We threw out some potential ideas and options as to what to do with Ginger, but there weren’t many to consider.
“Our hotel doesn’t allow animals of any kind except for service dogs,” Basia said, reading from the hotel website on her phone. “And it requires a one-week advance notification and official certification to allow for the review process. No emotional support animals are permitted.”
“Well, we have no other option,” Gwen said firmly. “We have to smuggle her into the penthouse.”
I stared at her, incredulous. “Smuggle her into the casino? Are you nuts? How would we do that? She’s a golden retriever, not a hamster.”
The car fell silent. I glanced up to see Basia rubbing her stomach thoughtfully before she suddenly smiled and shifted around in the front seat to look at me. I didn’t like that look. I’d seen it many, many times before, and it usually spelled trouble…especially for me.
“It could work,” she mused, eyeing me critically. “You’re tall and surprisingly strong for a geek.”
“Whoa,” I said, holding up my hands. “I’m fully aware of what a backhanded compliment is when I hear one. What could work, and how is my height even remotely relevant to this discussion?”
“Your height is essential to my brilliant plan,” she said. “We’re going to wrap Ginger around you like a baby and throw my poncho over the top of you two. You’ll pretend to be pregnant like me.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “What? You expect me to go from zero to nine months pregnant in one day? How is that rational, or safe, for that matter?”
“Who’s going to remember whether you were pregnant or not?” Basia said. “We’re not headed for the casino floor.”
“I’ll remember,” I protested. “The casino has security. Besides, there’s no way wearing a dog will make me look pregnant. I’ll look ridiculous.”
Basia inspected her fingernails before staring at me sweetly. “Lexi, you’re my best friend, but you’re going to have to trust me on this. No man in his right mind is going to comment on a woman’s form, especially if they aren’t sure she’s pregnant or not.”
“She’s got a point,” Gwen interjected.
I folded my arms across my chest, frowning. “What if it’s a woman security guard?”
“There’s an unspoken woman code,” Basia said. “Unless you’re absolutely sure a woman is pregnant, there is no commenting on her body whatsoever. And even then, one must proceed cautiously.”
I had to think about that because I hadn’t heard of that exact code before, but I conceded Basia was far more knowledgeable than me in this area.
“Is that true?” I finally asked Gwen.
“It’s true,” she replied, and Gray agreed by holding a thumbs-up from the front seat.
“So, it’s settled then,” Basia said. “Lexi is sneaking the dog in.”
“No. It’s not settled. I’m not faking a pregnancy to sneak a dog into a casino. Why can’t someone else do it?”
“Because you’re the tallest of the three of us,” Basia explained patiently. “Ginger is a full-size golden retriever, not a puppy. On your frame, Ginger can be bundled higher and better supported, without her legs dangling or shifting. Obviously, it can’t be me because I’m already seven and half months pregnant. Gwen is too short and slim to carry Ginger effectively, and Ginger would hang too low on her. Gray is the only other rational choice. She’s athletic, but shorter than you and narrower through the shoulders. She’d provide less coverage for Ginger. But all that aside, the most important factor is that Ginger is attached to you the most. We have the best chance of making this work if you’re the one carrying her, Lexi. You may be the hacking and cards expert, but if we’re talking fashion, or dressing to hide flaws—or a dog—I’m your girl.”
“But you know my history with animals,” I protested. “Even if it seems like she likes me now, if you put a poncho over her head and she freaks out, the whole thing will be a disaster. It’s a risk we shouldn’t take. Given my history, it would take an act of God for it not to be a catastrophe.”
“Listen to me, Lexi. You’re the best chance we have of getting her inside safely,” Basia said quietly. “We don’t have another choice except to release her in the city and let her fend for herself. Unless you have a better idea.”
My mouth snapped shut as I looked down at Ginger, who was sleeping peacefully, her head in my lap.
Gray finally sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s not the worse idea we’ve ever had. Basia is right. If we want the best odds for this to work, you’re it, Lexi.”
I wanted to protest, to put my foot down. But I’d already reviewed Basia’s argument and she was right. Technically, I didn’t think this plan would work. The odds were definitely stacked against us. But if we were going to try, and if we wanted the best odds, it was the most logical for me to carry the dog. Not because I wanted to do it—God knew I didn’t—but because I was the best choice to make it work.
I was tall enough to carry her, and my awkwardness might be enough to make a supposed pregnancy look believable. I’d be so uncomfortable that hopefully no one would question me unless they recognized me from the casino and put the pieces together. So long as we didn’t head to the casino floor, I had to admit there was a low probability anyone would stop me from entering the elevator and going up to our room.
But the deciding factor was that Ginger did seem to genuinely like me, which mystified me. “Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll carry the dog.”
Basia smiled. “Excellent. It’ll work. Trust me.”
I did trust Basia even if I didn’t fully trust her plan. It felt like sheer lunacy. But it was just one time and one night. I could do it.
