Page 2 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

L: Eric told me to get a hold of you for a job, since you know I won’t mooch off him. I should be able to find something soon, but if you have any openings, I’d like to make some money and pay my bills.

T: I checked, and the hotel is hiring for some positions. We’re short at the front and on cleaners and since we’re always busy, I’d like to fill them as soon as possible.

L: The front, as in the check-in area?

T: Yes, that’s the primary job that will keep you the busiest. Want to come in for an interview?

I stare at the three pulsing dots.

L: I might as well. Does tomorrow work for you?

T: I’ll meet you at Mountains at one o’clock and we can discuss it.

L: I’ll see you then.

I set my phone down on the desk and lean back.

Huh. Lily wants to work here after all. She and Eric grew up wealthy just like I did, but other than taking her family's help for college, Lily worked hard to be independent.

I always admired her, but I wouldn’t give her the pleasure of hearing that. I don’t even want to give her a job, but Eric would question why I didn’t want to help his sister. There’s always a chance she won’t even show up tomorrow.

A man can hope.

It’s late at night when I leave after playing host to some golfers in the restaurants after the game. After having tournaments here in Tahoe for so many years, I know a lot of the guys and make the rounds to catch up. It doesn’t hurt to see how many people are dropping cash all over my casino, either. I need to get home and be alert for my busy day, and that meeting with Lily, so I turned down a few offers of company. It’s been a long day.

I sleep in as late as possible before showering and slipping into a black suit. I know some people stayed the night and will be around, so I want to look my best.

It has nothing to do with Lily.

When I get to the casino, I check in at my office to see if there’s anything pressing. I have a lot of staff to handle the issues that come up, but I like to be informed and involved as much as possible.

I check my watch and head down to the restaurant, bumping into some athletes who look a little worse for wear. I clap them on the back and give them a hard time about having too much fun last night. I’m invited to have lunch with them, and I tell them I have a meeting but to call me if they’re still here tonight.

I see them checking someone out as I walk away and take in the woman with dark red curls flowing down her back walking toward Mountains. It’s my most casual but most popular restaurant in the building and serves sandwiches and burgers along with other American food.

When I follow the redhead to the front of the large room, I stop in shock. This, I realize, is Lily. I stare at her ass in her black slacks for a moment, taking in how much she’s grown up. I feel resentment toward the other guys in the restaurant checking her out. Anger boils up inside of me for a few minutes, but what am I doing right now? I have no right to be jealous.

I check her out as she leans forward to talk to the hostess.

“Lily. You made it,” I say, and she turns to look at me. The hostess looks from me to Lily and offers to take us to a table. Of course, the hostess picks a table with a perfect view of the mountains. Nice job.

I look at Lily again, taking in her bright green eyes and porcelain skin. The years have been good to her, and she’s even more beautiful than she was the last time I saw her. Lily looks outside, waiting for me to start the conversation, and I wonder how the hell I’m supposed to work with her.

“Are you happy to be back?” I ask her, and she looks at me.

“It’s hard not to miss all of this, but Colorado was pretty, too. I know how much my parents wanted me home, so I thought I’d try it.” She shrugs and reaches for the menu. “How’s business here? It was the tournament weekend, right?”

Small talk. Fine—we can do it that way.

“Successful as always,” I respond. Then I remember the athletes checking her out and clench my fists under the table.Calm down. You don’t even care who checks her out.If I keep telling myself that, maybe it’ll start to feel true.

two

Past And Present – Lily

“Youwantmetowork with Thomas?” I ask my brother as I pull some books out of a box in my new house.

“ForThomas. Just until you get settled into something in your field. I know you won’t let me help you out until then. He’s got the casino, and there’s got to be something there. It’s just down the road,” he tells me, gesturing with his hand.

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