Page 20 of Paradise & Vodka

I took a bite of my bacon. "Whatever the VIPs need, I do."

"Like a butler?" He chuckled and looked at his snooty father as though he thought he was being clever. If he only knew that I did dowhatevermy clients wanted in various hotels on The Strip.

"More like apersonalassistant."

He arched a brow. "And you make a living doing that?"

"I'mverywell off, but thank you for your concern."

Ashleigh leaned over and whispered, "Sorry," into my ear. I squeezed her knee under the table to tell her that I was okay. I wasn't scared of these men and their questions. I could handle myself.

"The cost of living in Vegas is significantly less than Manhattan," Mr. Alexander stated with a smirk as though everyone in Vegas was rich given the lower cost of living.

"That may be, but I paid cash for my three-bedroom house and my Land Rover." I wasn't one to flaunt what I had, but one look at me, and people assumed I was a lowlife.

"Really?" Dougie asked.

"Like I said, I'm very well off."

"How long have you two been dating?" Everleigh asked, butting in to change the subject.

I draped my arm across the back of Ashleigh's chair as she answered, "It's been about eight months now."

"Really?" her mom asked. "I had no idea."

When Ashleigh and I came up with our story, we settled on dating for eight months. I thought she knew what she was doing by using that timeframe, but now I wasn't so sure since her own mother was confused.

"When we talk, the conversation always seems to be about Everleigh," Ashleigh responded, and I swore that my heart hurt for her.

"That's not true," her mother argued.

"Did you know that I got a promotion at work three months ago?"

Her mom started to open her mouth and then closed it before shaking her head.

"Exactly, but I can tell you everything about Everleigh's wedding, and it's not even my own."

I kissed the side of Ashleigh's head, wanting her to know that no matter what, she had me on her side.

"I need another cup of coffee." She stood and started toward the coffee station. I didn't hesitate to follow her.

Grabbing her wrist, I stopped her. "Hey, it's okay."

"They just frustrate me so much, and Douglas and his father are trying to act like you're beneath them," she groaned. "They piss me off."

I brought her in for a hug. "It's okay, baby."

"It's not okay. I can't even imagine how I’d deal with all this if I had come alone."

"But you didn't. I'm here, and honestly, fuck them." I stepped back and waved my hand in the direction of the table. "We're in fucking paradise, and we can do whatever the fuck we want."

"What I want is to get some sleep. I'm so tired."

"Then let's go get some sleep."

"If we leave, they'll think we're leaving because I'm upset."

"Do you care?"