Page 71 of Hearts Like Hers

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Slot machines pinged, cards shuffled, andguests milled about. It was Casino Night at Seven Shores, and Hadley had turnedthe island in her kitchen into her very own blackjack table where she playeddealer in her mock tuxedo. A sound effects track played from her wirelessspeakers, filtering all the background noise one would hear at a typicalcasino.

In solidarity with Hadley’s once-a-monththeme parties, Autumn donned her fire-engine-red cocktail dress that she’dstowed away in her car at oh-dark-thirty that morning when she’d set out forwork. She didn’t relish the theme nights the way Hadley did, but the last thingin the world she wanted to do was let Had down. Her puppy-dog face inspired toomuch damn guilt. Plus, she generally always had fun once they were alltogether, in costume or not.

“Do we know anything yet? About the potentialbambino?” Isabel asked from her spot at Hadley’s kitchen table. She held a fakecigar and wore a queen of hearts T-shirt. She turned to Taylor forcommiseration. “It feels like it’s been forever already.”

“I’m sure it feels longer for Autumn,” Taylorsaid gently, and passed Autumn a sympathetic smile underscored by TonyBennett’s “Luck Be a Lady.”

“Another week before I’m scheduled for theofficial blood test,” Autumn said, twirling a poker chip and finding irony inthe song. She had been counting the hours herself. Honestly, though, she wasstarting to have doubts that the pregnancy took, and that fear hung heavy, likea black cloud stalking her every move.

Shouldn’t she feel something? A twinge? Atingling? A telegraphed message from within that said:Hey, I’m in here!Anything? Autumn didn’t know the answer, but she most assuredly hadn’t felt adamn thing, and she’d been paying close attention. She refused to give the doubttoo much consideration, because underneath it all, she still carried hope.Regardless, she was going to be okay. No matter what happened. She was astrong, capable woman, and that would continue no matter what those testresults revealed.

“Who’s next?” Hadley asked. “Step right up!You, sir!” she said to Larry Herman, who entered the apartment wearing somesort of lavender zoot suit.

Isabel turned to them. “I think Had might beconfusing Vegas dealer with carnival barker.”

Autumn waved her off. “She is, but she hasone night a month where the little theme world she’s created in her head comesto life for all to see.”

Taylor nodded. “Agreed. I would hesitate totake that from her by way of character notes.” She squinted as if intrigued.“Though I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so happy to deal cards. She reallyenjoys life, doesn’t she?”

“Does Hadley enjoy life? Hmm, let’s see.”Autumn widened her eyes. “Does sand crawl into your bathing suit and have apicnic?”

“Now, that’s some imagery,” Taylor said,turning to Isabel.

“Already taking it down,” Isabel said, typinginto her phone.

“I always forget the dangers of hanging outwith screenwriters.”

“That’s for the best,” Taylor told her.“Material’s better that way.”

“I just lost two hundred dollars,” Giagrumbled, joining them at the table. She set her beer down extra hard.

“Wait,” Autumn said, glancing over at Hadley.“She’s playing with real money?”

Gia nodded emphatically. “Larry just threwdown five hundred.”

“We’re all going to prison,” Autumn said, coveringher eyes. “I’ve stumbled into a gambling racket.”

“Run by Elsa fromFrozen,” Isabel supplied dryly. “Aftereverything, who knew this would be the way they’d take me down?”

“Relax,” Taylor said, and slid her ahundred-dollar bill. “If you’re lucky, you’ll win first.” They exchanged aglance, the kind that couples did. Autumn used to find it cute. Now she lookedaway, jaded and over it.

“Oh, hey, did you see we have a new tenant?”Gia asked. “Another of Larry’s Airbnb folks.”

Autumn’s heart sank at the knowledge thatsomeone else was living in what had been Kate’s place. Life marched on,apparently, as cruel a sentiment as that sometimes was. “Who is it?”

Isabel turned to her. “Some guy with aguitar. You can hear him singing and strumming all the way out in thecourtyard. It’s not awful, but I miss Kate and her Grisham novels. Much morecontained.”

“I think I hate him,” Autumn said, staring atthe rather impressive Vegas-themed bar across the room, from which she couldhave nothing.

Isabel nodded emphatically. “We all hate him.Solidarity.” She offered a purposeful fist bump and headed off to the blackjacktable while Autumn played with swizzle sticks and wondered why time moved soslowly.

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Three days later, Autumn had to fireSimon-the-Nodder. She hated firing people, especially the college kids.Luckily, she’d gotten good at it based on the sheer volume of entry-levelemployees she’d dealt with over the years.

“I think you do a fantastic job, Simon.” Alie, but why demoralize him completely? “But it really came down to yourcommunication skills combined with the no-call no-shows.” He only stared ather, so she pressed onward. “If there’s any particular reason you don’t speakto me and my staff, specifically, could you let me know?”

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