Page 65 of A Bond with the Dark

“You don’t believe her?” I ask, pulling my sunglasses down over my eyes as the blast of Vegas heat stuns me.

“God no,” Anna says, pulling her glasses again. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she laughs.

“I believe mine,” Claire adds, unwrapping a piece of gum and popping it in her mouth. “She said I will be showered with love and affection in the future.”

“Yeah, by us,” Anna responds, putting her arm around her and kissing her cheek.

“Awesome,” Claire says, and now her voice is wet with the same sarcasm.

As our day on the strip winds down, we eat dinner at a little pub on Fremont.

The sun has set already, and the lights are coming alive in the city, lighting all of Fremont ablaze with neon.

“Sorry I’m so late,” Dominic says, joining us as we finish dinner.

“No worries, babe,” I say, trying the name ‘babe’ on him for the first time. It felt right. He doesn’t even flinch and kisses my lips. “Are you hungry?”

He grins. “Famished,” he says, pulling the strap of my tank top off my shoulder.

“For food.” I giggle, pulling it back up.

“Oh, well . . . then no,” he laughs and leans back. “Did you guys have fun today?”

“Oh, yeah,” Claire answers, wiping her face with the linen napkin. “We saw a psychic, had lunch, then caught a show.”

“What show?” he asks, his gaze dipping to me.

“Naked men. NBD,” I answer honestly. I have nothing to hide from him.

“Nice,” he replies without a stutter. “How was that?”

Anna’s face flushes. “Great,” she answers, grinning.

“Yeah, she has a date with one of the strippers later,” Claire teases her, nudging into her shoulder.

“Sure do,” Anna smiles, throwing her napkin on the plate.

“What are you going to do?” Dominic asks Claire.

She looks at Anna and smirks. “I’m gonna be the third wheel, of course.”

“Well, that sounds . . . fun?” Dominic says questioningly.

“He’s bringing a friend for her,” Anna states, touching her lipstick up in her compact mirror.

“Oh, good,” Dominic replies, waving the waiter over.

“Well, I think we’re gonna head back to the hotel and get ready for our date,” Anna says, gathering her things.

“Okay,” I say, “will you guys let me know where you are so I don’t have to worry that much?”

“Yes, Mom, we will,” Claire retorts and stands up, kissing me on the head. “Take care of our girl.”

“You know I will,” Dominic replies and the two are off to hail an Uber.

“What would you like to do this evening?”

“I think walking on the strip with you would be fine,” I answer and kiss him softly.

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