Page 143 of Playing For Keeps
“You better not do something as spontaneous as that.” I grab her and lead us out of the chapel.
“Why not? It could be a two-for-one.” She glances at Aiden.
He laughs her off as he and Jami follow us out. We roundthe corner where the casino and the chapel meet, and my eyes pop out of my head.
“Well, there’s another thing I didn’t expect to see today.” Mel stops and turns to Jami. “Did you have a hand in this too?”
Jami’s face bunches together. “In what?”
She points to a small bar area that’s off to the side of the casino floor. Jami tracks her finger to the area.
His eyes round. “I had nothing to do with that. That’s pure coincidence.”
A moment later, Hunter’s head swings my way. Our gazes connect. His eyes round as shock scatters over his face, but he recovers and shoots us a smile.
What are the fucking chances?
I continue down the path, knowing we’re going to pass right by him. “Jami…”
“I’m right here.” He rushes to my side. “We can stop or wave as we walk by. This is your call.”
Other than my utter surprise, seeing Hunter isn’t causing any upsetting reaction.
I glance up at Jami. “Let’s be cordial and say hi. My brother is working a side job with him, so he’s bound to stop us anyway.”
“Like I said, I’ll support whatever you want to do.” He takes my hand.
Hunter’s sitting at a table near the edge of the bar. There are no walls, but there is a clear divider that marks the boundaries of the establishment.
With how my group is arranged, I’ll be the first and the closest to him when we pass. I suck in a breath, hoping nothing goes wrong.
As we approach, he stands. “Beau… Dorothy, what a surprise.”
“Hi, Hunter. I never would’ve thought we’d run into you here.”
He laughs. “You’re in one of my casinos, and you didn’t expect to see me? You know I’m always traveling, doing site visits. The chances of someone seeing me here are higher than someone running into you here.”
“Good point.” I step to the side and reach over the rail to give him a hug.
He bends down and holds me. His cologne drifts into my nose. As good as he smells, nothing sparks in my body.
He pulls back and clears his throat, glancing at a blonde who’s sitting at his table. I didn’t notice her before, but I do now because she’s eyeing Hunter and me up and down like she’s ready to intervene if needed.
The rest of my group gathers around us. They all say a quick hello as he motions for her to stand.
“Channel, this is a group of my employees.” He dips his head to us.
His employees?
It’s such a strange way to introduce us.
I crinkle up my nose and gawk at him.
She smiles tightly and sways to his side. “Nice to meet you all.”
Aiden takes a step closer. “I’m the only one who still works with Hunter. And I’m a contractor, not an employee.”
Jami shrugs. “Hunter and I still discuss work. We probably always will. But like Aiden, I was a contractor too.”
