What itis.
And I love that she gets it, and she’s happy for me, and she’s not asking weird questions. Scarlett is one of the most genuine girls I’ve ever met, so I don’t doubt her sentiments at all. And knowing she considers us besties is awesome. I haven’t had many friends growing up, and her enthusiasm is infectious.
But the most telling is that she’s happy that Rome is happy. That speaks volumes about the man. Rita and Max show him the utmost respect, as do his men. So I’m with Scarlett. I hope that this will be right because even though I’ve only known him for such a short time, he’s been nothing but kind and … respectful.
“Where are we?” The color scheme up here is different. Soothing, with blues and greens and glittery ceilings that look like diamonds.
“The spa,” she says with a grin as she leads me into a lobby with water features that tinkle in the air, and when I look in the pond, huge koi fish are swimming around. It’s magical. “So in addition to this whole building being Mr. Alexander’s home and the club, it’s also a full-servicehotel with apartments. There’s a west and an east wing. The west side is mostly the hotel, the restaurant, and a casino over there that Mr. St. James owns called King of Spades.”
“Who’s Mr. St. James?” I ask her.
“Carson? He’s around a lot.”
“I’ve met him,” I confirm, and she nods and keeps talking.
“We have clients from all over the world, and when they come to Vegas to play at the club, they stay here on-site. Well, most do. They don’t have to, but it’s so fancy and nice that most take advantage of it.”
I nod, enjoying the way it smells of jasmine and orange blossoms. Just being here in the lobby is relaxing. The two women behind the reception desk smile at us.
“The spa is open all the time?”
“This is Vegas,” Scarlett reminds me. “Everything is open all the time. Okay, so the floors between this one and the penthouse are all apartments. A few of the staff live here on-site, too. Like Rita, Loveland, um, some of Mr. Alexander’s security. People like that. The east side, which is connected by the coolest sky bridge in Vegas, is the hotel. You don’t have to be a member to stay there, but youdohave to be a member to come to the west side. The hotel has its own spa and workout center over there.”
“Interesting,” I murmur.
“Plus, as part of our membership package, we can take advantage of the spa and the gym, which I’ll also show you. We get a killer discount on services. Youhaveto get a massage from Kathy. You’ll never be the same. And we have some of the best aestheticians in the country. My skin doesn’t glow like this all on its own. We’ll have a girl day up here soon.”
Just the thought of that excites me.
“I’ve had plenty of massages, but I’ve never been pampered with a whole girl day. I’m in.”
Twenty-Two
ROME
“I’ve never been pampered with a whole girl day. I’m in.”
My firefly’s face lights up, and I rub my hand over my chest as I lean forward, taking everything in. I’ve been listening since they left the bar, following them through all of the camera feeds from the comfort of my own office.
I don’t mind that she confided in Scarlett. I want her to make friends, and based on Scarlett’s reaction, I need to give the woman a raise. She’s loyal, and I reward loyalty.
I’ll arrange for a day in the spa for both of them.
“Do you like to work out?” Scarlett asks Eloise as they walk back to the elevator.
“Definework out,” Eloise replies with a smirk. “Because not really. I mean, I’m on my feet a lot, and I like it. But no, I’ve never been to a gym. I wasn’t allowed to.”
Scarlett frowns at her as she presses the button in the elevator for the next floor down, and I switch cameras.
“What do you mean?” Scarlett asks.
“Well, I wasn’t allowed to leave my house much. Just for classes, and if I volunteered. Going to the gym wouldn’t have been allowed even though my father totally fat shamed me every chance he got.”
Rizzo’s going to meet a painful death.
“Dude, you’rebeautiful,” Scarlett says, and I can tell that she squeezes the arm she’s been holding. I don’t love someone else touching my firefly, but I’ll allow this. Eloise looks at ease. Not only that, but Scarlett’s telling my firefly the truth. She is beautiful. Sexy. “People suck. I didn’t know that Loveland was such a sizist.”
“Sizist?” Eloise asks.
