Page 12 of Love Beyond the Illusion
Bailey: You’re still in Vegas?
Avery: Shut up! Why are we just now hearing about this?
Lina: Piper! Why didn’t you tell us?
Me: I will tell you ladies all about him later.
Before I have a chance to get distracted from more of their responses, I shove my phone back into my cross bag. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I whisper yell into Jack’s ear, fighting the urge to bring my lips to his earlobe.
He shoots me a mischievous grin. “Is that an invitation?”
My lashes flutter. “Funny.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
“I’ll be right back.” I toss over my shoulder, heading off the casino floor.
I palm the double doors right as my phone vibrates once again. I might as well give my friends the scoop, or they won’t leave me alone for the rest of the night. With slightly wobbly legs, I sit on the pink couch next to a full-length mirror in the ladies’ room.
“Spill it.” I hear Bailey’s voice on the other end. “And you’re three-wayed in with Avery and Lina too.”
I giggle. “Hello, my lovely friends.”
“You missed your flight home?” Lina asks in a lively tone.
Avery laughs. “That must have been some good conversation.”
I rub my lips together, thinking about Jack. “Oh, it was! And a pair of the most perfect electric blue eyes to stare into.” My words come out with a subtle drawl, but I still smile into the mirror with satisfaction for keeping myself together.
Lina laughs. “How drunk are you?”
“Yeah, you sound plastered!” Avery adds.
“A lot. I’m a lot drunk. But I’m still standing, and you three know I’ve been worse off than this before.” My voice comes out rushed and breathy.
“Oh my god. I love you so much!” Bailey exclaims. “Jack is safe, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“That’s good.” Avery comments with a sigh of relief.
“Stop it, ladies,” Lina scolds them both. “Like you don’t know Piper? She’s a goddess at handling stuff like this. She’s good. Let her have fun.” She’s not wrong.
“I have not a care in the world.”
“Of course you don’t,” Avery says playfully.
We all share a laugh.
“Enjoy, babe. Be safe and update us tomorrow,” Lina says before I end the call.
After using the bathroom, with wild butterflies in my stomach, I realize I’m in store for the best hookup of my life. My reflection is a little blurry, but I can’t help winking at myself in the mirror. Jack is a catch. He’s completely out of my league, and that’s why I’m going to enjoy every single minute of our drunk Vegas fun.
By the time I’m back at the craps table, it’s Jack’s turn. He quickly glances down at me. “I missed you.”
I gaze up at him through my lashes. From this angle, his eyes sparkle, and his lips look more plump than usual. “I missedyou.”
He holds out his hand in front of me with black and white dice in the center of his palm. “Will you blow on my dice?”So cliché, but I fucking eat it up.
“I’d love to,” I tell him, puckering my lips together and lightly blowing into his hand.
