Page 11 of The Girlfriend Card (Vegas Sin #4)

“What kind of fun are we talking about? And how damaging was the video, exactly?”

“Nothing explicit. But the optics don’t look good because, again, we were out the night before an important meeting at work.”

“How did the meeting go?”

“Well, I did my part,” he said smugly. “But overall, I’d say it was a train wreck for the company. So when that video came out, it painted a target on my back. And now basically everyone in the company wants my head on a platter—management, um, our clients, everyone.”

“I see.”

“Really, the video itself is no big deal. It’s just the optics that are bad, like said.”

“And what are the optics, exactly?” I already knew the answer. I just wanted to hear him put it in his own words.

“Well, the video gives the impression that I’m not taking the business seriously enough.”

“ Are you?”

“Uh. I mean.” My question caught him off-guard, and he stumbled over his words. “I don’t know. I guess I could put a little more effort in.” His gaze grew distant, and he lowered his voice. “But … I’m working on it.”

“And how does your fake girlfriend fit into all this?”

“Right, well, when management started grilling me about the video, I guess I might’ve told them I had a girlfriend to imply that I’m settling down.”

“Huh? Why would you do that?” My eyebrow quirked. “They caught you on tape partying with another woman, did they not? So now it looks like you’re either lying about having a girlfriend, or she’s real but you’re cheating on her. Either way, it calls your character into question.”

“I know, I know …” He groaned. “I guess I thought it wouldn’t be this serious. But then the owner of the company heard, and he invited me and my girlfriend, Jane, to meet him for dinner.”

“Jane?” I giggled, finally understanding why he’d called me Jane. It struck me as absurdly cute that he’d mistakenly called me by the name of his pretend girlfriend. Not that I’d let him know it. “You named your fake girlfriend Jane? Couldn’t you come up with something a little more modern?”

“It wasn’t my proudest moment, sure, but they wanted a name and I said the first thing that popped into my mind.”

“Emma,” I blurted out.

“Huh?”

“That’s the first girl’s name that popped into my mind.”

“That’s definitely more modern.” He leaned back and stared at me with a sparkle in his eye. “See, Olivia, you’re quick on your feet. This is exactly why I need you for tonight.”

I sighed. “You’re certainly persistent; I’ll give you that.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Well, I know you’re going to ask me regardless of what I say. So sure, go ahead.”

“You said you’d done something like this before.”

I groaned. “I made the mistake of telling you that, yes.”

He leaned over the table, intrigued. “Can you tell me about it?”

“No. Sorry.”

“Were you paid for it?”

I sternly shook my head. “I really can’t say anything about it. At all.”

“But how long did you do it for? Was it a one-night thing? Longer?”

“Dakota … the less you know, the better. So please, stop asking.”

He chuckled. “Damn. You sound serious.”

“That’s because I am. ” I sighed and glanced at the time. I had to get going if I didn’t want to be late for my next interview. “I’m really sorry, Dakota. But I can’t help you tonight.”

“Really? You won’t help me out?” Poor boy looked crestfallen. I’m sure he was doubly shocked, because you could just tell he wasn’t used to hearing girls tell him no. “There’s nothing I can do for you?”

“I’m afraid not.” I stood and stuck out a hand for him to shake. “It was nice to meet you, Dakota. I hope you find somebody that can help you.”

“But I won’t find anybody else.” Dakota stared at my hand but didn’t take it. “What am I supposed to do tonight?”

I folded my arms. “I don’t know. Try telling your boss the truth, maybe?”

“Too late. If I do that now, I’m fucked.”

“I don’t know what to tell you.” Eager to get going, my body leaned in the direction of the exit. “But I’ve really got to get going. Bye, Dakota.”

“Wait. Can’t you stay a little bit longer? Even if you decide not to come tonight—” He squeezed his eyes shut and sighed. “I feel like talking to you really helps.”

Aw. I’ll admit, I was a little touched. It wasn’t easy telling him no …

I frowned. “I’m sorry, Dakota, but I really have to go or I’m going to be late.”

“For what?”

I ignored his question. “It was nice meeting you, okay? Bye.”

Dakota wasn’t ready to say bye; he hopped off his chair and followed me to the exit. “Let me walk you to your car.”

“I don’t need you to,” I said, but he hadn’t taken no for an answer yet, and I knew he wasn’t about to start.

“It’s the gentlemanly thing to do,” he said.

I giggled. “Funny. You didn’t strike me as the chivalrous type.”

He smiled and held the door open for me. “Maybe I’m a gentleman in disguise?”

I gasped sarcastically. “You truly had me fooled, Dakota. You’re just so committed to the disguise.

” Unable to resist, I wrapped my fingers around his round bicep and gave it a playful squeeze—or tried to squeeze it, anyway, but my attempt was met by an unyielding knot of muscle that didn’t give at all.

His green eyes sparkled. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? A gentleman can’t be jacked?”

Dakota followed me out the door.

Florin, still parked where I’d left him, spotted me and obediently hopped out of the driver’s seat. He posted himself by the back door, ready to open the door for me as soon as I arrived.

Shit. I dug my heels in and halted. I didn’t want Dakota to see I had a driver.

“This is far enough,” I said. “Thank you for walking me out. You can go now.”

He laughed. “What’s wrong with you, girl? I said I’d walk you to your car, not to the edge of the sidewalk.”

I pointed at the cafe. “Please go back inside.”

“Why?”

“So I can get in my car and leave.”

“Do you not know how this works?” he teased. “I’ll stop walking you to your car once we actually reach your car.”

“I don’t want you to see my car, okay?!”

“Why not? Do you drive a hooptie or something?” His eyes lit. “Because thirty grand would get you a decent set of wheels, you know.”

“Just go!” I tried to spin his body around and steer him back inside, but it was hopeless; he was too big and strong. It was like trying to maneuver a brick wall. “Ugh! Dakota! Please ! You’re going to make me late for my job interview!”

“Whoa, whoa whoa.”

Ugh. I was filled with instant regret, knowing I’d screwed up again.

“ Job interview, huh? Where?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I mumbled. “It’s just a place. Nothing special.”

“What place?”

I groaned. I just wanted to get him out of my hair. “Starbucks, okay? Happy now? I’m simply looking for a summer job while I’m home.”

“ Starbucks? ” His face contorted like he’d taken a bite out of a lemon. I had to chuckle, because Dakota took that bit of info harder than Florin had. “Why would you want to work there when I’m offering you thirty grand for a single night’s work?”

“For the millionth time, it’s not about the money,” I said. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

“So then what’s it about?”

“I just want a regular summer job. Okay? Any job. I really don’t care what it is.”

“ Any job?” I could see the wheels turning in his head. “I can get you a job.”

“No, Dakota, I want a real job. Not some one-night fake girlfriend thing.”

“No, I’m not talking about that job.” He pulled out his cell phone and started tapping away at the screen.

“All I want is a normal summer job,” I said. “With a schedule and a paycheck, and oh, taxes taken out, too.”

“Taxes. She wants her taxes taken out. What the fuck.” He chuckled under his breath. “You’re so weird, Olivia. Not gonna lie, though—it’s kinda insanely cute.”

I rolled my eyes. “All I’m saying is, I want the kind of job a normal college girl would work.”

“Oh, I’ve so got you.” He showed me his phone; he was calling someone on FaceTime. “Remember Brett, my best friend?”

“Yes.”

“He owns BarDown. Ever heard of it?”

“No.”

“It’s a brewery and restaurant on Valley View Boulevard. They just opened last year.”

“Okay …”

“You can’t get a more normal ‘college girl summer job’ than working in a restaurant. Plus, you’ll fit right in—all the girls that work there are cute as hell and make bank on tips.”

He really thinks I’m that cute, hm?

“Yeah?” I twisted a lock of hair around my finger. “I’ve always wanted to wait tables.”

“God knows why,” he murmured with a small laugh.

Brett, fit and handsome like Dak, popped onto the screen. “Yo, Dak! What’s happenin’, bud?”

“Hey, man. I’ve got a big favor to ask.”

“Shoot.”

“So this is Olivia.” Dakota turned the camera to include me in the frame.

“Hi, Olivia,” Brett said, flashing a smile.

I gave a shy little wave. “Hi, Brett.”

“Olivia’s a college student,” Dakota explained, “but she’s home in Vegas for the summer and she needs a job. Is there any chance you can take her on at BarDown?”

“Do you have any serving experience, Olivia?” Brett asked.

“None, sorry. I’ve actually never had a job before,” I said sheepishly.

This was the part where my job interviews always went south.

Everyone claimed to be so desperate for employees, yet they all had these crazy work experience requirements.

But therein lies the catch: how is one supposed to gain experience when no one’s willing to hire you because you don’t have any experience?

But neither Dakota nor Brett made a big deal out of it, and my shameful admission passed without judgment or snark.

“No worries,” Brett said. “We can start you as a hostess and go from there.”

“Really?!” I shrieked, excited.

“Sure. If Dak says you’re good, I trust you.”

“Oh. Dude. She’s so good,” Dakota said. “Thanks, bud. I owe you one.”

The friends exchanged byes and hung up.

I couldn’t believe it was that easy. And while I hadn’t exactly gotten the job completely on my own merit, at least I could say that I didn’t get it because of my name. Heck, these two didn’t even know my real name.

Dakota looked at me. “Well? I guess we finally found a way I can help you.”

I knew what he wanted. I drew a small breath. “Just one night, right?”

“Just tonight,” he reassured me.

“Okay.” I bobbed my head, convincing myself I could do this for someone else. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Really?! Yes! Thank you so much!” Dakota bent down, wrapped his thick arms around me, and gave me a long squeeze. His manly scent filled my senses. I liked it. “Wanna come back inside and talk more then? So we can run things over, get to know each other a little better?”

“What time is dinner?”

“Seven.”

“ Seven !” I repeated, surprised. “No, I have to go. I need to pick out what I’m wearing and get mentally prepped.”

“You need six whole hours to get ready for dinner …?”

“Oh, hush. This is not a normal dinner, Dakota.”

“Okay, fair. Text me your address. I’ll pick you up around six-thirty.”

“Sounds good.” I paused, casting a glance at my car, where Florin still patiently stood and waited for me. “Now … can you go back inside, please?”

“Okay. Fine. I’ll do it for you.” Dakota chuckled. “Weirdo.”

I shooed Dakota as he reluctantly went back inside. Watching through the window, I waited until he was seated at his table. Only then did I run back to the car. Florin opened the door for me in the nick of time so I could zoom right in.

“To your next interview?” he asked as he buckled his seat belt.

I shook my head. “No, take me to the family house, please.”

I’m going to need a dress for tonight.