Page 128

Beck
I'm always watching your body, baby. You should know this by now.
“She's smiling now. Must be Beck,” Faith whispered to Paige.
“I can hear you guys. Iamin the room with you.”
They shared a guilty glance as Parvati entered the room. She’d become a vital part of my business management and there was no way I could do this without her now that things were just getting started.
Parvati tapped her clipboard. “It's time to go.”
* * *
The ribbon cutting was a huge success, I made nice with everyone, including some reporters who were more interested in my love life than my business. I easily batted away their irrelevant questions, giving them just enough to keep them on my good side while protecting what I had with Beck and Alice.
Because they were absolutely mine to protect.
Finally, I spotted Beck where he stood talking to Sebastian, Faith, Paige, and her husband Gabe, at a highboy at my favorite bar in the Chateau.
I savored having them all here to support me. My friends who waited up just to be able to congratulate me in person, navigating through all chaos and hoopla without a complaint. I’d been looking forward to this all night. The moment my official duties were finally complete, and I could spend time with my favorite people in the world.
“Hi, baby.” Beck enveloped me the second I stepped into his reach. The hug was deliciously long and grounding. I inhaled his scent and instantly felt more at peace.
“You're incredible and this place you've created is incredible,” Beck whispered in my ear.
“Thank you,” I said before quickly kissing him.
“Get a room,” Paige heckled.
Faith laughed and nudged my old friend. “Hey, I was going to say that.”
We moved so that I was standing in front of Beck with my back to his chest. I could lean against him this way while also being able to see my friends.
Then a bartender swooped in with my favorite mockjito.
“Thank you,” I mouthed, making a mental note to give them kudos the next time I saw them.
My friends were chatting about the bowling alley when I twisted in place.
“How's Alice?” I asked Beck.
“Having the time of her life,” Beck said. Alice spent the evening in the kids club area. She was the inspiration for it to begin with, so it only made sense she christened the space too by eating pizza—still Hawaiian—and playing with other kiddos her own age while being watched by childcare experts who had been highly screened and vetted. “I’ll probably have to drag her out of there.”
“Well the kids club was too good of an idea. Honestly, cruise ships have them, and I don't know why casinos don't. Parents are going to be more likely to come here if they know they can have fun while their kids are safe and sound.”
Beck kissed the corner of my lips. “You're brilliant.”
“And Alice can spend all the time she wants at the kids club when you guys are visiting.”
We’d talked about this a lot. With The Chateau opening, I needed to spend lots of time overseeing things. I’d spent more time here than in Brooklyn these days which proved challenging at times, but then Beck insisted I get a helicopter.
That had turned out to be an amazing idea because I could shuttle high rollers in from the city and cut my commute time. Making it home most nights because Beck and Alice were my home, and I didn’t want to waste a minute not being with them.
Darnell got to work in Atlantic City more, which made him happy since he and Parvati were definitely dating. Not that either of them would admit it.
“We should do something fun to celebrate,” Beck said into my ear for only me to hear.
I held his arms around my waist like a belt. “What do you have in mind?”