He startles, standing so quickly the tray wobbles dangerously in his hands.
“Wynter.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, glancing at the uniform.
He gives me a tight smile. “Extra shifts. Events like this pay well.” He lifts the tray slightly. “All money in the bank.”
“Oh,” I nod slowly, “right.”
Something feels off. Joel is always relaxed. Easy-going. This version of him seems tense and on edge. He mutters a quick excuse and moves away before I can question it further.
When I return to the table, he’s there again, handing out drinks. I notice Ray nod to him. It’s a small, almost unnoticeable acknowledgement, which Joel catches and returns just as subtly.
He doesn’t hang around, taking his empty tray and heading off to the next table to collect glasses.
“Weird,” I mutter, sliding into my seat.
Ray glances at me. “What is?”
“Joel’s working here.”
“Why is that weird?”
“He works for you. At the casino.”
Ray shrugs, unconcerned. “That doesn’t mean he can’t pick up other work. As long as it doesn’t interfere with his job.”
“Maybe,” I say, still frowning. “He just seemed . . . off. Not like himself.”
Ray’s gaze sharpens slightly. “You know him well, do you?”
I glance at him. “Well enough to notice something’s wrong.”
“And you went over to speak to him?” he asks.
There’s an edge to his tone and a glint in his eye.
I nod. “Yeah. I thought I was imagining things.”
Ray leans in, his mouth brushing my ear. “Careful,” he murmurs. A shiver runs down my spine. “Keep talking baby, it’s only poking my jealousy.”
I grin. “Come on, now you’re jealous I spoke to a guy?”
He nods, his eyes serious. He runs his finger over my knee, causing the split in the dress to expose the skin there.
“Maybe I should remind you how I get when I’m jealous?” My stomach does the flip flop thing it always does when he talks like this. “Maybe that tight little backside of yours needs reminding.”
I suppress my smirk, leaning in just enough for my lips to brush his ear. “Maybe I should go talk to him again, then,” I whisper.
Ray’s grip tightens on my knee instantly.
Before he can respond, Joel reappears at the table, collecting the empty glasses. I flash him a bright, innocent smile as he passes, and beside me, Ray’s fingers press a little harder into my skin in warning.
I bite back a laugh, sitting back in my chair innocently like I’ve done nothing wrong.
Around us, the room has shifted now that dinner is over. Guests drift between tables, laughter rising over the soft music as conversations blur into one another.
Vinn and Sofia have already disappeared into the crowd, working the room with ease.
