”
He grins. “Only for you, Jolene. This one night in Vegas. It must be part of the Vegas experience or something.”
A slower song comes on, and I lay my head on his chest. He smells so good. Like sandalwood and pine.
Time passes without me noticing. One adventure has melted into another.
We each take shots of tequila and dance some more. Liquid courage is making us even looser and more fun.
We make our way back out onto the Strip and pass a souvenir shop where I buy a tiny stuffed cactus that says Viva Las Vegas on it.
We stop at a penny slot machine, each spending ten dollars, and celebrate a twelve-dollar win like we’ve hit the jackpot.
Next, we stop at a wedding chapel where we take photos holding signs because we both decide it will be hilarious to prank our friends and family.