Page 5 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

Suddenly he turns away and stands to address our merged group. There’s a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He pulls several small vials from the pocket of his board shorts.

Oh no.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announces, his voice cutting through the buzz. “It’s time to elevate this party.”

Annnnd there it is. Drugs. Because of course.

My internal alarm bells aren’t just clanging now, they’re screaming bloody murder.

When I said let loose and boundaries are optional, I didn’t mean likethis...

“What is that?” I ask, trying to sound casually curious, not horrified.

Leo winks, holding up a vial so the light catches the clear liquid inside. “Just a little party enhancer. Takes the edge off. Makes everything…more.” He gestures expansively.

“That’s not… GHB, is it?” Jess whispers, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“The gentleman’s version,” Leo confirms smoothly. “Pharmaceutical grade. No sketchy shit.”

Oh, well, pharmaceutical grade! Totally different.

Taking mystery drugs from a near-stranger, even a ridiculously charming one, is chapter one in the handbook of ‘How to End Up in a Vegas Horror Story.’

Doesn’t anyone remember The Hangover anymore??

“Uh huh.” I cross my arms, summoning my best skeptical PR face. The one I use when a client suggests releasing a statement blaming Mercury’s retrograde for their stock price plummeting. “And GHB is never sketchy, right?”

“What’s GHB?” Amara asks innocently.

“Bad news,” I reply firmly. “Sorry. We’re not those kinds of girls.”

That’s when Rossi’s voice cuts in, directed at Tatiana but somehow looping me into the challenge.

“Iknewit,” he says, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “She’s too professional even for Vegas.”

Tatiana bristles instantly. “What exactly are you saying?”

Rossi shrugs, infuriatingly nonchalant. “Just that some people come to Vegas but never really leave the office. Mental handcuffs.” He smiles that killer smile. “Nothing wrong with that. Christopher values your… restraint.”

“You don’t know the first thing about me!” Tatiana snaps back.

“I know you alphabetize Christopher’s protein bars,” Rossi counters easily.

Ouch. Low blow, Rossi.

Well, I guess we’ll be going then.

Leo waves the vials between them. “Children, children. Less arguing, morepartying.”

His eyes find mine again. There’s a challenge there, too. He thinks I’m uptight, maybe? Predictable? The responsible one?

Maybe I am.

The thought stings more than it should. It taps right into that private fear of being boring.

Tatiana defiantly locks eyes with Rossi.

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