Page 12 of Gin & Jewels

“Yep.” Did he just come to see if I was getting off soon? He didn’t stay long at all.

I went to Steve’s table and gave him his drink. “Thanks, Cassie. You’re a doll.”

I smiled tightly. “You’re welcome.”

“Everything okay?” he asked as he slid chips in for his initial blackjack bet.

My smile widened. “Of course.”

“Guy troubles?”

I tilted my head slightly, wondering if he’d heard Micky. “No, not guy problems.” I didn’t know Steve’s story, but he was always dressed in a suit, and he looked good for a guy old enough to be my grandpa.

“Well, don’t look so down. You’re a pretty girl. You need to smile all the time.”

“I’ll try.” I grinned and started to walk away, but his words stopped me.

“Don’t leave without your tip, Cassie.”

I turned and saw that he was holding a twenty-dollar chip out for me to take. “That’s a …”

He smiled. “I know. Lunch is on me today.”

My face lit up. “Thank you so much, Steve. You’re amazing.”

“Not a problem.”

“I’ll be back soon with another drink for you.”

“Thanks, doll.”

I grabbed a couple of drink orders from the slot area nearby before going back to Alex to submit it. “Guess what?” I asked.

“What?”

“You know that guy Steve who comes in here all the time? Whiskey sour guy?”

“Yeah.”

“He gave me a twenty-dollar chip.”

“No shit?”

“Yep.” I beamed.

“I heard the guy is loaded. Owns a jewelry store or something.”

“Oh, well, that explains it, I guess.”

“Play your cards right, and he may give you more than a twenty-dollar tip.” Alex winked.

I laughed and took my tray of drinks, delivering the slot orders first before going back to Steve. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Cassie.” He tossed a five-dollar chip onto my tray.

“Thank you.”

He continued to place bets and ask for cards while we talked. “I like you, Cassie. And you know, I own a jewelry store near West Sahara. You should stop by. I’ll give you the family discount.”