“Now I know you’re lying, but thank you anyway, I appreciate it.” She stepped off the bottom step and rounded us. Roman turned and kissed her, then carried onto the kitchen.
‘So, what’s this about. What’re we planning for?”I asked.
“The casino opening, moron.” Nikki interjected.
“Thanks.” I forced a tight grin and my eyes rolled pretty much up into my head. I didn’t say anything else though, I couldn’t be fucking arsed with a slanging match this morning, which was very unlike me. “I need coffee before I have to deal with you.”
“Pfft, there’s not enough coffee or alcohol in the world to deal with you.”My eyes rolled but I didn’t come back.
“Now, now children. Let’s have a civilised discussion. I might have to put you both in timeout.” Roman moved between us, glanced at us both, and acted as referee.
I needed fucking coffee. The one cup I’d had at home wasn’t anywhere near enough for me to function, or deal with her shit. Or deal with anything it seemed. As the front door knocked, my stomach flipped. What the fuck is that about? I knew it was Karen because she was the only one not here. I swallowed downwhatever was going on with me and turned back to the door and waited.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Nikki greeted Karen as she opened the door. The trip into the kitchen was put on hold for just a minute as I turned around and gazed at her. She had on leggings and a Yankee’s hoody. I had to hide the smirk as I remembered our conversation from earlier. She was fucking stunning, in a way that she didn’t even have to try. She looked damn fucking good in my hoody this morning, her face clear of makeup and her hair swept away from her fair skin.
“Gav. How are you?” Her polite tone had me smiling, I noticed a glint in her eye. A spark that I missed when I’d dropped her home.
“I need coffee.” I mumbled and spun away from them.
“Ignore him, he’s always a grumpy fucker on a morning.” I heard Nikki pipe up from behind. I lifted my middle finger above my head. “See what I mean. He probably didn’t get any last night.” I sighed heavily and paused, still my hand was in the air, how the hell was I supposed to answer that when Karen was stood right there? “You’ll learn Gavin is a man of very few words.”
“Yeah, I much prefer actions.” I added as I made it to the coffee pot ready to take in all this bullshit. I stood at one side and Karen stood directly opposite, and just to make me feel even more awkward, Nikki stood next to me.
Why I got myself into these predicaments, God only knew.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Karen
As I said good morning to the others, Paisley came over, a sweet smile adorning her pretty face but I saw how tired she looked. “Hey,” She was pale too. I smiled a little back at her. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, thank you,” her hand moved to her perfect, rounded baby bump and stroked it lovingly. “This one kept me awake most of the night though, he thinks it’s funny to use my bladder as a punchbag and my rib cage as a goal post.” She grinned tightly as she rubbed. “I must’ve got up ten times to pee through the night. And…” she took in a breath, “look at my ankles, this heat is bloody killing me.” Her foot kicked out in front of her from the stool she was perched on, my eyes widened at how rounded and puffy her ankles were. “And how the bloody hell are you wearing a hoodie?” She fanned her face, “You’re making me hot just looking at you.”
“Are you sure you’re alright? You look flushed.” I looked down at myself as I sat on a stool next to her. “I mean, I don’t think it’s that warm. And I get cold all the time.”
She scoffed, “Look at my hands. What’s wrong with me? Her fingers were also puffy, and her rings looked like they were embedding into her skin.
“Paisley, you need to take your rings off. That’s not right.”
“I can’t take them off, I’ll feel weird.” Roman came over and stood on the other side of her, I leaned forward and looked around her.
“Roman, tell her she needs to take her rings off, look at her fingers.”
She held them out in front of her for him to see. “Jesus! Take them off.” As a frown settled over her eyes, a pout pushed out her lips. “Don’t sulk. It’s for your own good,” he said as his hand snakedaround the back of her head, bringing her forehead to his lips to kiss her. They were so damn sweet, it made me smile so much. I was such a romantic at heart. “Babe, you’re thirty weeks in a couple of days, you can put them back on when he decides to come out of there. It’s not much longer now.” He soothed sweetly.
As her head rested on his shoulder, he moved his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. “I know. I’ll take them off when this is over.” A pointed look was shot between us as she moved her head from side to side. I gave her my answer in a smile, and Roman looked more than pleased with himself.
“Good enough for me, sweetheart.” Roman brought her closer and held her as Nikki called out to everyone.
My gaze lifted at Gav opposite me, right in my eyeline just to torture me a little bit more. But it did give me the advantage to eye him up secretly. His cup was clasped tightly between his fingers, with his head dipped down, like he didn’t want to be here, or at the least, not interested in what was being said. Nikki stood next to him with Rhys flanking the other side of her. I’d soon noticed that Rhys was always where Nikki was. I’d alwaysthought it, but last night it was more obvious. I wanted Gav to look up, I hoped he would catch my eye, but he never did.
It was weird this morning, I couldn’t get a read on him. He’d locked his emotions away. He was so different from the Gav I had a coffee date with at the park, and much different from the one last night. But was this the real him? Grumpy and sullen? I wanted so much to go over there and stand next to him, just to inhale his scent if nothing else. Oh man, did I have it bad or what? And the worst of it all was, I didn’t feel like I could talk to anyone about my amazing night last night.
Nikki went on about security for Roman, and of course Paisley, being his wife and heavily pregnant, too. They needed to be on high alert, people can get crazy.
All the time Nikki was talking, my gaze wandered to Gav. I tried to keep it discreet but then I wasn’t sure how discreet I was being. I can’t say I didn’t care, because I did. I didn’t want to walk away from my job with Roman because I loved it, and relationships always get in the way. To be honest, I think I put paid to that last night. If I had to walk away now it would break me… no one could fall that quickly, surely.That’s all that stayed in my mind as Nikki droned on about how things would happen.
“So, the opening is at six p.m.” Nikki’s voice echoed around the large kitchen, it made my eyes spring back to her, instead of undressing Gav mentally. “Roman will cut the tape and then it’ll be official photos with the owner and whoever else he wants in them. Then we’ll be taken on a tour of the casino and eventually through to the VIP area, where we’ll be able to hang loose and enjoy the rest of the evening, have drinks. Of course, while we’re there you need to be on high alert. Mr Stone, the owner, has his own security for the place too, so it won’t be light on the ground, but please always be professional.” Nikki’s gaze slid across to Gav, even if everyone else missed it, I certainly didn’t. His top lip curled as he pointed a pissed look her way, then went backto dipping his head and folded his arms across his chest. “Any bets that are made are to be picked up by yourselves.” Again, a sly roll of the eyes Gav’s way, made my inquisitiveness prick up. I wanted this meeting over with now. But the question was, did I question her actions or not.
