Page 9 of Worth the Risk

Introducing Becca and Sierra to my new friends, I realize I didn’t get their names. “I’m sorry, but I never got your names.”

The dark-haired girl says, “Oh, I’m Sophie, and this is Amber.”

“Nice to meet you both. This is Sierra and Becca.”

Hellos are exchanged, and Sophie and Amber set their stuff out next to ours.

Over the next hour, we get to know each other. They’re both likable, especially Sophie, who is outgoing and friendly. Amber is a little more reserved but opens up as time goes by. We learn they’re here for the weekend visiting Sophie’s brother. She and Amber have been friends since they were kids when she came to live with her father, who works as the CFO in Sophie’s father’s company. Their fathers have been close friends since college.

“What business is your father in?” I ask Sophie.

“Have you heard of Knight Casinos and Resorts?”

“Yes. Last year, we went to the casino and spent the day in their spa. We had the works, from pedicures to massages. It was a wonderful day, and the staff were all very accommodating.”

Sierra and Becca nod in agreement.

“My brother just graduated with his MBA. Dad sent him down here from New York to learn the ropes. I hope to visit a couple of times while he’s here. I could set up a spa day, and we could all get pampered. Would you girls be interested?”

“I’m in,” Sierra and Becca say in unison, raising their hands.

I chuckle. “Sounds great. I won’t ever turn down a spa day.”

* * *

A couple of hours later, we call it a day.

“Would you like to come by the house?” Sophie asks. “We were thinking of jumping in the pool and maybe the hot tub later.”

“I’ll have to take a rain check. I have plans with Luke,” Becca says.

Sierra and I choose to join them, and after packing up, we follow Sophie to her home. And what a home it is. A stately Tudor-style brick mansion.

When we meet Sophie and Amber at the front door, Sophie offers us a tour. The house is grand from the outside, and I’m eager to check out the interior.

The inside is lovely, decorated with rustic trimmings throughout the house, with high ceilings and wooden beams. There are four bedrooms on the top floor, which we only take a quick peek into before going back downstairs.

The main level has a formal living room, a family room with a bar area in a room off it, a chef’s kitchen, and a dining room. The primary bedroom is huge and has a king-sized sleigh bed on the far end. The bedding is white and gray and has more than enough pillows. There are matching dressers and two lounge chairs sitting in front of a fireplace. Off to the left, there is a door slightly ajar. I assume it leads to a bathroom, but we don’t head any further inside. We go back to the barroom and as we sit at the bar, Sophie mixes some ingredients together.

“Would you like a drink?” she asks.

“Would love one, but I’m driving. Next time. A water would be great, though,” I say.

Damn, I really would have loved one.

“Goody for me that I’m not. Count me in,” Sierra says, clapping her hands like a little girl about to get her favorite ice cream.

After Sophie makes our drinks, we head out to the pool, pulling off our cover-ups and getting in. It’s nice to wash off the lake water.

“Where’s your brother?” Sierra asks out of the blue.

“He should be home soon. I texted him and let him know I have company over. He won’t mind, but I thought I should give him a heads-up so he’s not surprised to discover other people here.”

I wish someone would have given me a heads-up because I’m the most surprised out of anyone when her brother finally shows up.

ChapterFour

Leo

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