"Good.I'll wait."
In a few minutes, another blackjack dealer comes up, and Rebecca finishes the hand she has dealt and pays the winners out, thanks them for playing with her, and walks over to me.
"I have fifteen minutes.Let me show you the room."
"Sure."
As we walk back to the Gentleman's Lounge, Alfred gives me another update, and I have to take a call from Mia.
Alfred here.Your requested update is ready.
Go ahead.
Siri is currently located at Lioness Towers.
"Moore speaking.Yeah, Mia.Go ahead.No.Angelo is needed here.No.I need you there for now.Soon.Is this why you called?Ok.What did they counteroffer?No.That's unacceptable.Stick to our guns.That's right.I'd rather lose the negotiation than make a bad deal.Out here."
Rebecca takes me past the podium for reservations and through the gate in the railing to the secret door of the club hidden in the wall.She swipes her access card, and we step into the hallway.Beverly is listening to an unusual voice I recognize as Cat's from her FaceTime with Siri before we left for Italy.It's a unique huskiness, and I suspect she has worked on making it sound like a purring kitten.It is a very sexy sound.
Rebecca excuses us and walks by them, but I wait.There is no way I cannot speak to the infamous Cat, Siri's mentor and best friend.Beverly recognizes me and says, "Aurei Moore!We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."
Cat turns her exquisite yellow eyes on me."Well, I'll be damned!It's nice to meet you."She holds out her hand.
I shake it."Likewise, Cat.I've heard so much about you.Beverly, good to see you again.Rebecca was taking me to the room she decorated for my date night with Siri."
"Oh," Beverly says."She doesn't know."
"No.I haven't told her yet."Then I turn to her."Rebecca, it turns out that Siri and I live in the same hometown, and I ran into her there."
Her mouth drops."No way!"
I laugh."She walked across the parking lot, and I looked just like you do right now."
Everyone laughs."I actually moved into an apartment on the same floor with her.Where I wooed her and was lucky enough to win her on my own merit."
Rebecca's mouth is still hanging open.
"And while I appreciate what you did decorating the room for my return and my allotted appointment with the diva, I won't be needing it.However, I would like to use it for my buddy, Steve, and his girl, Gaby.Post-bachelor party night."
"Well, I'll be damned!"She utters."Sure.Of course!"She looks at Beverly."We'll need to move the couches back in."
"You got it," Beverly says to us both.
She shakes off her shock and heads back to the exit door.She pats my arm as she walks by and says."Excuse me.I'll go on back to my table and try to absorb all this."She giggles as she opens the door."Wow!"
Cat asks, "So where is my million-dollar girl?I need some happy hugs."
I blink hard, then frown."Didn't you see her this afternoon before work?She was going to surprise you at your condo."
"No.She didn't stop by."
My gut tightens, and my frown deepens.
Cat notices my expression, and her eyes narrow."What time would she have shown?"
"Around 2."I pull my phone out and text.
Siri, where are you?
