“I guess you’re right. It’s a good thing we go home in a couple of days. I can’t believe how quickly the week is flying by.” Anise smiled but it faded when she glanced at Dana. “What do you think? You’re awfully quiet this morning.”
“That’s because this is her second walk of shame this week.” Jessica laughed.
Dana slid her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. “The only thing I’m ashamed of is having one too many drinks. It was a good thing Alex was around to help me to my room.”
“Oh, right,” Anise drawled. “Alex, your savior.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do I have to spell it out?”
“Look, like it or not, he did help me when I was sick.” Dana stiffened. “I just don’t like the fact I put him in that position.”
Anise put her hands on her hips. “Which position was that? The one where he put a drunken woman in bed without telling her family first?”
“Anise, you’re not being fair.”
“I’m being sensible. What were you thinking? Alex could have done anything to you in that room. For all I know, he put something in your drink.”
“He didn’t. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Um, excuse me,” Anise argued. “But how would you know? You know nothing about the man.”
“What do you have against him anyway? He’s been good to us.”
“And now we know why.” Anise waved her hand in the direction of Dana’s body. “He wants a piece of this.”
“Just give it a rest, would you?”
“Someone around here needs to keep a clear head. I always thought you were that person but I guess my turn has come.”
“A clear head, I don’t mind,” said Dana, “but I could do without the lectures. We’re in Las Vegas, for God’s sake. At any given time, there are over a hundred people in the general vicinity who are drunker than I was last night.”
“I just think Tommy would be extremely worried if he knew you’d put yourself in that position,” continued Anise. “What are you going to tell him?Areyou going to tell him?”
“Why should I?”
“He’s your fiancé! He’d be out of his mind if he knew. I never should have left you alone in that private room.”
Dana sighed. “Anise, give it up. I promise you, Tommy isn’t concerned about me at all.”
He had texted her another three times before breakfast but no one needed to know that. Three more cryptic messages about needing to talk to her as soon as possible.
“Well, I just think if roles were reversed,” said Anise, her voice cracking, “and you were sitting at home, you’d want to know you could trust him.”
Since when was her sister so concerned about Tommy anyway? They’d always gotten along but Anise had never been the sort to leap to his defense in any matter.
The sudden shift in loyalty stuck in Dana’s craw.
“Uh, guys.” Bea put a hand on both their shoulders. “We’re supposed to be having fun.”
“And people are watching.” Jessica waved at a couple of women who’d stopped to observe the argument. “Thank you, ladies. Next show is at seven. We’ll pop some popcorn. Bring your friends.”
The spectators walked away.
Anise scratched the side of her nose, a nervous habit she’d had since she was a kid. She reached for Dana’s hand. “I’m sorry. My older sister side got out of hand.”
“No kidding. I’m usually the one lecturing you.”
