Page 42 of All Bets Are Off

“Fair pay. Sick and vacation leave. Due process when being fired.”

“All of that seems reasonable.”

She grinned. “Tell that to the casino owners. They’re the ones fighting it.”

“Why?” I had trouble understanding that part. “What do they have to gain from it?”

“Cheap entertainment for their guests. The sort of entertainment that they keep quiet from certain tourists.”

“Meaning wives and children.”

“You’re a smart cookie.” She winked. “We’re responsible for a great deal of happiness in this town, and we believe we deserve our fair share of the pie.”

I nodded. “That seems fair to me.”

“Yeah? Do you want to join the team?”

I automatically glanced down at my chest. “I’m pretty sure I’m not equipped for that gig.”

Her laughter was almost melodic. “You don’t have to be an exotic dancer to want to help.”

My boredom stood up and raised a hand. “Well, I am between gigs right now,” I hedged. “If it’s within reason, I might be convinced to help.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

10

TEN

“You’re up early.”

I was already in my suit—my father was the one who introduced me to Ralph Lauren suits, so I just followed his lead—and drinking coffee in the kitchen when Olivia emerged from her room. Today, for a change, she was dressed, her makeup was done, and she had a smile on her face.

She was pretty. It struck me in that moment. When she smiled, she was downright beautiful. I absolutely loved the way she looked. Heck, I even liked the way she looked when she was bumming around in jogging pants and a tank top. Sure, that look often didn’t require a bra—not that I liked the look for that reason or anything—but she was always cute. Now that she was dressed up, though, I couldn’t help but be blown away.

“Job interview?” I assumed.

She shook her head and moved toward the coffee pot. “No, and I’m starting to get bitter, Snookums.”

“Stop calling me that,” I growled.

She ignored me. “I feel as if I’m getting punished for doing the right thing, and that makes me a very hard person to be around.”

“I know you don’t want me to say it,” I started.

“Then don’t.”

I kept going because it felt necessary. “I still think giving you a job in the accounting department here is the way to go. In a year, people are going to forget that you almost single-handedly bankrupted Bradford and Sons, and instead, they’ll see your glowing references from our accounting department.”

“How do you know the references will be glowing?” Olivia filled her coffee mug only halfway and then added a bunch of flavored creamer. It was milk with a dash of coffee. To me, that wasn’t what coffee had been invented for. It was her way, though.

“Because I have trouble believing you’re a shitty worker. You’re just too … intense … for that.”

“You say ‘intense’ like it’s a bad thing.”

“I didn’t say it was bad.”

She smiled.

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