She laughs, "Not duh.We are all friends."

"That's dope."

"Yeah.We're all in business together."

"That's cool as fuck!"I smirk as I pull on my boots.

"Why didn't you stay to see if the performance was Surreal or J-Lo?"

"I wasn't interested.I was stalking the club looking for Seary."

She tilts her head."Well, the reason you couldn't find me is …."She pauses and waits until I'm looking her in the eye."I'm Surreal."

I sit up, stunned."No … shit?"

"No shit!"She giggles.

I shake my head, "Wait a minute.Her hair is black."

"Hair paint."

"Well, I'll be damned!"I stare at her, then reach for her hand.She slips hers in, and I draw her between my legs, then down on top of me as I lay on the bed.She lays her head on my chest, and I cradle her, thinking.That's why she has a security detail, why she doesn't do VIP rooms anymore, why she was so expensive to book, and why it took so long for a date.She works all the damn time.

I squeeze her ass."So… you're not just a headliner?You're a major league star."

"High-value entertainer is the correct term, but yeah, I'm sort of a celebrity."

"You're isolated, aren't you?"

"Yes, it's not bad.It's not the life of a showgirl, for sure, but it's a pretty normal life for a Vegas celebrity.Honestly, I love my life.I have a tight group of friends that are more like family, and that's all anyone needs."

"Hmm."I rub her back as wave after wave of emotions course through me with the realization that Siri is perfect for me.More perfect than I could have dreamed of and more than I deserve.I cannot lose her.I can't!

CHAPTERTHREE

* * *

Siri

* * *

"Same Love" blasts us from his phone, and Aurei stiffens under me.

It's Ann.I pick my head up to look at him, and he winks."Time to go."

Pushing off him, I stand up then reach out.He takes my hand, and I lean back, tugging, pulling him up."Does she know I'm coming?"

"No.I'm looking forward to the look on her face."

His phone rings again, and he smirks."She'll keep calling till she knows I'm on my way."He answers it and points to the bathroom.I nod and go in.Before I push the door closed, I listen to him talking to her.

"I'm running a little behind.I'll be there in an hour.Ok.Yeah.No.Chill, would ya?He's not going anywhere.Hey, I'm bringing you a surprise.I'm not telling.It's a surprise!"

When I come out, he hands me his phone and goes in but doesn't close the door, so I lean on the door frame and watch him pick up his toothbrush."What's happening at the farm that we need boots?"

He squeezes toothpaste on it and runs it under the water."Ann has a new horse, and I told her I would ride with her."He starts to brush when his phone goes off again.

I laugh."She's persistent!"