9. Nine

9

NINE

I t wasn’t as easy to find a job as I was hoping. Two weeks after the wedding—one week after the horror of him seeing me naked—and I was still twisting in the wind. I’d applied for thirty jobs, gotten three second interviews, and yet nobody was pulling the trigger. I didn’t have to think too hard on why.

“I told you I could get you a job,” Zach offered from the couch, where he was watching a basketball game with my brother. It was early—West Coast time meant that games were played when it was still light out—but it was obvious he was settling down for a long night in front of the television.

I did not get men and sports. I understood most sports—although if you asked me to explain exactly how soccer penalties worked, I would be adrift—and I even got excited for them sometimes. I was a huge Olympics geek, for example. Both winter and summer. Watching the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Detroit Pistons didn’t exactly blow up my skirt, though.

“What did I say?” I demanded of him. I was at the dining room table on my laptop, my body hunched over as I desperately searched for more jobs to apply for. I could’ve done it in my bedroom, but then I would’ve missed out on the opportunity to leave dishes out in the open and watch the vein in Zach’s forehead pulse.

Yeah, we were still in that place. It seemed to me that the only thing I had going for me was my irritation skills at present.

“I’m just saying, Livvie.” Zach looked pained now. “If you work here for a year—it doesn’t have to be a career—that will give people time to forget you’re the one who brought down Bucky Junior.”

“He’s right,” Rex offered from his spot next to Zach. “Your name is probably mud in certain circles.”

I used my imaginary death rays to explode my brother’s head. “Why am I being punished for doing what I was supposed to do?” I demanded.

“Because nobody actually wants their misdeeds publicized,” Zach replied. “They say they do—and if it was an employee they could publicly blame instead of a family member they would’ve appreciated it—but the truth is they want to sweep the embarrassment under the rug. That means throwing you under the bus.”

I hated— absolutely loathed —that he was right. “This sucks.” I pushed my laptop away. “I did the right thing.”

“You did,” Zach agreed. His attention was fully focused on me now. “You did the only thing you could do. It’s not fair, but it is what it is.”

“I can’t do nothing. I’ve been doing nothing for two weeks. It’s not fun anymore.”

“Oh, come on.” Zach let loose the sort of smile I knew separated women from their panties with alarming regularity. Well, it was having no effect on my panties. Not even a little. His charm didn’t work on me. “You know you’ve been having fun leaving dishes all over the penthouse for me to pick up.”

I was having fun doing that. I would never deny it. That didn’t mean I wanted him calling me on it. Rather than respond, I left the table and ambled over to the two of them. “Why are we watching this?”

“Because we like it,” Zach replied. “It’s basketball. Who doesn’t like basketball?” There was that smile again. He knew it irritated me. There was no other reason for him to be aiming it at me with such alarming frequency.

“Let’s do something else,” I suggested.

Zach reached for his beer. “Like what?”

“Let’s go to a show.”

“A show? Like a movie?”

“No, like a show. This is Vegas. There are shows everywhere.”

“Like the Blue Man Group?”

“No.”

“Cirque du Soleil?”

“Absolutely not.”

Rex burst out laughing. “You’ll never get her to Cirque du Soleil. She’s convinced there’s a grand conspiracy regarding people who can contort their bodies that way.”

Intrigue lit Zach’s features. “What sort of conspiracy?”

“She thinks they’re aliens.”

“Oh, come on.” Zach snorted. “I admit it’s freaky to watch, but it’s also beautiful.”

“I don’t believe the human body was created to contort that way,” I replied evenly. “It’s unnatural.”

“Oh, yeah?” Zach’s grin only widened. “Perhaps you just haven’t been pretzeled the right way.” There was flirt in his eyes when he said it. He’d been flirting a lot more since seeing me naked. I’d opted to ignore the phenomenon, but apparently Zach had forgotten it wasn’t just him and me today.

“Oh, don’t say things like that to my sister,” Rex complained. “It’s gross. I’ll have to kill you if you’re not careful.”

“I’m saying them to my wife,” Zach countered.

“Fake wife.”

“It doesn’t matter in this context. She’s being weird.”

“I think you’re both being weird,” Rex muttered under his breath.

Zach’s gaze was still heavy on me. It was almost as if there was something else he wanted to say. He didn’t, though. He just stared.

“I was thinking more like Cher,” I said.

“Cher?” Zach made a face I might’ve found hilarious under different circumstances. Not right now, though. “What is it with you and really old people? First that show?—”

“ Three’s Company is a classic,” I hissed.

“Now Cher?” he continued. “She could be your grandmother.”

“She is an amazing performer, and I want to see her before I die.”

“I think you should rephrase that to you want to see her before she dies, but sure.” Zach nodded. “She’s not currently in residence anywhere.”

“Oh.” I was caught off guard. “I thought she was always in residence here.”

“It only seems that way.”

Well, that was a bummer. “Who is currently in residence?”

“Um … Garth Brooks.” He scratched his chin. “Shania Twain.”

“The 90s called and they want their country artists that are really pop artists back,” I drawled.

His lips twitched again. “Adele.”

“I like her, but she makes me want to take a long bath with a purple bath bomb and have a good cry.”

Zach swallowed hard at mention of me taking a bath, and I shot him a warning look.

“You like old stuff,” he said after a beat. “I believe I can get us Lionel Ritchie tickets.”

“Blah. It has to be good old stuff.”

“Like Cher.”

I extended a threatening finger in his direction. “Don’t ever call my Lord and Savior Cher old. She is iconic.”

“Well, when she comes back, I’ll see if I can get you and Tallulah tickets.”

“That does me no good,” I complained. “Tallulah won’t go. She’s much more Harry Styles than Cher.”

Zach looked exasperated. “I’m trying to help you here, Olivia. With the job and your current level of boredom. You have to meet me halfway.”

Blah. He had another point. “I think I’m just going to take a walk on the strip.” I was listless as I wandered toward my bedroom to grab a pair of shoes.

Zach darted a look toward the window. The sun hadn’t set yet, but it was no longer high in the sky either. “Don’t be out on those skywalks late,” he chided.

“Okay, Dad,” I muttered just loud enough for him to hear. If Rex was paying attention, he didn’t react at all. Apparently, he didn’t care if I was on the skywalks after dark.

“Just don’t be a pain.” Zach gave me a dark look. “Watch yourself. This is Vegas. It’s always smart to watch your back.”

I offered up a sarcastic salute before heading to the door. “I’ve survived in Vegas for my entire life,” I reminded him. “I think I can take care of myself.”

He just shook his head. “You drive me crazy.”

“Right back at you.”

I STOPPED IN AT THE PURPLE ZEbrA TO SEE TALLULAH. I could’ve been edgy and gone elsewhere, but the truth was, once Zach put the admonishment about the skywalks in my head, I couldn’t shake the idea that it was probably best I avoid them.

“Hello, Sunshine,” Tallulah drawled when she saw me hop up on one of the stools. “I can’t believe you remembered your best friend. It’s been hurtful thinking I was forgotten.”

I shot her the finger and then pointed toward whatever was in the purple slush machine. “That’s the one I want.”

“How do you even know what that is?”

“Why does it matter? It’s purple. I like purple things.”

“Name one purple thing you like.”

“Grapes.”

“It’s not grape.”

“Lilacs.”

“You’re going to eat a lilac?”

“No, but there are lilac martinis and stuff now.”

“Lavender,” she corrected. “They’re lavender martinis and lattes.”

“Oh.” My lips pursed. “I guess that makes more sense.” I pointed toward the machine. “Is that a lavender daiquiri?”

“Plum.”

I perked up. “Even better. Bring it on.”

“Fine.” Tallulah headed off to get my drink. When she returned, she slid a plate of maraschino cherries in front of me. They were blue—my favorite—and she rested one elbow on the counter as she regarded me. “You’ve kind of been elsewhere,” she said to me, stirring up the guilt I didn’t even know I felt. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” she hastily added. “You are a newlywed.”

“Oh, don’t go there.” I shook my head. “I don’t find your machinations funny.”

“Oh, yeah?” She studied me for a long time. “Who saw who naked?”

There was no way I was answering that. “He’s being a pain,” I replied, avoiding the question. “He keeps offering to get me a job.”

“And you’re not taking him up on that offer why?”

“Um… I don’t want to be a Nepo Baby.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

I tried to hide a smile and failed. “Inconceivable.”

She laughed and took one of the cherries. “Seriously, though, why won’t you let him help you get a job?”

“Because if I take a job there, then I’m going to have to leave again in a year when we get divorced.”

“ If you get divorced,” she corrected.

I pretended I hadn’t heard her. I knew exactly where she was going with that statement, and I hated it. “I don’t want to have to start all over in a year,” I insisted. “That’s just a waste of time. Shouldn’t I be using this opportunity to find the exact right job?”

She arched one eyebrow. “It does make sense.”

“I know he’s trying to help.” I did know that. “I just… I need to figure this one out on my own.”

“I get that.” She patted my wrist. “How are things going otherwise?”

“Well, my mother is finally taking my calls again.” I sipped my plum daiquiri and grinned. “This is really good.”

“Yeah. It’s deceptively strong, too, so watch yourself.”

“Got it.” I shot her a thumbs-up and sipped again. “Anyway, what was I saying?”

“You were talking about your mother,” Tallulah replied. “I thought she was okay with the whole marriage thing.”

“Oh, she acted like it that night at the penthouse. Then she proceeded to avoid my calls for two weeks straight. Finally, last night she picked up. She wasn’t exactly effusive when talking to me. She wasn’t evil or anything, though.”

“Why do you think she’s mad?” Tallulah looked genuinely baffled. “I mean … you’d think she’d be happy that you snagged Zach. She’s always been fond of him.”

“Not that fond.”

I didn’t recognize that was probably the wrong thing to say until Tallulah readjusted her stance.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked.

Uh-oh. That was the wrong can of worms to open. “Nothing,” I replied automatically, shaking my head. “What’s going on over there?” I pointed toward a huge group of women holding signs as they marched down the sidewalk, seemingly heading in the direction of the Bellagio fountains.

“Um, no.” Tallulah shook her head. “Don’t even think of changing the subject. I want to know why you think that your parents aren’t fond of Zach. I thought they loved him.”

I sighed, hating how dramatic I sounded. “It’s just … they used to say things. Like they didn’t think Zach had enough parental supervision. That’s why they always wanted him to spend the night at our house. My mother once called him ‘superficially charming’ as well. I don’t think that makes it sound as if he’s their favorite.”

“No, but it’s also possible that they recognized he was a good guy and just needed a bit of guidance.”

“I guess.” I watched the women as they began to chant and pump their signs up and down. “What’s that?” I was serious when I asked the question this time.

Tallulah finally looked, although she almost seemed bored at the prospect. “Oh, that’s Vegas’s next big challenge.”

I furrowed my brow. “I think I’m going to need more than that.”

“It’s the exotic dancers group. They’re trying to form a union.”

I was convinced I’d misheard her. “What?”

“Yeah.” She smirked. “The strippers want a union. They say they’re mistreated and they want fair pay and more safety measures implemented at the various clubs.”

“Ah.” I was intrigued despite myself. “They kind of deserve it.”

“They do,” she agreed. “You’re not going to get any of the casino owners to side with them, though, because while they tacitly allow the dancers into their establishments, they pretend they don’t so they can masquerade as a family friendly environment at the same time.”

“Right.” I was well aware of how the casino owners talked out one side of their mouths while doing the exact opposite of what they promised. “I think I might head over there and see what they’re doing.”

Tallulah snorted. “Just how bored are you?”

“You have no idea. I happen to agree with their cause, though.”

“Well, be careful. I agree with them, too. Unfortunately, you just know that some of the people who would be drawn to ‘the cause’ are only doing it because they want to see some naked boobies.”

She wasn’t wrong. “I’ll be fine.” I dropped a tip on the bar because I knew she wasn’t going to charge me for the daiquiri. “I’ll text you later, and we’ll make plans for your next day off.”

“Absolutely.”

It wasn’t dark when I crossed the road, but it was starting to get gray out. Night seemed to fall fast in the desert for some reason, so I made a mental note to be more aware of my surroundings as I edged closer to the group. I wanted to hear what they were saying.

“Can I help you?” a female voice asked at my left.

I turned quickly to see if she was talking to me and found one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in real life—seriously, how was she real?—looking me up and down.

“Um…” Suddenly, I lost all traction in my mind. “What?” I asked dumbly, momentarily mesmerized by her cleavage. When I finally dragged my eyes up to her face, I found a smirk waiting for me. “Did you say something?” I asked like a complete and total idiot.

“I was curious what you’re doing here,” she replied. “I’m Halley, by the way. Halley Comet.”

I stilled before taking her hand. “There’s no way that’s your real name.” I shot her a stern look.

“My name is Halley with two Ls. My last name isn’t Comet. You’ll have to buy me a drink if you want my real name.”

I laughed, as I’m sure she intended. “Olivia Carter.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.” She gripped my hand tightly. “Are you just here to look?” She jiggled her breasts for emphasis.

I laughed again. “Actually, I was over at the daiquiri bar with a friend. She works there. I saw all of this and was wondering what it was about.”

“You’re a local?” She perked up.

I nodded.

“Then you’re just the sort of person we want here. We’re trying to unionize.”

“I thought you guys were already unionized,” I admitted.

“No. Individual clubs have allowed their workers to unionize. They’re few and far between, though. We want to go bigger.”

“What are you looking for?” My orderly mind wanted details.

“Fair pay. Sick and vacation leave. Due process when being fired.”

“All of that seems reasonable.”

She grinned. “Tell that to the casino owners. They’re the ones fighting it.”

“Why?” I had trouble understanding that part. “What do they have to gain from it?”

“Cheap entertainment for their guests. The sort of entertainment that they keep quiet from certain tourists.”

“Meaning wives and children.”

“You’re a smart cookie.” She winked. “We’re responsible for a great deal of happiness in this town, and we believe we deserve our fair share of the pie.”

I nodded. “That seems fair to me.”

“Yeah? Do you want to join the team?”

I automatically glanced down at my chest. “I’m pretty sure I’m not equipped for that gig.”

Her laughter was almost melodic. “You don’t have to be an exotic dancer to want to help.”

My boredom stood up and raised a hand. “Well, I am between gigs right now,” I hedged. “If it’s within reason, I might be convinced to help.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”