Page 112 of Gambler's Fallacy

When I recognize Connie, Vortex’s sister, I resist the urge to groan.

She had to have been the one watching me. It’s a small relief.

I cautiously let her approach, but I eye her warily. “Hi,” I say flatly. My feet are already itching to flee to the suite.

Connie’s wearing colorful leggings and high-waisted, short-cropped jeans over them. Her sweater is open, revealing a loose t-shirt that has a similar color pattern to her leggings. Her large tote bag reads “TerMa.”

“Fancy running into you,” Connie says. “I was supposed to meet with Sebby, but he texted to say he’s running late.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s been late for forty minutes though. Looks like he’s dreading this meeting as much as I am.”

Is Vortex going to bail on plans with me to spend time with her now? I didn’t know he was going to meet up with her at all, let alone right before whatever it is I’m going to have with him and Havoc.

I shouldn’t be jealous. Connie is his sister.

My stomach twists.

I don’t want to think about sisters.

Connie doesn’t wear smart business suits though, and she isn’t mimickingher. There’s nothing about Connie that resembles my mother. Connie’s hair is a different color, her accent is different, she’s shorter and plumper and the only thing wrong with her is that she’s somebody’s sister.

Nearly every woman is somebody’s sister or mother.

“Maybe he forgot,” I say, my voice steady and emotionless.

“Probably,” Connie agrees, but there’s something off about her voice. She looks around the casino. “You wanna grab a drink?”

I stare at her, unsure of what she wants.

When she catches my look, Connie smiles awkwardly. “Look, I know you’re not underage, okay? I was only giving Sebby a hard time. He’s all ‘ooh, look at me, I’m big and scary,’ which makes it extra funny when he gets flustered.”

I don’t believe for one second that she was only trying to needle him. She’d gotten under his skin with her supposed teasing, and he’d been more than flustered. He’d been downright uncomfortable — and upset.

This only makes me dislike her even more.

My silence seems to makeheruncomfortable. “C’mon. Let’s get a drink and let bygones be bygones. I’ll pay, too.”

I still have almost an hour to burn, and Vortex might have an easier time if Connie and I get along. I exhale slowly then reluctantly nod. “Okay.”

I follow Connie through the casino. We walk past the blackjack tables, and my feet automatically detour in their direction. Madeline’s table still has an empty seat. I could join in easily.

Madeline spots me, and a small frown crosses her features.

“Seven?” Connie asks. “The bar’s this way.”

I remember I’m banned from the tables, which makes my stomach roil, and my gaze snaps back to Connie. “What? Oh. Yeah.”

I wonder if she’ll buy me something to take the edge off. It’s worth a try, at least, and when we sit down at the bar, I order a rum and coke without ice. I know there’s a word for it, but I can’t remember.

This bartender gives me a once-over but must assume that I’m twenty-one because I’m in this part of the casino. He glances at Connie.

“A mimosa, please,” Connie says. She passes her credit card tothe bartender, and he takes it without question. She swivels her chair to face me. “Okay. So… I guess I know nothing about you. Do you work at the casino too?”

Of course she has questions, but this is one I can answer safely now. I’m more than Caleb’s boyfriend now. More than Vortex’s, too, and Havoc’s. “Yeah,” I say, but I don’t want to let her quiz me on it. “Where do you work?”

“I’m self-employed!” Connie says proudly. “I run my own business selling fashion apparel online.” She gestures to herself. “You can see some of my goods right here.”

I look her up and down, trying not to show how ugly I think all of it is. But I’m trying to be nice, so I nod to her and put on my best sincere voice as I say, “You must make a lot of sales.”

Her smile turns brittle, but she nods. “Yep! Sales are great. I even brought two other women in to join the business.”

---