He freezes slightly as he sets me back down, his eyes dropping to where my hands instinctively rest over my stomach.
“Wow,” he exhales. “You really came back with a bang.”
“Something like that,” I say with a small shrug.
“And I’m guessing,” he adds, already moving behind the bar, “this is a four a.m. hot chocolate emergency?”
I nod. “The only kind.”
He chuckles, grabbing a mug and getting to work.
“Oh crap,” I mutter, patting my dressing gown pockets. “I don’t have one of those card things.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says without even looking up. “It’s on the house.”
He places the mug in front of me, and the smell alone makes my stomach rumble. “God, I’ve missed this,” I murmur, wrapping my hands around the warmth.
Joel leans on the counter, watching me. “So, where the hell have you been? Holly went mad trying to get hold of you.”
I hesitate for a second then shrug. “My aunt had me sectioned.” I’m not ashamed.
His eyes widen. “Jesus, Wynter.”
“She’s dramatic,” I add quickly. “I’m fine now. Well . . . better.”
He doesn’t look entirely convinced. “Was it because of him?” he asks, lowering his voice.
I shake my head, staring into my drink. “Not really. It didn’t help, but there was other stuff going on.”
He studies me for a moment then nods slowly. “He was seeing someone,” Joel says carefully. “Whilst you were gone.” My stomach twists. I should tell him to stop, that it’s none of my business. “But Holly said the second your aunt came back here and tore strips off him, he ended it.”
I let out a small breath, trying to keep my expression neutral. “He shouldn’t have,” I say quietly. “We’re done. Whatever this is now, it’s not that.”
Joel raises a brow and nods towards my stomach. “Not exactly done, though, is it?”
I glance down, my hand drifting over the small bump. “No,” I admit, “I guess not.” Silence lingers for a moment before I straighten slightly. “But I’m not staying,” I add. “Not like before.I just need a bit of time to get myself sorted, and then I’ll find my own place.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
I nod, letting myself picture it. “Somewhere quiet. Not here. Maybe a village. I want a garden, a little cottage. Somewhere that feels safe.”
He smiles faintly. “That sounds more like you.”
“Exactly,” I say. “Not all this.” I gesture vaguely around the casino, taking in the noise, the lights, the life that never really sleeps.
Joel lets out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Christ, how did you end up here, Wynter?”
I take a sip of my drink, letting the warmth settle in my chest. “Bad timing,” I say, “and shit decisions.” I pause then add, softer, “or maybe just life.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
RAY
I watch Wynter from the comfort of my office.
The CCTV feed flickers slightly as I zoom in, adjusting the angle until she fills the screen. She’s leaning over the bar, her hair falling forward as she shows Joel something on her phone. He laughs, leaning in closer, and something tight and ugly twists in my chest.
I don’t sleep much anymore. Not since Anika left this world. A couple hours here and there, if I’m lucky. The rest of the time I spend here, working, watching, keeping everything moving. It’s easier at night. Quieter. There’s time to think, without all the other interruptions that daytime brings.
