Page 37 of The Little Black Book

And our conversation last night was quite revealing.

She’s only twenty-two, so we don’t have a lot in common. She likes to party, and even admits to enjoying a dose ofmollyevery once in a while. I’m not judging her for her choices, but that’s not something I’d ever be into.

She also watches a shit-ton of reality television about rich families and socialite housewives. Again, no judgement, but I don’t see the draw.

I didn’t cancel our date, but I’m pretty sure it’s not going to lead to a second one. I hate to waste Zoey’s time, as well as my own, but I made a commitment, and I plan to hold to it. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I snap out of my thoughts as a dealer calls out. I head over to watch him change a few hundred dollars for chips, then nod before resuming my station at my podium. A flash of blonde catches my eye, and I look over to see Zoey, Ava, and Sophie heading for the horseshoe bar. I give them a wave, which they each return, but Zoey quickly breaks eye contact before sliding onto a stool at the bar.

Huh. What is that all about?

I’ll go talk to them when I go on break. Even via text, I knew Zoey sounded off on Sunday, and this seems to prove it. It’s not like her to be standoffish with me. It makes me wonder if that accidental boob-touch on Saturday bothered her more than she let on. Does she think I did it on purpose?

I shake my head. I don’t think that’s it. She seemed fine and even joked about it afterward. Something else is bothering her. I just need to find out what it is.

The women have their heads together, and every few seconds, one of them looks toward my area. But they aren’t looking atme. I glance around, trying to find the object of their attention, but the tables are crowded due to the convention, and I can’t tell who they’re looking at.

When I look back at them, Sophie breaks away and heads straight for the craps table. She smiles and shakes hands with a man, and I narrow my eyes as I try to figure out who he is, but I can’t tell from the back. Sophie lifts an arm and points toward her friends, and the man turns.

Branson Childs. One of the casino’s biggest whales, and an even bigger douchebag. Jared insists we have to tolerate him because of the sheer amount of money he spends here, but I wouldn’t touch that man with a ten-foot pole for fear of catching something. If you look up man-whore in the dictionary, you’d see a picture of Branson Childs.

He nods and collects his chips from the table before following Sophie over to the bar. Fuck. What is happening?

If she’s trying to hook him up with Ava, I’m going to have to warn her off without letting him know. Jared would kill me if I pissed off his richest whale. Maybe I could text Zoey and let her know…

The thought trails off as I watch Sophie introduce Branson to Ava and Zoey. My eyes narrow into slits when he slides onto the stool beside Zoey, angling his body toward her and leaning in like he’s trying to dominate her small frame.

Mother. Fucking. Son of a bitch.

No. Absolutely not.

No way is Zoey hooking up with that asshole. Not if I have anything to say about it.

I’m already stalking forward when I catch myself and grind to a halt.Shit.It’s really none of my fucking business. I can’t dictate who Zoey talks to or even who she hooks up with. And I certainly can’t charge over there and jerk his ass away from her, no matter how badly I feel the urge.

Plus, I have Jared and his business to consider.

“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath and head back to my podium.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I know for a fact that Branson has no filter. I’ve heard him blatantly ask women if they want a one-time fuck. And plenty of them take him up on the offer. If he stays true to form, he’ll do the same with Zoey. She can decide for herself if she wants it.

I completely ignore my tables as I watch them together. Zoey laughs at something he says, and he smiles as he lays a hand on her thigh. My vision goes red, my breaths coming in harsh pants as my hands curl into tight fists.

Zoey turns on her stool to face the bar, effectively removing his hand from her person, but she continues to smile at him as he speaks to her. I wish I could hear what he’s saying. If he insults her with some tawdry proposition, I’m going to knock his lights out, whale or not.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. My protective instinct is working on overdrive and bordering on something very close to jealousy. Which is ridiculous. I have no reason to be jealous.

Zoey and I are just friends.

How many times do I have to repeat the words before they sink in? And why is it so fucking hard to remember?

I open my eyes and refocus on them just in time to see the dick give Zoey a key card. My teeth grind together so hard, I’m sure the enamel is scraping off. I can feel my pulse pounding in my forehead, and it takes every ounce of willpower I possess to remain rooted to the spot.

Zoey smiles at that asshole as he lifts her hand to place a kiss on her knuckles. Then he leans in to whisper something before sliding off his stool and walking away. The three women immediately put their heads together before Ava throws hers back and laughs. Zoey’s face is glowing, and I feel like I might vomit.

I take a few moments to try to calm myself, then tell the other pit boss I’m taking my break a bit early. He nods, and I weave my way through the gaming tables and head for the bar.

“Hello, ladies,” I say, hoping my voice sounds charming and unbothered.

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