Page 23 of Inflame

“Oh, yes we are!” Angie defies, clinking glasses with mine before he can stop her. “Let’s go downstairs and make bad decisions.”

I burst out into laughter as Graham and Nic look like they just swallowed knives. I really hope they aren’t going to be killjoys to our excitement. When the two of us get together, we always create lasting memories. Tonight will surely be one to add to the list. This is our first time really hanging out as a foursome. The guys do not know what kind of fun is sure to be had.

I grab my black beaded handbag and double-check that all of my essentials are in place. I twist off the cap to my lip gloss and add a layer over my lip stain that surprisingly has lasted the hours that the label claimed it would. It is worth the exorbitant cost if it actually works.

My hair dried into a soft wave, and I push some over my shoulders. Angie leads the way out of the room, dragging me along by the elbow. The men take up the rear. The entire hotel is polished and sophisticated. Since staying here was a secret to me, I didn’t get a chance to research what is available for us to experience. I think the surprise of not knowing what to expect is adding to my excitement.

“Want to take a walk through the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens before we hit up the casino?” Nic asks, hitting the call button for the elevator. We get our own set for this section of the hotel, so the wait is not long at all—despite the venue buzzing with the weekend crowd.

I turn back to look at him. “Um, are they open at this hour? Do we need a taxi?”

“They are on the same floor as the casino.”

“Oh, here?Insidethe building?”

He nods. “I’ll show you.”

We all enter the car and Graham selects the ground floor button.

“I love this dress,” I tell Angie again, who has been looking extra stunning as of late. I know it has to do with the level of happiness that Graham makes her. I am thrilled they found each other. I pretty much am the greatest unknowing matchmaker of all time. Yes, I do take full credit for being the influencer in getting them to meet.

Angie’s smile lights up her face. “Thank you. I miss trying to squeeze into your clothes. But at least we’re not that far away from each other.”

“Just feels weird not being a yell away.”

She nods. “I agree.”

The doors open and we all step out onto the polished marble floor. Despite it being night, you would never know it from the bright lights cascading down from the ceiling. The men take the lead while Angie and I hang out in the back, chatting and stopping to take a selfie or two. This whole “winging it” approach is kind of refreshing.

“You can always come over and raid my closet. I’ve been in an organizational mode lately. So everything is in order. I even added some more essentials to my Doomsday Bin.” I narrow my eyes at her as she can’t contain her giggles. I don’t even know why she bothers trying to cover her mouth with her hand. I can tell just from her eyes that she thinks the whole thing is ludicrous. “You laugh, but I’m pretty positive you utilized my special heels from that bin at one moment in time.”

“True story. But it’s like you are preparing for an alien invasion where only the sexiest on earth survive, instead of for a flood or wildfire or viral outbreak.”

“Wow, sexy alien invasion, sounds like the making of a romance book you have yet to read.”

“No, I’ve read some,” she admits.

“Of course, you have.”

“Never judge an avid reader by how much alien dick they look forward to.”

“Wow, you are almost making me a believer.” I think about her perspective while we walk through the hotel’s main floor. “I better start adding more supplies to my bin then. There’s only so much preparing that you can do for an apocalypse without going completely crazy.”

“Preach it.”

I feel pangs of guilt for enjoying my view of Nic’s ass. He changed into a pair of dark denim jeans and a black button-down shirt. He could basically wear a bed sheet and still look amazing with a built body like his. He is stacked, and I can even tell the definition in his neck muscles as his arms move from the light stroll through the hotel. He has to work hard to get that type of sculpting; none of his body is an accident.

“Claire?”

“Hmm?” I ask, looking over at Angie in confusion.

“You zoned out there for a minute. Fantasizing about striking it rich tonight?”

I was fantasizing about something, that’s for sure. I swallow hard as the men chat quietly with each other. Their conversation seems intense, yet they are careful not to talk too loud. I can’t even make out a word—not that my focus is on words right now.

When we get to the indoor garden, it is bigger than I ever imagined. I can’t even keep a cactus alive. Or a goldfish. So seeing the grandiose horticultural display of plants being used to create art is enthralling. Strung from the glass ceiling are huge butterflies made out of various plants and flowers. Oversized hummingbirds appear to be flying through the open indoor sky. A giant bumblebee looks to take flight off an enormous flower. The designers carry the spring theme down below with running water fountains, walking bridges, and wildlife made from plants scattered about.

I stand in awe over the little footbridge and savor the smell of freshness. It must take hundreds of people to execute something to this magnitude and probably even more to maintain its beauty.

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