Chapter 11

Nadia was pleasantly surprised that Lacey showed up for their second and last "date" that afternoon. I half-expected her to cancel and refund me half of my money. Already, Nadia had heard that happened with another "happy couple" that turned out handsier than anticipated once the alcohol flowed the night before. Nothing surprised Nadia anymore. Except for Lacey's presence.

"I wasn't sure how I should dress." Yet that hadn't stopped Lacey from being a different kind of knock-out in a white linen shorts and overshirt set that was complemented by the pop of blue beneath. The tank top was conservative in cut but bold in color. With her hair cropped so close to her ears and large sunglasses on her face, she looked chic enough to board anyone's mega yacht… or ready to take on a touristy day at the tiki bar. "Depending on what you have in store, I can go back upstairs and change into something less comfortable."

Nadia got up from her seat in the hotel lobby, her grin as wide as her relief that Lacey hadn't stood her up. "I'm not exactly dressed for the Ritz, either." Even so, she had worn her nicest pair of day-leggings and paired them with a Ralph Lauren shirt dress and practical brown sandals from the department store. Like Lacey, she had been wary that what she wore might have been more tourist than luxury, but now that they were both on the same page…

Maybe they would forget parts of the night before and have some fun?

"I'd like to stay near the Strip if it's all right with you," Nadia said. "I'm flying out with everyone tomorrow afternoon and don't want to be super exhausted because I hiked ten miles toward the Grand Canyon or whatever."

"Of course. Who is this ‘everyone' you speak of?"

"Oh, we flew here on the Mathers' family plane." They slowly strolled through the casino, heading for the doors that dumped them on the Strip. "Tomorrow we're flying back with my friend Jasmine and her husband Ethan. I guess they flew commercial coming here. Coach, even."

"You're kidding." Lacey grinned, hands in her linen short pockets. "Bad enough your boss is here lurking while you're on vacation. Now he'll be on your plane. How's that going?"

"It's a complicated situation, as you know… having dated him."

Lacey laughed. "I'm sure. He seemed like a decent guy for a ‘self-made' billionaire."

"I take it your family never saw such dollar signs in your life."

"No, no. A couple of multimillionaires, like my uncle, but my parents were upper middle class when I was growing up. I did go to private school, though. Does that ruin my cred?"

"No offense, but you said your uncle is a multimillionaire – your ‘cred's' already busted."

"Uh-huh." Lacey stopped. "Here I thought it was the Catholic private school."

"Was your family even Catholic?"

Lacey leaned against the bare wall. "No. It was all about the connections to good universities. By God, though, I can recite the Catechism."

"I used to go to Sunday school when I was a kid." Nadia stayed close to Lacey to carry on a conversation. "Wonder what my teacher would think of me now, standing in the middle of Sin City with a gay ring on my finger and in the presence of another queer?"

Lacey lowered her sunglasses. "Know what the nuns at my school would say? In Latin."

"Sounds like you knew how to get in trouble."

"I was good at getting in trouble and not getting caught."

"Oooh. A real bad girl."

"It had its pros and cons."

A woman with a large tote bag bumped into Nadia from behind. The woman never apologized, and Nadia was soon smacked up against the wall next to Lacey. She almost dropped her purse, its strap flapping helplessly against her leg.

"You all right?" Lacey asked.

Nadia straightened herself up and cast her purse strap over her torso. "Peachy. Where shall we go?"

"We've both already had lunch, and I'm guessing we're a bit young to go straight to a club to dance…" Lacey peered out the door. "What time is it?"

"Almost two. Why?"

"That's when the Ferris wheel opens. Have you ever been?"

Nadia shook her head.

"How has your wife never taken you for a spin on one of Vegas's biggest icons? Are you afraid of heights?"

"Not really. I just never had the urge to go, and Eva never offered. She's more a spa and shopping girl."

"Well… I happen to know that the Ferris wheel is one of the approved activities on that date voucher you got from the auction, so what do you think? Unless you're more of a Mob Museum or escape room kind of girl…"

Nadia pulled up the voucher with all of its QR codes on her phone. "That's definitely not something I've done before."

"Then what are we waiting for? If we go now, we might beat most of the opening line."

The High Roller, as it was called, was not that long of a walk from their hotel. The longest waiting time was for crossing Las Vegas Boulevard, which was alive with airport shuttle vans, Ubers, and workers commuting to and from work on the Strip. Nadia was grateful to have put on some sunscreen, especially on her face, since the springtime desert sun was on full blast. She pulled a handkerchief out of her purse and dabbed her cheeks as she and Lacey crossed from one side of the Strip to the other, a whole movement of people pushing from behind and propelling before them.

There was a line at the wheel, of course, but they were mostly in the shade. Nadia didn't mind the bustle of children or the honeymooners locking lips in the line. If there was one thing she had learned from the night before, it was that Lacey never allowed the silence to stay awkward.

"Looks like it's a twenty-minute wait." Nadia shielded her eyes as she watched the giant wheel slowly spin. It must be quite the sight at night. She could see it from her room but never thought what it must look like while waiting in line. Neon lights and screams of fun… sounds like Vegas. This may not have been Nadia's favorite American city, but she appreciated what made it… unique. "The ride itself is about half an hour long…"

"I already know what you're asking, and I'm already thinking about it."

"Really?"

"There's a rooftop beer garden not too far from here. It's a bit of a wait to get in on a Sunday afternoon, but…" Lacey was already looking at her phone. "I know a guy who knows the manager. "I swear, the biggest perk of my day job is all the friends I've made along the way." Her knowing smirk made Nadia giggle.

A chance for a more in-depth conversation came once they were finally on the ride. Nadia braced herself for movement, although Lacey was perfectly content as she crossed her arms and slightly slinked down the hard seat. Nadia peered out the window once they were high enough to appreciate some of the views.

"I hope you're not angry about last night."

Nadia's attention was snatched away from the Las Vegas sunlight reflecting off the tall buildings along the Strip. Instead, her entire world was this small cart on the High Roller, a place where many intimate conversations must have taken place before. People have gotten engaged in this thing… First kisses. Frank talks about money and kids. Drunken frivolity that ended in vomit all over the basket…

Now this?

"Of course I'm not angry." Nadia pulled the bulk of her hair over her shoulder, mindlessly threading her fingers through it as she attempted to look present in the moment. "Don't worry. I get it. There was… tension."

"Sure, and you're married."

Nadia knew she blushed, but she couldn't control it. "I guess Eva saw us together last night. She wasn't mad, though. She's quite understanding when it comes to these things."

"Something tells me you two are not in an open relationship."

Like she couldn't rein in her blushing, Nadia also couldn't mitigate the gasp rippling across her lips. "N… no. Of course not. We're monogamous. I… I haven't been with anyone but her since we started dating, and the same is true the other way around."

"It's hard for me to fathom. About Eva, that is. She was the most notorious philanderer back in her day."

"Why do you think I wasn't interested in her? Wasn't because she wasn't hot…"

Lacey's laughter was loud enough to rock their basket. "I know that feeling."

"Are you telling me you had a crush on my wife back in college?"

"Absolutely not, but that doesn't stop me from acknowledging she was a hottie."

"Was?"

"Fine." Lacey's arms may have already been crossed, but she somehow conveyed that she would cross them even harder. "She's still hot. You happy?"

"I do like it to be acknowledged, yes." Nadia gently nudged the woman sitting next to her. "Where do you live? If it's anywhere near me, we could be friends."

"I'm afraid that my New England days are behind me. I've been in and out of California most of my adult life. The only time I travel back to the Eastern Seaboard is for business."

"Where are you now?"

Lacey's arms slowly unfolded. While one stayed near her lap, the other landed on the back of the seat, careful to not touch Nadia's shoulders. "Why are you asking? Looking to show up on my doorstep one day?"

"I'm curious about you. Trust me, anyone who makes Eva grit her teeth the first time they cross paths again is someone I want to get to know."

"You have an interesting marriage, Nadia."

"It's weird, but I like it."

Lacey studied Nadia's earnest expression before answering. "Right now I live near San Diego. The Vegas side, which surprises people. I like to be able to drive up when necessary for work. Beats flying in a plane."

"Clear on the other side of the country from me. How rude."

"Come on. What does a friendship between us look like? Flirting until Eva forces herself between us? Or is that what you want, Nadia?"

Every time she said Nadia's name like that, the woman in question experienced a new tingle somewhere in her body. "What are you talking about?"

The cart slightly rocked as Lacey turned her whole body toward Nadia. "I think you like it when Eva gets a little possessive. Is that why you're so excited to be seen with me?"

Flashes of the night before almost made Nadia give herself away. Even though I'm married to someone else, somehow, the thought of her knowing what Eva and I did after that date is killing me with embarrassment.

"You've got it all wrong," Nadia announced.

"Do I? Because you've got to be some kind of freak to be married to Eva Warren. Good girls like you are simply good at hiding their kinks."

Nadia looked away. "I already said I didn't hold last night against you. No reason to bring that kind of stuff up."

"Nadia." Lacey retracted her arm. "I don't mean to offend, and I apologize if I do, but… not even the most self-assured woman wants to be jerked around."

"Why don't we enjoy the rest of our ride?"

Lacey took the hint. Some topics were off-limits, even between them.

The mood had improved again by the time they reached their reservation at the rooftop beer garden. Nadia was overwhelmed by the seasonal selections and accepted Lacey's recommendations of both cider and wine since Nadia had never been a beer person. It didn't stop Lacey from ordering an IPA she said was "the best to come from Nevada." Even when it arrived in an attractively tall glass, Nadia was not inclined to try when Lacey offered her a sip.

Nadia stuck with her cherry cider. Lacey did not hesitate to make the expected joke of comparing cherries to Nadia's hair.

Was Nadia relieved to find the air around them once more acceptable? Of course! But she was also keenly aware of the electric charge fading. What had been fun and new the night before now reminded her that after she and Lacey parted ways today, they might never see each other again. Rarely did Nadia wish a one-night stand was in order – in another life, of course. What I mean is that it would at least be a mark neither of us can forget… Nadia was sometimes a wild romantic like that. Because she was well aware that many people didn't think the same way.

Nadia had accepted that this would be nothing more than a way to pass the time with a stranger she got along with. Any longing, any curiosity, and any desires she felt solely belonged to the farther corners of her girlish heart. Real life waited for her after tonight. She'd probably tell Eva the basics and let her wife fill in the rest. We'll probably have more sex than usual this next week because she doesn't want to let the possibility pass her by. The next time Eva teased Nadia about having a threesome…?

Oh, God.

She hated that the idea passed through her mind. Me. Lacey… and Eva?

It sounded impossible. It sounded impractical. Hell, it sounded hot!

This had never happened to Nadia before. Any talk of a threesome or opening up their relationship stopped at silly jokes or Nadia chastising her wife for being a pervert. Yet Eva was serious enough to address any elephants stomping through their rooms. Nadia also knew a thing or two about fantasies of her own…

Not to mention what she promised Eva earlier that year. – that by the end of this one, they would have their first threesome as a couple. Nadia only had to pick the person.

"Is your drink okay?" Lacey asked. "You've got such a strange look on your face. Is it too sour?"

Nadia was brought back to the moment. "Yeah. It's fine!" She pretended she needed her napkin to tidy up a spill. When she looked up again, she nearly had another heart attack.

She recognized the couple being led by the host to a table not too far away from Lacey and Nadia. A waiter blocked Kathryn and Ian's view of Nadia's table, but she saw them as clear as day – and knew that they would recognize her the moment either of them caught wind of her bright red hair.

"I didn't know they'd be here," Lacey said. "Isn't Ian supposed to be with your wife?"

"She said something about doing something with him, but I guess they're done now."

"Guess so. Does this mean she's expecting you back soon?"

Nadia actively decided to avoid looking at her phone. "Don't know. I told her I'd be back before dinner. It's not quite dinner time yet."

"Yes, but I'm a bit hungry. How about we split some fries?"

Lacey lifted her hand to get the waiter's attention. It also got Kathryn's attention, who feebly waved at them before setting her sights on her husband and no one else.

"They were pretty cozy," Kathryn admitted to Eva a few hours later. They sat in Kathryn and Ian's suite down the hallway from Eva's room. Nadia had long returned from her date with Lacey but told her wife she had promised Jasmine they'd play a quick couple casino games since Ethan would rather do anything but be trapped in a casino with five hundred other people – and Jasmine wanted to do something at least once.

"How cozy?" Eva took up most of the couch. Unfortunately, her legs were so long they kept knocking Kathryn's purse off. "Like about to get it on cozy, or I'm about to get served with divorce papers cozy?"

Kathryn rolled her eyes from where she sat at the desk. "They were laughing, sharing an appetizer, and having a good time. Exactly what I want from my happy auction participants." That eye roll turned into a piercing gaze into Eva's soul. "Thank you for having fun with my husband today. I hear his cardiovascular heart is enjoying an all-time high thanks to you."

Ian called to them from the opened bedroom doorway. "It was fine before that!"

Eva didn't give a shit. "Forget that loser. I'm talking about my amazing wife and one of the biggest thorns in my side back in college. How cozy?"

"I highly doubt Nadia was on the brink of running off with Lacey. Besides, Lacey's not like that. I've known her for a while now. She's about as honest as they come from those in the industry. Why do you think casinos pay her the big bucks to audit their systems? She's honest!"

"You and I both know that when sexual tensions run high, people start humping. Or am I the only one who remembers how you and Ian finally hooked up after spending your twenties playing cat and mouse, complete with hissing?"

"You'd never guess he was one of my most disliked people on this earth." Kathryn stretched her arms above her head and rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm starting to think this isn't actually about Nadia and Lacey. How do I know it's not about you and Lacey?"

"I don't like the cut of your jib."

"You guys ran afoul of each other back in college because you were horny for her, and she thinks you stole her girlfriend from back then."

"I did not," Eva interrupted, her honor once more on the line. "That girl was cheating. I thought she was single and dating around."

"Anyway, sounds like you two have some unfinished business as well. Maybe this is less about you worrying about Nadia and more about you being jealous because she's the one getting all up in Lacey's business."

"Why you gotta talk to me like that?" Eva's knee wagged back and forth on the couch as she uncomfortably repositioned her torso in the corner. "Sometimes you sound more like my dumb sister than my best friend."

"She does that a lot!" Ian called from the bedroom again.

"Stop listening to our conversation!" Eva fired back.

Kathryn, caught between them, rubbed her temples. "You're in my room," she helpfully reminded Eva. "You're the one having this conversation right here in front of him."

"If it makes any difference," Ian's voice continued, "I think you should challenge this woman for your wife's honor! A real old-fashioned duel! With swords!"

"Can I stick a gag in his mouth?" Eva hissed in Kathryn's direction. "Please?"

One of her impeccable blond eyebrows told Eva everything she needed to hear. Yet it didn't stop Kathryn from also saying, "He might have a point. You're going to have to confront Lacey about this for yourself. Maybe take care of that unfinished business between you two."

"I think you guys want this to end with me and Lacey in bed, Nadia none the wiser."

"Or she's watching!" Ian yelled.

"Or you're all in it together," Kathryn said.

"Yeah, and how many threesomes have you guys been in again?" Eva grunted. "Don't answer that. I don't wanna know."

"Waaay less than you might think."

"Pandemic was rough for fun with other people!"

Eva leaped up from the couch. This time, when Kathryn's purse fell to the carpet, it stayed there.