Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I do just that, and even though Daniel is made of solid muscle, he loses his balance and tumbles into the pool as a chuckle flows out of him.
He’s instantly on his feet, brushing his wet hair back from his forehead. A wide grin coasts over his lips. “You’ll pay for that, Calvetti.”
“Enjoy your drinks,” I call back as I walk away.
I make it to a hedge before I finally stop and glance over my shoulder to see Daniel still standing in the pool with a beautiful blonde in a tiny yellow bikini next to him. I immediately recognize her as one of the three women who have been poolside since I arrived. I watch as the server hands Daniel both pink drinks. Almost immediately, Daniel offers one of the martini glasses to the blonde.
Something stirs inside me, but I push it aside with whispered words to myself. “You don’t care who he has a drink with. He’s not the man for you. He’ll never be.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Daniel
The last thing I wanted to do today was have a drink with a woman who wasn’t Gina Calvetti, but that’s exactly how my afternoon started.
It ended with a second drink in one of the hotel’s restaurants after I changed back into business attire because the woman in the yellow bikini was at the resort with her sisters and very wealthy grandfather.
Two hours spent charming Everest Truscott, and I’m set for a meeting with the man on Monday morning in our office in New York since he calls that city home. I’ll work out the finer details of a contract with him while I score a little extra time with Dominick and his family, including Gina.
Life doesn’t get much better than this.
I glance around the casino, hoping that inspiration strikes in the form of a promising poker table.
I’m a wizard when it comes to Texas Hold’em.
I learned much of what I know from Dominick’s cousin, Rocco Jones, and the rest from my dad.
We’d sit across from each other at his bar, playing cards with whoever wandered in and was willing.
Money was never exchanged, and drinks weren’t part of the pot. Instead, we played for peanuts; literal salted peanuts in the shells.
I not only honed my poker skills, but I spent time with my dad, watching him in his element. He was the best bartender I ever knew. The guy who bought the bar after his death rebranded it as Tin Anchor, but he’s kept the spirit of my dad’s vision intact. I stop there whenever I need to take a trip down nostalgia lane. Gage Burke, the new owner, almost always offers me free alcohol in exchange for a story or two about my dad.
I would have held onto the bar myself, but the memories were like quicksand for years. I’d get pulled into their depth whenever I stepped foot in the place, so handing it over to someone else was the right move.
I have few regrets, and letting go of Lawtons isn’t one.
I look to my left to spot one of those few regrets. She’s dressed in a red dress tonight made from some sort of shimmery material. On her feet are heels that match, and when she turns slightly, I catch sight of her bare back.
Gina is striking from every angle.
I catch her eye briefly, and I’m greeted with a shake of her head.
She may think I tracked her movements via social media, but I haven’t checked any of her profiles since I sat down with Everest.
Once I wrapped that up, I got a text from Dominick telling me that our group dinner reservation was canceled, and I was on my own to find a meal since he was planning a romantic evening with his fiancée.
I opted for room service. It wasn’t bad, and the bonus was that it gave me time to check in with a few clients who had reached out to me today.
I take a tentative step toward Gina, half expecting her to run in the opposite direction, but her feet stay firmly planted where she is.
I might consider that a positive sign if her younger sister wasn’t sitting at a slot machine next to her.
My gaze volleys between the two women. Bella is grinning broadly as she glances up at her sister. Her smile is welcoming, and you know instantly that if you give her the chance, she’ll become a good friend.
Gina is different. When she smiles, the world stops around her for a second, or maybe it fades into the background. Either way, I’ve never met anyone with as much effortless grace as she possesses.
She’s not as open as Bella or most of the other Calvettis. Gina’s been burned by friends and foes alike and by men. I’ve heard enough stories from her brother to know that.
“Daniel!” Bella darts to her feet with open arms. “I won!”