He smiled as she pulled back. “Thanks. It’s been pretty awesome so far.”
She mirrored his smile before she leaned forward to get the bartender’s attention. Not surprisingly, he was there in two seconds flat, all too eager to assist her.
Tommy couldn’t blame him. Rebecca looked stunning tonight, but it was more than just her dress. Her hair was tousled and her eyes were sparkling and her skin radiated with a soft, dewy glow…the kind of glow that resulted from only one thing.
Out of nowhere, Tommy felt a sharp, burning stab of jealousy–a jealousy he hadn’t felt in a very long time. It intensified a hundredfold when Alec stepped up behind her and slid his hands around her hips.
“Have you ever tried beef tartare?”
Liz’s question yanked him right back to his surroundings. Tommy was thankful for the diversion as he turned his head and draped his arm across the back of her chair.
“I haven’t,” he answered.
Liz turned her gaze back to the menu. “I think I’m going to order it for a starter.”
Tommy fell silent as he studied her profile. Liz also looked sensational tonight; she’d traded her usual conservative attire for stiletto heels and a Vegas-worthy little black dress. The same glow lit her face, too–Tommy loved that look on her–but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t ignore the fact that Rebecca was standing only inches away from him.
She laughed at something the bartender said, once again pulling his gaze in her direction. Then she lifted her hand to push her hair behind her ear, giving Tommy a perfect view of the diamond on her fourth finger. She didn’t wear it often, but whenever she did, it provided a painful reminder of all that Alec was able to give her.
Tommy could save for a hundred years and he’d never be able to purchase a ring like that.
What the hell is the matter with you? he scolded himself, finally prying his eyes off of her. Here he was, sitting beside his fiancée…yet he couldn’t stop looking at Rebecca. He lifted his drink to his lips and drained it in one gulp, trying to redirect his mind.
This had never happened to him before. He never thought about Rebecca when he was with Liz. He could always keep his feelings in check. He could always compartmentalize his thoughts.
So why couldn’t he do it tonight?
Chapter 15
Alec lifted his arms and bowed his head, diving into the deep end of the swimming pool. The water felt refreshingly cool against his skin, providing the perfect contrast to the heat of the desert sun.
Although he enjoyed swimming, he avoided it for the same reason that Rebecca typically avoided wearing skirts. She was far more self-conscious about her burn scars than she needed to be–Alec could barely see them anymore–but the surgical scar on his chest was another story. It was an eyesore; the kind of scar that people couldn’t help but stare at. He’d already received a few glances when he pulled his shirt over his head, but right now he was on vacation in Vegas and he didn’t care if anyone was staring at him.
He took several slow, leisurely laps of the pool, enjoying the needed stretch in his shoulders, before he hopped onto the deck and returned to his chair. Jeff was sprawled on the neighboring chair, also enjoying the warmth of the midday sun.
“Where’d Tommy and Jake run off to?” Alec asked.
Jeff shrugged. “I heard something about the lunch buffet.”
He spread his towel across the chair and stretched out himself, trying to remember the last time he’d felt so refreshed. They hadn’t even been here for twenty-four hours yet and already Alec felt like his old self.
Dinner last night was delicious; then he and the guys played a few hands of poker while the girls sipped cocktails and gossiped in one of the bars. Only after they’d returned to the room and Rebecca had fallen asleep beside him did he finally dwell on what she’d said earlier.
Maybe if we sell the ranch we should move here.
It wasn’t so much the thought of moving to Las Vegas that struck him as the way she said it. Normally when the topic of selling the ranch came up, there was a wistful tone in her voice, like she was only saying it to be supportive.
But this time was different; this time she said it like she’d also taken hold of the idea. Maybe she’d finally had enough time to think it through, or maybe–like Alec–she was just eager to go somewhere where they could give their relationship the time and attention it deserved.
His thoughts were interrupted when a soft pair of lips landed on his cheek. He opened his eyes as Rebecca sat beside him. “What are you doing down here?” he asked.
It was Tommy’s idea to surprise the girls with a day at the spa–massages, facials, pedicures, and manicures–so this morning they’d done just that.
“I had a few minutes before my next treatment,” she explained, curling her fingers around his. “I just wanted to say thank you. Today has been such a treat.”
“You’re very welcome.”
She grinned and gave him a quick kiss before she scurried back towards the resort. Alec smiled as he watched her go; then he noticed that her brother was doing the same.
“I haven’t seen her this happy in a while,” Jeff mused.
Alec felt a twinge of conscience. “Well, that’s probably my fault.”
Jeff turned to look at him, but there was nothing accusatory in his gaze. “It’s been rough since you lost your dad, hasn’t it?”
He nodded, figuring there was no point in denying the obvious. “I know she’s not happy that I’m trying to sell the ranch, either,” he admitted. “Even though she’s a large part of why I’m doing it. I want to see her do something with her life. Something she chooses to do, not something she has to do. She’ll never get her chance if we stay there.”
“I get it, Alec. I understand. And after all these years, you’ve earned the right to make a few choices for yourself.”
Alec was grateful for his support. “I just wish she could see it that way.”
“She will. She just needs more time.” Jeff patted his shoulder. “You guys will be alright. Even the best marriages have their rough patches. Alli and I had one ourselves not too long ago.”
“Yeah?”
“It was all me, of course. I was being stupid, staying out late and acting the same way I did when I was single. She got tired of it. And I can’t say that I blamed her.”
“So what happened?”
Jeff grinned. “I came home from work one day and she told me she was pregnant. And it was a game changer. It wasn’t just about me anymore, you know? It wasn’t even about us, not like it was before. All of a sudden there was going to be this new life that I was responsible for, and I could hardly do that if I couldn’t even be responsible for myself.”
Before Alec could respond, Tommy and Jake returned. “How was lunch?” Jeff asked.
Jake gave a contented groan as he collapsed in the nearest chair. “I may not eat for a week.”
“You two should go,” Tommy added. “They’re only open for another half hour.”
Alec shrugged. “I can wait ‘til dinner.”
“Is that how you stay so thin?” Jeff teased. “I thought maybe Bec had stopped cooking for you.”
“Well, you certainly aren’t missing any meals,” Jake said, reaching out to slap Jeff’s belly. “I remember the days when you were a lean mean fighting machine.”
Jeff shot him a fierce glare. “I’ll remind you that you said that when you’ve been married for four years.”
“Remind me all you want, pal. It ain’t never gonna happen.”
“Getting married or getting fat?”
“Both,” Jake replied, tucking his arms behind his head. “Why settle for just one girl when you can have your pick?”
“It gets old, Jake,” Tommy put in. “Believe me, I never thought I’d get married, either.”
“Well, you’re not married yet. I’ve still got time to talk some sense into you. Speaking of which,” he said, leaning forward in his chair again, “I’ve got us a g
ame plan for tonight. The hostess just gave me a list of the best clubs on the Strip.”
“As long as they’re just clubs,” Tommy replied. “I promised Liz before we came here…no strippers.”
“Yeah,” Jeff agreed. “I’m pretty sure Alli would kill me, too.”
Jake sighed. “Where’s the trust? I don’t have any idea how I’ve earned this reputation.”
Jeff raised his brows. “Oh, Mr. Why-settle-for-just-one?”
“Or how about the fact that every time Liz and I see you in town, you’re with a different girl?” Tommy added.
Alec couldn’t resist taking a jab at Jake, either. “Or how about the fact that you manage to sleep with every single girl I hire?”
Tommy and Jeff both snickered, but Jake responded with perfect composure. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Alec, but…didn’t your wife start out as one of your employees?”
His friends laughed again, but Alec merely shook his head. “You know, Jake,” he said, smiling as he leaned back in his chair, “because I’m in such a great mood today, I’m going to let that one slide.”
*
After a day full of mimosas and five-star pampering, Rebecca, Allison, and Liz practically slithered back to their rooms. Their spa day had concluded with makeovers, too, so the only thing left to do was decide what to wear.
Rebecca smiled when she reached her suitcase and saw Alec’s handwritten note:
Hope you had a great day. Take the girls out tonight, show them a good time, and come home late! That’s an order.
“You’re so bossy,” she said into the empty room.
She sifted through her suitcase for a minute, finally selecting a glittery black top and a pair of fitted jeans. She dressed up the outfit with her favorite necklace and earrings before she slipped on her highest heels and headed to Allison’s room.
Her sister-in-law answered the door with precision timing. “Seriously?” she greeted. “It’s our big night out on the town, and the best you can do is jeans and a tank top?”
Rebecca grinned and spun around, revealing the barely-there back of her top. “Now that’s more like it,” Allison added, motioning for her to come inside. “I’m still trying to get everything set up.”
They didn’t want to go too overboard, but–with Tommy’s blessing–they did want to throw Liz a proper bachelorette party. Rebecca set her gift bag on the floor and placed a bottle of Chardonnay in the fridge before she helped Allison finish lighting the candles.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. “Are you ready?” Liz asked.
“Not quite,” Allison replied, opening the door wider. “Come on in.”
Liz stepped through the foyer and stopped in her tracks when she saw Rebecca, the candles, and the gift bags. “What’s all this?”
“It’s for you,” Rebecca said, standing to place a shiny tiara on Liz’s head. “Your bachelorette party has officially begun.”
Liz laughed when Allison appeared beside her and draped a white sash across her shoulder that read Bride To Be. “Are you really going to make me wear this?”
“Yep,” Allison said. “But don’t worry, we’re wearing ours, too.”
She produced two pink sashes that read Bridesmaids and handed one to Rebecca. “You didn’t have to do all of this,” Liz said.
“We wanted to,” Rebecca assured her, already reaching for her gift bag. “This one’s from me.”
Liz took a seat on the bed and reached into the bag, giving a quiet gasp when she saw the silky white robe. “Rebecca, it’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. There’s something else in there, too.”
Liz reached into the bag again and pulled out a gift card to the home goods store in Jackson. “I know Tommy’s cabin is a little sparse on decorations,” Rebecca added. “This’ll help you turn it into a home.”
“Thank you so much,” Liz said, reaching out to give her a hug. “That’s very thoughtful.”
There was a mischievous glimmer in Allison’s eye as she handed Liz her bag. “Well, my gift’s not nearly as practical, but it is a heck of a lot more fun. And you only get to open this if you promise not to wear it ‘til your wedding night.”
Liz gave a nervous laugh. “I promise.”
Seconds later her mouth dropped open when she pulled out a black lace merrywidow with matching garter belt and stockings. “Oh, wow. Alli, it’s gorgeous. I’ve never worn anything like this.”
“Tell Tommy he can thank me later,” Allison replied, reaching behind the bed for the final gift bags. “And these are from your cousin. She said she’s very sorry she couldn’t make it this weekend and she can’t wait to see you in May.”
Once Liz had opened her remaining gifts, Rebecca produced the bottle of Chardonnay from the fridge. “I have it on good authority that this is your favorite wine,” she announced, pulling three wine glasses from the overhead rack. “So here’s to you and Tommy.”
“Speaking of which,” Allison put in, “I’m invoking a rule for the evening. Two rules, actually.”
Rebecca didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified. “And those would be…?”
Allison cleared her throat and sent Liz a pointed look. “The bride must do, say, or drink whatever we tell her to, because we’re her friends and she trusts us implicitly.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh at Liz’s wide-eyed expression. “I do?”
“Of course you do,” Allison said, merrily clinking glasses with Liz, then Rebecca. “Rule number two…for the remainder of the night, there will be no mention of the names Tommy, Alec, or Jeff. If any of us slips up, the offender must immediately purchase a round of drinks.”
“I like it,” Rebecca declared.
Even Liz looked enthusiastic at this point. “Deal.”
Chapter 16
With the wine gone and the moon rising over the glittering lights of the Strip, the girls set out to begin their celebration.
The night air was surprisingly crisp, tickling Rebecca’s exposed back as they exited the Bellagio and strolled towards Caesar’s Palace. Appreciative whistles sounded from a passing group of guys when they noticed the tiara and the sashes.
“Where are you headed, ladies?” one of them asked.
“Can we party with you tonight?” another added.
By the third set of whistles and catcalls, Liz’s cheeks were blazing red. “I can’t believe we’re getting this type of attention.”
“Are you kidding?” Allison replied. “Look at us. We’re a walking trifecta.”
As if to prove the point, the girls barely paid for a thing the entire night. Bouncers waved them inside each club and told them to forget the entrance fee. Bartenders were all too eager too comp their drinks, while drunken patrons insisted on buying them shots. Rebecca was hardly used to this type of attention, either, but by the time they stumbled towards The Mirage she was having too much fun to worry about being self-conscious.
“Isn’t that the Venetian?” Liz asked.
Rebecca paused on the sidewalk to admire the opulent resort across the street. “It is. And they’ve got a couple great bars in there, too–”
“Nope,” Allison interjected, grabbing Rebecca’s hand and steering her forward. “The Venetian’s off-limits.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s how we’re avoiding the guys tonight. We’re staying on the west side of the Strip and they’re staying on the east.”
Rebecca raised a brow. “Who decided that?”
“I did,” Allison said. “I was talking to Tommy earlier–”
Her words were lost when Liz gave a triumphant shout. “You said Tommy!”
“Next round’s on you,” Rebecca reminded her.
Allison groaned and dropped her head, but she obediently purchased a round of drinks at the next club. By the time they reached the dance floor, Allison was growing increasingly obnoxious while Liz was laughing more than Rebecca had ever seen anyone laugh.
The dance floor
was nothing but a blur; a crowded mass of sweaty bodies moving in time to the music. Rebecca wasn’t much of a dancer and Liz was arguably worse, but at this point their inhibitions had vanished. They drank and danced and danced and drank until the room was so stifling that Rebecca’s head began to spin.
“I need some air!” she shouted.
Allison and Liz nodded in agreement, and a few minutes later they exited onto a quiet side street. Rebecca barely had time to take a breath before Allison gave a loud gasp.
“That’s where it is!”
“Where what is?” Rebecca asked.
Allison pointed to the fiery red sign that read Sabrosa. “The stylist at the salon today was telling me about this place. It just opened a couple weeks ago. They have a Latin band every night and three-hundred types of tequila, but their big thing is body shots on the bar.”
Liz frowned. “What the heck is a body shot?”
Rebecca didn’t miss the mischievous glimmer in Allison’s eye. “Let’s find out.”
Sabrosa instantly had a different feel than the other clubs they’d visited that night. Tall palm trees swayed gracefully overhead, adorned with Japanese lanterns and golden Christmas lights. The walls of the club weren’t walls at all, but rather a colorful ensemble of coral and beach-rock. High above their heads, a waterfall plunged from a makeshift cliff, creating a shimmering emerald river that flowed directly through the center of the club. Scores of lively patrons mingled on the bamboo bridges that arched across the river, connecting the bar area to the dance floor.
“Okay,” Liz said. “This is officially the coolest place ever.”
Loud cheers erupted from the bar, pulling Rebecca’s eyes in that direction. A scantily clad woman was blindfolded on the bar top, lying motionless as the bartender poured a shot of tequila into her navel. Seconds later a dark-haired man appeared–also blindfolded–and leaned over to slurp the alcohol from her skin.
“What’s with the blindfolds?” Rebecca asked.
“That’s what they do here,” Allison explained. “The bartenders randomly pull people from the crowd and pair them up.”
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