Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“So, when do we find out about whatever you and your husband are planning for tonight?”
Charlie’s eyes went wide, in an attempt to look innocent. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. If something was in the works though, it would be a fun surprise. Nothing to do with Greco, who’s still in the wind.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think it had anything to do with him.” As Jack and I headed for the stairs, I said, “We’re going to go get cleaned up, and we’ll be ready in about half an hour. How are we getting to the restaurant?”
“Nana arranged transportation,” Charlie said, with an amused expression. “I’m sure it’ll be super understated and tasteful.”
Nope.
Nana had, in fact, booked the longest, gaudiest stretch limo she could find. Since this was Vegas, that meant it was the longest, gaudiest stretch limo in existence. The thing was Barbie pink, glittery, and about a block long, with gold rims and pink running lights. In the very back was a hot tub, which was running at full bubble and lit up in bright turquoise.
The driver holding the door for us was a tall, slender guy with bleached white-blond hair. He was dressed in a hot pink chauffeur’s uniform, which was form-fitting and included shorts instead of pants, along with matching high heels. He looked familiar, so I paused in front of him and asked, “Pete?”
Color rose in his cheeks as he said, “Hiya, Reno. How’s your brother?” He and Romy had been friends in high school, but they’d drifted apart over the years.
“He’s doing great,” I said. “How’ve you been?”
“I’m okay. This gig is only temporary,” he quickly added. “I was working as a go-go dancer, but the club got shut down. I thought this would be a step up, but boy was I wrong. Turns out bachelorettes are terrifying. They’re like a pack of drunk, horny wolves in miniskirts.” That was a mental picture I could have done without, but I nodded sympathetically before introducing Jack and Charlie.
He asked if I’d give Romy his number, and while he was writing it on the back of a business card, I told him, “Just FYI, I’m not the person who booked this limo.” It probably seemed odd that three men in suits were choosing to get around in a giant party-mobile.
He smiled at me as he handed over the card and said, “I know. I’ve been driving Nana and her husband around all afternoon. She told me to call her that, by the way. She’s a trip. When she found out I was gay, I think she wanted to adopt me.”
Charlie nodded and said, “Yup, she does that.”
Once we were settled into the black and hot pink interior and headed toward the Strip, Jack took my hand and said, “I know this is tacky. I do. But it’s my first time in a limo, and it’s actually pretty amazing.”
“It’s my first time, too,” I told him. “Why don’t you see what those buttons do?”
He got some music playing with the control panel beside him, and once he managed to open the sun roof, we both looked at each other and grinned. Then we stood up so we were sticking out of the roof, and he laughed delightedly. I loved seeing the pure joy on his face. It made me think I’d do anything to keep him happy.
Charlie stood up a few moments later and brushed his short brown hair back as the wind whipped it around. “I feel like we’re on our way to prom,” he said with a grin.
It was a fairly short ride, and we spent all of it standing. Dante was waiting out front when the limo arrived at our destination, and he chuckled and snapped a picture of the three of us with his phone.
Our reservation was at a new, celebrity chef-owned restaurant inside a massive hotel and casino. Like the limo, it had been Nana’s idea. It was a wonder that they’d managed a reservation on only a few days’ notice, but then the Dombrusos had a lot of connections.
As we cut across the glitzy, golden lobby, Dante said, “Let’s go upstairs for a few minutes. I booked us a suite so we’d have a quiet place to talk. The restaurant and its bar are so crowded and noisy that you can barely hear yourself think.” Then he sent a text as we rode the elevator to the top floor.
We found Vincent waiting for us in the hallway. “Good to see you again,” I said, as we shook hands. That felt a little formal, but he didn’t really strike me as the hugging type.
He led us into the opulent penthouse suite, where we were joined by a slender brunet. Vincent looked at the man lovingly and said, “Adriano and Jack, I’d like you to meet my husband, Trevor.”