Page 10 of What Happens In Vegas
‘We would never let you have a drunken elopement, like in a romance novel,’ Ava stated, shaking her head.
Fredi regarded Ava for a beat before continuing, ‘But, come on, Bonni, you don’t knowwhat tomorrow will bring.’ Bonni was a little shocked by Fredi’s uncharacteristic philosophical musing.
‘Matrimonial bliss aside,’ Celia said with a nod, eyeing Bonni up and down. ‘You’re definitely gonna get some tonight. Va-va-vroom!’
Bonni furrowed her brows. ‘Maybe I’d better change then. I want to have a good time with you guys, not spend the whole night fighting off drunken married touristslooking for a vacation fling.’
Ava jumped up and put her arm around her. ‘Hey, remember what you said in the store. Turn the cop brain off and stop being so cynical, dammit! You look fantastic. We all do.’
Celia stood up and did a little pirouette in the middle of the living room. ‘I do look pretty damn hot. Maybe I’ll take a page from Bon-Bon’s book and cut loose too, look for a Mr Right Now.’
‘Oh Lord, this is the Kappa Sigma Bachelor Auction all over again.’ Fredi rolled her eyes.
‘It wasnotmy fault the twins didn’t know how to share,’ Celia defended.
Fredi looked at her watch. ‘What time is the limo coming? ’Cause speaking of sharing, we should go share our sexiness with the world.’
‘Notbefore we drink some of that champagne,’ Bonni said. ‘It’ll only go flat before we get backand we still have a few minutes. Bottoms up, ladies.’
She poured them each a glass and they clinked them together.
Fredi shivered. ‘I’ve never been able to get used to champagne. But if we’re starting off like this, who’s got the bail money?’
Everyone looked at Bonni.
She nodded her head. ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve got my badge. Don’t worry.’ She pulled it from her clutch and held it up beforetucking it back inside. ‘But no gun. I left that locked up at home.’
Celia craned her neck and commented, ‘I don’t see any cuffs in there.’
Bonni gave her a withering look while Ava and Fredi let out a whoop.
After a few more drinks the girls rode the elevator down and climbed into the waiting limo. They were flying high by the time they arrived at the club. The bouncers checked their namesagainst their lists before letting them through the velvet ropes.
‘Wow, VIP service or what?’ Ava gushed.
‘Oh my God, this place is fantastic,’ Celia said, leading the way, her hips swaying to the thumping beat. ‘We’re gonna have some fuuunn.’
‘The concierge assured me this is the It place right now. We might even see a celebrity or two. There should be a table reserved for us in the VIP section,with bottle service.’
Ava was gawking at everything. Bonni took her hand and led her through the crowd. ‘Don’t trip,’ she instructed.
‘Stunning,’ Ava said. ‘The dance floor is so packed!’
Bonni looked around. She felt a little exposed, in this dress, among hordes of people, and without her gun. Of course, if she had it, there’d be nowhere to put it. Bonni rolled her shoulders.
Go with theflow.
‘Ladies,your table.’ The hostess gestured to a raised seating area. They looked at each other and giggled.
‘You first, Bonni. Since this is your winning night.’ Fredi stood aside.
Bonni climbed the clear steps, lit with internal mini-lights, to a beautiful spot set up like a private living room with comfortable couches, throw pillows and low tables. Three of the walls were strung witha zillion little beads that shimmered and shifted in the air, reflecting prisms of light. It was totally magical. Like a fairyland. The girls settled in after Fredi had slipped the hostess a tip. The round center table had a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket.
Bonni said, ‘This must be the night of champagne, but I didn’t order ahead.’
Ava leaned forward and plucked an envelope from underneaththe bucket. ‘It’s addressed to you, Bonni.’ She handed it to her friend.
Celia clapped her hands. ‘You have a secret admirer already!’
