Page 89 of Scandalous

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“So.” I push my empty gelato cup to the side. “What’s your issue with Vegas?”

Drake rolls his coffee cup between his hands as he watches people enjoy the nature around us.

“I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “With every location we’ve opened, I feel like it was easy to find a place. It was like the perfect place was available right when we were on the market.”

“I can see that.” I nod. “Shit, we found Australia and Puerto Rico in a day.”

“London in two.” He tips his cup toward me. “This time though, it’s not the same.”

“Is it because you hate Vegas?” I ask the question, knowing it’s true.

Every time we get ready to go to Vegas, he becomes tense and he doesn’t relax until we leave. Honestly I can’t blame him with the kind of relationship he has with his family.

“I don’t know.” He looks down thoughtfully. “I know this will sound crazy, but I hate that fucking town and everyone in it. For fuck’s sake, every time I think about opening a place there, I feel like I’m going to come out of my skin. The idea of spending more time there…” He shivers.

“Then let’s move the US location.” I shrug, mind already racing with possibilities of where we can move the party to.

He sets down his cup and rests his forearms on the table. “I already said that. Ezra makes a good point. The party is already there and successful. People look forward to it. Moving it wouldn’t be smart.”

“Well, maybe you just need to see the locations in person. We aren’t set to go to Vegas for the party for four months yet. Let’s figure it out then.”

“Maybe…” He rubs his jaw.

“Do you and Liam have any plans tonight?”

Drake shoots me a grateful look for changing the subject.

“Not that I know of. Do you know something I don’t?” He raises a brow.

Leaning back, I raise my hands, shaking my head. “Hey, I know nothing. I was just trying to think of something else to talk about.”

“Uh-huh.” He smirks. “I appreciate you guys being more present this year, but you know I’d rather spend this day alone in my room.”

“Can’t blame us for trying. We hate seeing you depressed, man.”

“I know. This day holds no great memories though.”

I lean forward, patting his hand. “Maybe it’s about time we start making new ones then.”

A nearby street performer starts playing “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, making us look her way.

“She’s captivated everyone,” Drake murmurs.

I look around the park and see that he’s right. People have stopped to watch her play.

“Is it wrong that I can’t help but be a little bit jealous of anyone who can play music?” he asks.

“Nah, I feel the same way.” I shake my head, smiling. “Remember when you tried to learn how to play the guitar so that you and Liam could play together?”

Drake cringes. “Yeah, that didn’t last long.”

I laugh. “Pretty sure Ezra broke it into a bunch of tiny pieces.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t sell the thing with how much I had spent on it.” He smirks with a twinkle in his eye. “I wonder if Aurora plays an instrument.”

“God, could you imagine his reaction if she did?” I chuckle.

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