Page 48 of What Happens In Vegas
Chapter 18
Bonni got a kick out of seeing Celia with her face planted against the window of the helicopter. She was like a child, full of enthusiasm and soaking up every little bit of the experience.
‘Oh my God, I’d heard seeing the Grand Canyon from the air was the best way.’ Celia’s voice was muffled, since she was still facing the window.
‘This is simply breathtaking.’ Fredi was also craningher neck to take everything in, and was busy snapping pictures with her phone. Bonni knew that, at the next quiet moment, Fredi would be sketching up a storm. She had such a creative mind, anything could be inspiration.
Ava was sitting in the front beside the pilot and had a bird’s-eye view of their flight path. Ava wasn’t the best with heights, but she had flatly refused to be left behind. Herfingers twisted on her seatbelt as the pilot distracted her with historical facts. Bonni had chosen the middle back seat between Celia and Fredi so they could have the better window views.
Shealready had so many fantastic memories with her besties, and now, here she was creating more. They’d flown over the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and were now zipping along toward the Canyon. Damn if it hadn’tchoked her up a little bit.
‘I’m glad we booked this tour. Great idea, Celia,’ Bonni said into the microphone of the headset she wore. Her friends, and the pilot, all wore a matching set.
Celia turned to hug Bonni, making her even more emotional, so that tears threatened. ‘Anything for my girls. We had some pretty damn fine scenery last night at theThunder Down Undershow, but these vistasare gorgeous. I just have to bring the kids here one day. I can’t wait to show them pictures when I get back.’
‘You totally should. California’s practically in walking distance.’ Bonni tried to keep an upbeat tone to her voice, but the reminder of the rapidly approaching end of their trip saddened her.
Celia was busy taking pictures out of the window and then Instagramming them. ‘Hey, Bon-Bon,Fredi, smile!’ Celia held her phone up and they all leaned in to each other as best they could so she could snap a selfie. ‘Ava, turn around.’
Ava gripped her seatbelt tighter. ‘I’m good, thanks.’ In an obvious attempt to distract Celia, Ava asked, ‘Bonni, what is Quinn doing today?’
‘He’s still in the tournament. He texted me a selfie at the last break, but I haven’t gotten anything in a while,so he must be playing.’ Bonni’s phone was wedged into her back pocket, but she knew she would feel it vibrate if Quinn texted or called.
Celia focused on her phone, tagging and sending her pictures. ‘Eh, it’s a good thing he’s just a fling. It would never work out with you guys long-term.’
Bonnifelt a little shocked and let down. ‘Why . . . why would you say that, Celia?’
Still preoccupiedwith her phone, Celia said, ‘Well, c’mon, he’s this high-society dude who flits from game to game, and you have a job. In Canada. And there’s your dad and everything. What are you going to do, just trust that he’s not cheating on you while he’s off playing in exotic locations and sit around waiting for him to visit you? You’re too smart for that. So take him for a ride then put him back in the stable.That’s what I do now.’
Wind blew through the small window on the door Celia sat beside, lifting her long curls off her neck and shoulders. Bonni saw a bruise on her neck and her eyes opened wide before she narrowed them to scrutinize the mark. Celia had a hickey! A quick glance at Fredi and Ava showed they hadn’t noticed. Bonni sat back in the seat and wondered where she’d got the love bite from.Then she drew in a soft breath.Landon!Bonni had noticed theirconnectionlast night, and damn!Celiahad had sex with Landon. Or at least made out with him. But why hadn’t the other two picked up on it? Best keep this to herself for now.
‘Come on,’ Ava interrupted. ‘A long-distance relationship could work. You just have to try harder.’ Trust Ava to try to put a positive spin on things.
‘Aves,why would Bonni possibly waste herself on – ow! Fredi, why did you hit me?’ It was impossible for Bonni to miss Fredi smacking Celia on the arm, but she just stared into space. Celia’s words only fed into Bonni’s concerns. It upset her, and she knew she probably wasn’t hiding it very well.
There was a rustling sound, and then Bonni felt Celia take her hand. She looked at her friend, her eyesstinging with unshed tears.
‘Oh,Bonni, I’m sorry. Quinn’s a good guy, and he’s certainly not acting like a dude who’s only out for a good time. Maybe Ava’s right. Maybe you guys can make things work long distance. Maybe he’ll even want to settle down soon. He’s not getting any younger, after all.’ As reassurances went, Celia failed miserably and Bonni could tell her friend didn’t believe a wordof it, but she felt lucky to have a bestie who’d support her even when she thought Bonni was being an idiot.
‘Okay, you are all getting way ahead of yourselves. Enough.’ She wasn’t ready to confess to her friends that she was falling for Quinn. And hard. How could she be falling in love with a man she had just met?
But she knew she was.
The pilot cut in, halting any further conversation. ‘We’lltake one low pass below the canyon rim and then we land. From there, you can access the Skywalk or get some food.’
‘I’m going on that Skywalk,’ Celia announced. ‘Who else?’
‘I’m in,’ Bonni answered. She saw Ava shaking her head. ‘You have to, Ava! You can’t come all this way and chicken out.’
‘We’ll drag you on it if we have to. It’ll be the best photo op. I want one of all of us so I can blowit up and put it in my studio,’ Fredi told them.
‘That would be awesome,’ Celia said.
‘I’ll just close my eyes then.’ Ava didn’t sound confident at all, and Bonni laughed.
‘You’ll be fine. Just think, if it collapses, we’ll all go together.’
‘That’s not funny, Bonni!’
Bonni looked out the window and a million thoughts ran through her head. Why was it that when she was away from Quinn herdoubts crept back in? Nerves made her feel sick, and the last thing she wanted was to be feeling like that on this trip. Maybe she could meet Quinn later than seven. It would giveher time to think some more. As much as it pained her to do it, as the helicopter came in for the landing Bonni texted him the change of plans. Stuffing her phone in her purse, she resolved to have a great day with herfriends before potentially saying goodbye to Quinn that night.
