Page 5 of Play to Win

LACEY

“We’re good for now,”one of the other guys says.Without taking my eyes off Théo, I smile and turn away.

There are two other men now seated in my section I need to serve.I head their way with my smile in place.Immediately I feel creeped out by the way they look at me.I swallow a sigh, contrasting this with the group of hockey players.

“Hi, Lacey,” one man says with a gross smirk.“I’m Ed.This here’s Lincoln.”

Neither of these guys is attractive, although they’re both wearing suits and ties and are clean cut.“Hi, Ed.Hi, Lincoln.”I take their drink orders, ignoring the way their gazes roam over me even though a shiver crawls up my spine.

Ugh.

I get flagged down by another table on my way by, and I’m glad things are busy tonight.When Enrico sends me off for a break, I reluctantly head to the staff room.I grab my phone and take the elevator to the main floor so I can step outside for a few minutes and get some air.

The night is balmy, the heat of the day easing now.Surrounded by the glitter of the Strip with the noise that goes along with it, I make my way across the stone terrace and sit on a low wall with flowers and greenery behind me.I unlock my phone and check to see if Chris has answered any of my texts or voice messages.

Nothing.

Damn.

Blowing out a breath, I tip my head back and stare up at the night sky.No stars are visible with the light pollution of the city, just a blank dark canvas, the sky beam of the Luxor slicing through it.

“Everything okay?”

My head jerks around at the question, and I see Théo the hockey player standing near me.The evening breeze ruffles his thick hair as he tilts his head.

“Oh.Yeah.”I press the button to darken my phone screen.“Fine.”

“Boyfriend troubles?”He takes a seat on the wall near me.

“No.Phht.”I shake my head.“No boyfriend.”

“No?”

“Nope.”I stretch my lips into a casual smile.This guy is apparently leaving for California tomorrow, so I don’t feel intimidated by his question.Or his presence, even though he’s a little drunk.“No time.”

“Well, I’d say that’s sad except”—he gives me a rueful smile—“I know the feeling.”

“So you’re not uprooting a girlfriend to move to California with you?”

“Nope.”His mouth tightens briefly.

“Did you get traded?”When they’d first talked about his new job, I assumed he was an accountant, but now knowing he plays hockey, I wonder if he didn’t have a choice about this move.

He laughs.“No.I don’t play hockey.”

“Oh.Sorry.Someone said you were all hockey players.”

“Not me.”He meets my eyes.“Not anymore, anyway.I was the assistant GM of the team.General manager,” he clarifies for me.“My new job is manager of a team.”

“Ah.I see.What are you doing out here?Are you leaving?”I pause.“You better not be stiffing me on the bill.”

He chokes out a laugh.“Ah, no.Just wanted some air.And don’t worry, the guys are good for the tab.I’m not paying.”

“Nice of them.”

He lifts one broad shoulder.“Yeah, I guess it is.They insisted on taking me out before I go.Ended up being my last night in town.”

“Are you going to miss Vegas?”

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