Page 2

Chapter 2

Garrett

O nce I settle the bill, we make our way back into the bustling casino. The vibrant lights swirl around us in a kaleidoscope of colors. The air buzzes with the clinking of coins, the shuffle of cards, and the murmur of excited voices.

Cyn turns to face me, and I know what she’s about to say.

"Well, Garrett, I should probably get going," she says, tucking a stray blonde hair behind her ear. "Thank you for dinner. And for being so kind."

My chest tightens. I'm not ready for her to leave. "Would you like to have another drink? We could play some blackjack or roulette."

She shakes her head, glancing at her watch. "I really should find my friends before it gets too late."

"What's your plan?" I ask, trying to keep the concern out of my voice.

Cyn shrugs, her smile faltering slightly. "I don't really have one. I'll just wander around until I spot them, I guess."

Alarm bells ring in my head. A beautiful woman alone in Vegas with no plan? That's a recipe for disaster.

"That doesn't sound very safe," I say, frowning. "Maybe we could look for them together?"

She hesitates, biting her lower lip. "I don't want to impose on your evening any more than I already have."

I shake my head, stepping closer. "You're not imposing. I'd feel better knowing you're not alone."

Cyn looks up at me, her expression softening. "You're sweet to worry, but I'll be fine. Really."

But I can't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut, which tells me not to let her wander off alone.

"At least let me help you look for a little while," I insist. "If we don't find them soon, we can come up with a better plan."

She studies me for a moment, then nods. "Okay, but just for a little bit."

Relief washes over me as we set off into the crowded casino. I place my hand gently on her lower back, guiding her through the sea of people. I tell myself it's just to keep her close in the crowd, but I can't deny the thrill that runs through me at the contact.

What am I thinking? I wonder. She’s way too young for me. She can’t be older than 25. But as she glances back at me with that radiant smile, I know I'm already in too deep.

She takes another step and grimaces in pain as if she’s stepped on something sharp. I look down at her feet and remember that she doesn’t have on any shoes. If this place wasn’t so crowded I would have noticed earlier.

"What did you step on?" I ask, holding onto her elbow so she’s able to take weight off her foot.

She grimaces. "I’m not sure, but, damn, that hurt."

She holds her foot up and I grab it, trying to see if there’s a cut or any blood. I don’t notice anything, but for all I know, there’s a shard of glass lodged in there that I can’t see.

"This isn’t going to do," I say, looking a bit closer at the bottom of her foot. "Let's get you some new shoes."

Cyn laughs, amused. "In a casino? At this hour?"

I grin. "You'd be surprised what you can find in Vegas. They say New York is the city that never sleeps, but it’s really Vegas."

We locate an open boutique tucked away in a corner. We head in and immediately start looking for shoes.

The shelves are nearly bare, though. There must have been a run of people needing items that they forgot at home. Or maybe the airlines lost a lot of luggage today.

"All we have left in your size are these," the sales associate says, holding up a pair of fluffy pink slippers with butterflies.

I stifle a laugh as Cyn's eyes widen in horror.

"You can't be serious," she mutters.

She sits down on the padded bench to try the slippers on. Before she does, though, I ask to take another look at the bottom of her foot to make sure there’s no lasting damage. I find nothing, and Cyn slides the slipper on her foot.

"They're perfect," I declare, pulling out my wallet.

Cyn stands up and looks at herself in the full-length mirror. "I feel ridiculous."

"Well, you look adorable," I counter, unable to hide my amusement. “And now there’s no chance of you stepping on anything else.”

As we leave the boutique she says, “Thanks so much for your generosity. I promise to pay you back.”

“Think nothing of it. Watching you walk around in those slippers is payment enough,” I say, chuckling.

Her face turns beet red and she mock punches me in the arm.

We continue our search, Cyn's new footwear drawing amused glances.

"You’ve got admirers," I lean down to whisper.

She shrugs, grinning. "Very funny. But seriously these are the most comfortable shoes, well slippers, I've ever worn. I’m never wearing heels again."

“I don’t blame you. I don’t know how you gals do it. They look like torture devices to me.”

“We do it because men love how our legs look in them. Why else?” she says. “But, agreed, they can be tortuous.”

"Any sign of your friends?" I ask, scanning the crowd.

Cyn shakes her head. "Not yet. But hey, at least I'm making a fashion statement!"

Her laughter is infectious, and I find myself joining in, momentarily forgetting about the search and simply enjoying her company.

She stifles a yawn and I glance at my watch, frowning. "It's getting late. Maybe we should get you a room for the night."

Cyn bites her lip. "But...I don't have any money. I mean, I do, but I don’t have access to it right now. I usually pay for everything using my phone."

"Don't worry about it," I say, waving off her concern. "I've got you."

We make our way to the front desk, Cyn's pink slippers shuffling across the marble floor.

"I'll pay you back. I promise," she insists, her eyes earnest.

I smile. "We'll figure it out later."

The attendant greets us with a practiced smile. "How may I help you?"

"We need a room for the night," I say.

His smile falters. "I'm sorry, sir. We're completely booked."

Cyn's face falls, and I feel a twinge in my chest. I can't leave her stranded.

“You must have something,” I prod. “A cancellation maybe?”

“My apologies, sir, but we have absolutely nothing available for tonight.”

I thank the man and lead Cyn back toward the casino area.

"Look," I say, leaning in. "My suite has a couch. You're welcome to take the bed, and I'll sleep on the couch."

She hesitates. "I couldn’t do that. I’d feel horrible."

I shake my head. "Well, I can’t leave you here with nowhere to go. My conscience won’t allow it."

"If you insist," she says softly. "Thank you, Garrett."

The elevator is crowded and I can't help but notice how she leans slightly against me. The wine, the late hour, or something else?

I let us into my suite and feel my heart hammering in my chest. Calm down, there, Garrett. We’re both just tired and sleeping is the only thing that’s happening here tonight.

I head straight to my suitcase and dig through it. "Here," I say, handing her a t-shirt and shorts. "They'll be big, but they'll be more comfortable than sleeping in your dress."

Cyn smiles and disappears into the bathroom. When she emerges, I can't help but stare. My clothes dwarf her small frame, the shirt hanging almost to her knees.

She giggles pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. "I feel like I'm wearing a tent!"

I laugh, struck by how adorable she looks. “I’m glad I brought some extra clothes.”

“Me too. I’m so much more comfortable now.”

I’m having a hard time not noticing how attractive she is. I’ve always had a thing for petite blondes. But, she’s so young…

"Want a nightcap?" I ask, trying to fill the space with something other than my awkwardness.

She nods, curling up on the couch. I pour us each a brandy, settling beside her. We both take a sip of brandy and I wonder if she is as uncomfortable as I am right now.

"You're enormous," she says, grinning at me. "I mean, you’re clothes are enormous..."

I laugh out loud. “Not the first time in my life that I’ve heard that. A long time ago some of my friends gave me the nickname Huge. My last name is Hughes and I’m obviously a big guy. So it just sort of stuck."

Cyn takes another sip of brandy, her eyes on mine. "It certainly suits you."

I chuckle, swirling the brandy in my glass. "It's funny, I never thought I'd end up this big when I was a kid."

"No?" Cyn asks, tucking her legs under her.

I shake my head. "Nah, I was actually pretty scrawny until high school. The other guys used to tease me. But hockey changed all that."

Her eyes light up. "How did you get into hockey?"

A warm feeling spreads through my chest, memories flooding back. "It was my grandfather, actually. He used to take me to games when I was little."

Cyn leans in, clearly intrigued. "How sweet."

"Yeah," I say, smiling. "Every Saturday, like clockwork. We'd bundle up, grab hot dogs, and cheer our lungs out for the local team."

"That sounds wonderful," she says softly.

I nod, lost in the nostalgia. "It was our thing, you know? Just me and Gramps. He taught me everything about the game—the rules, the strategies, the history."

"And you started playing?"

“I did. And all the training put a lot of muscle on. And then I had a big growth spurt. And next thing you know, my buddies nicknamed me Huge.”

“So you have your grandpa to thank for all that?”

"Partly," I admit. "But it was more than that. It was about the connection, the tradition. Every time I stepped on the ice, I felt close to him."

I look up, realizing I've been rambling. But Cyn's eyes are shining, fixed on me with an intensity that takes my breath away.

Suddenly, she leans forward and presses her lips to mine. It's soft, tentative, but electric. My mind goes blank, overwhelmed by the unexpected kiss.

She pulls back, eyes wide with surprise at her own actions. "I...I'm sorry, I don't know why I?—"

I cut her off, cupping her face gently and drawing her back in for another much longer kiss.