Page 50 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

Thomas and I decide to arrive separately, not wanting my first day to be about our relationship. As I step into the casino, the familiar sounds and smells wash over me. The clatter of chips, the hum of conversation, the faint scent of cigar smoke. It’s like coming home.

I make my way to the office, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m greeted by a sea of familiar faces, all of them looking at me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I brace myself for the whispers, the sideways glances, the gossip. But instead, I’m met with smiles, warm greetings, and sincere apologies.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” says Olivia. “We were real jerks to you. It was none of our business. And we’ve missed you.”

I’m taken aback and not sure how to respond. “Did Thomas ask you to say that?” I ask, my voice cautious.

Olivia looks genuinely confused. “Thomas? No, of course not. We just…we realized what we did sucked. We didn’t mean to drive you away. And we’re sorry.”

I’m stunned. I prepared myself for a lot of things, but this wasn’t one of them. I feel a lump forming in my throat, and I swallow hard, fighting back tears.

“Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice choked with emotion. “That means a lot.”

As I settle into my new role, I’m struck by how different things feel. I’m not just a receptionist anymore. I’m a part of the team. I’m a valued member of the casino’s staff. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong.

The day flies by in a blur of meetings and design work, and before I know it, it’s time to go home. As I pack up my things, I can’t help but smile. This is my life now. And despite all the ups and downs, all the heartache and uncertainty, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The end of my first week at the casino comes with a sense of accomplishment I haven’t felt in a while. I’ve managed to navigate the tricky waters of my new role, and though there have been a few hiccups along the way, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.

As I step out of the casino on Friday evening, I spot Thomas leaning against his car, a grin on his face. He’s dressed casually, a stark contrast to the sharp suits I’m used to seeing him in. It’s a look I could get used to. He seems relaxed and happy.

“Ready for your surprise?” he asks, opening the passenger door for me.

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “A surprise? You know I hate surprises, right?”

He chuckles, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Trust me, you’re going to like this one.”

The drive is filled with comfortable silence, the kind that only comes with familiarity. I watch as the cityscape gives way to open roads and sprawling fields, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It’s beautiful, peaceful. A stark contrast to the chaos of the past few weeks.

Two hours later, we pull up to a quaint little cabin nestled in the woods, the soft glow of the setting sun reflecting off a calm lake the cabin overlooks. It’s picturesque, like something out of a postcard. I gasp, turning to Thomas with wide eyes.

“You did this?”

He nods, a proud smile on his face. “I figured we could use a weekend away. Just the two of us.”

I’m touched by his thoughtfulness and the effort he’s put into making this weekend special. I lean over, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Thomas. This is…it’s perfect.”

We spend the weekend enjoying the crisp, clean air. It’s a bit cooler here, but it’s still warm enough to swim, and we make the most of our time at the quiet lake. It’s nothing like the busy beaches that surround Lake Tahoe, but equally as beautiful. Here, there’s only us.

On Sunday, Thomas tells me he’s packed a picnic lunch, and we’re hiking up to a waterfall he read about online. Thomas leads the way, his hand warm in mine. After a couple of hours, we find it, and it’s magnificent. The water cascades down into a clear pool below. It’s breathtaking, the beauty of nature raw and untouched.

Thomas turns to me, his eyes serious. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small box. My breath catches in my throat as he opens it, revealing the ring I had given back to him.

“Lily,” he begins, his voice steady. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for that. But I also know that I love you. More than I ever thought I could love anyone. And I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, showing you how much you mean to me.”

He takes a deep breath, dropping to one knee. “Lily Adams, will you marry me? For real this time?”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. I look at Thomas, at the man who’s hurt me, who’s loved me, who’s shown me what it means to fight for what you want. And I know, without a doubt, that I want to spend the rest of my life with him.

“Yes,” I whisper, throwing my arms around him. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

He pulls me close, and I can feel his heart beating against mine, the rhythm steady and sure. He slips the ring onto my finger and I know that there’s no place in the world I’d choose to be than here with Thomas, in the middle of nowhere, ready to start the rest of our lives together. After a long kiss, he starts to pull things out of the backpack, and while he spreads out the blanket, I grab the food, but he looks up at me and shakes his head.

“No?” I say. “Aren’t we eating?”

He shakes his head again and pulls me down onto the blanket before settling on top of me. “Not yet,” he whispers, and his hot breath on my neck sends a shiver through my body. No arguments here. Lunch can wait.

After we eat, we dive into the pool beneath the waterfall. The water is almost too cold, but it feels good on our flushed skin. We swim and splash around, our laughter echoing off the surrounding rocks.

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