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“Thanks for making me feel welcome,” he said with a soft smile.
“Tell me about this penthouse.” I popped a gummy bear into my mouth.
“I think it’s best left to surprise,” he said, laughing.
“That could go either way.”
“As in?” he questioned.
“As in a surprise can be a good or bad thing,” I explained.
“Do you actually think it would be bad?” he joked.
“No.”
“I should probably warn you I have more than one surprise up my sleeve,” he said in that thick, rich voice that sent shivers racing up and down my spine.
“I think I like surprises,” I said, smiling.
“I know I’ve been surprised more than a few times recently,” he said. “It’s been working for me.”
I wondered if I was one of those surprises. I hoped I was. I wanted to be. So far, things were good between us. It was one surprise after another. It was all leading to something. I just hoped it was something good.
Something that wouldn’t leave me feeling as lost and crushed as the last time we had tangled.
34
JON
The plane touched down, and for the first time in a long time, I felt excitement about visiting Vegas. I had always looked forward to it, but this was different. There was hope and promise, not just alcohol and women. I was confident this visit was going to be different than any other time I visited the city.
Macy and I stood off to the side and waited for the rest of the group to make their way into the terminal. “Do I need to do a head count?” I teased. “Should we assign travel buddies?”
Everyone laughed.
“We’ve got a shuttle waiting,” I announced. “We’ll make our way to baggage claim and go from there.”
Macy and I hung back, walking behind the group. “Will you be my travel buddy?” she teased.
“Absolutely.”
The drive to the building my penthouse was located in was full of excited chatter and laughter. Everyone was talking about what they wanted to see and do. I knew this was the first visit to Vegas for a couple of them. I was happy to be able to do something that would have a major impact on their lives.
The shuttle pulled to a stop in front of the new building off the Strip. Everyone piled out. A doorman helped get our luggage loaded on a baggage cart before snapping his fingers and getting us more help. The concierge of the building quickly greeted us.
“Good morning, Mr. Handcock,” he said. “Everything is all ready for you. If you or your guests need anything, please just let me know.”
“I appreciate that, Greg,” I said and shook his hand. “And thank you for taking care of everything on such short notice.”
“It was my pleasure.”
I led the group to the elevator. The elevator operator looked at me, then the group. I understood what he wasn’t saying. “Guys, we’re going to have to do this in two trips.”
Thankfully, I wasn’t forced to choose. Several chose to stay back and wait for the elevator to come back. Macy stepped into the elevator with me. The moment the doors slid open into the foyer, I heard gasps from the people around me.
“We’ll wait for the next group to come up before I give you all the tour and go over a few details,” I announced. “Go ahead and go inside. I’ll wait.”
I felt the shift in demeanor. The place was a little overwhelming. I had never bothered to redecorate the place when I bought it. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, but it was very Vegas and I figured I didn’t spend enough time at the penthouse to spend a bunch of money changing it. It was a whole vibe.
