CHAPTER NINETY–EIGHT–WILI Love Be Enough This Time?
As Laura and Ryan stepped into the high–end boutique, the cool air–conditioning was a welcome respite from the Vegas heat. The store was a treasure trove of designer labels and glittering accessories, promising the perfect outfits for their impromptu adventure.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Laura sald, running her hand along a rack of silky dresses
Ryan grinned, looking more relaxed than he had in days. “Why not? When in Vegas, right?”
A saleswoman approached them, her smile professional and welcoming “Can I help you find anything specific today?”
Ryan glanced at Laura, then back to the saleswoman. “We’re looking for something… fabulous. A complete look for a night out in Vegas.
The saleswoman’s eyes lit up. “Absolutely. Let’s start with you, sir. What kind of style are you comfortable with?”
As Ryan was whisked away to the men’s section, Laura found herself drawn to a rack of cocktail dresses. Her fingers brushed against a red dress that seemed to shimmer under the boutique’s soft lighting
“That would look stunning on you,” the saleswoman said, returning to Laura’s side. “Would you like to try it on?”
Laura hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Why not? We’re here to have fun, right?”
In the fitting room, Laura slipped into the dress. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, the hem falling just above her knees. She stepped out, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Ryan was waiting outside, already dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look like he’d stepped off a movie set. His eyes widened as he saw Laura.
“Wow,” he breathed. “Laura, you look. Incredible.”
Laura felt a blush creep up her checks. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. Bond.”
Ryan chuckled, adjusting his tie. “You think? I feel a bit like I’m playing dress–up.”
“Trust me,” Laura said, stepping closer to straighten his collar, “you look amazing.” Their eyes met, and for a moment, the busy boutique faded away. It was just the two of them, standing close enough to feel the warmth of each other’s breath.
The saleswoman’s voice broke the spell. “How about we accessorize? Some cufflinks for you,
, sir, a
and perhaps a necklace for the lady?”
They spent the next hour trying on various accessories, shoes, and in Laura’s case, a few more dresses. The fitting room area became their personal runway, with Ryan and Laura taking turns modeling their choices for each other.
“What do you think about this one?” Laura asked, twirling in a slinky black number.
Ryan leaned against the wall, his eyes following her movement. “It’s nice, but I liked the red one better. It suits you.”
Laura smiled, pleased by his attention. “The red one it is, then. Your turn. How about this shirt instead of the white one?”
She held up a deep blue dress shirt. Ryan took it, their fingers brushing in the exchange. “I’ll give it a shot.”
As Ryan disappeared into the fitting room, Laura found herself reflecting on the surreal nature of their situation. Just days ago, she had been worried sick about Ryan, and now here they were, shopping and flirting in Vegas like they didn’t have a care in the world.
Ryan emerged in the blue shirt, paired with the black suit. Laura’s breath caught in her throat. “Oh, definitely that one,” she said, her voice a bit huskier than she intended.
Ryan smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Yeah? Not too much?”
Laura shook her head, stepping closer to adjust his tie. “Not at all. It brings out your eyes.”
Their gazes locked again, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. Ryan’s hand came up to cover hers where it rested on
his chest
“Laura,” he said softly, “I just want to say… thank you. For all of this. For being here.”
Laura smiled, squeezing his hand. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The i
was interrupted by the saleswoman
returning with a selection of shoes. They spent another half hour completing their outfits, the playful atmosphere returning as they debated the merits of different styles.
you sure about those heels?” Ryan asked as Laura strutted around in a pair of sky–high stilettos. “They look great, but can you
CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT–Will Love Be Enough This Time?
dance in them?”
Laura laughed, doing a little twirl. “Watch me.”
As they made their way to the checkout, arms laden with bags, Ryan leaned in close to Laura’s ear. “You know, I think this is the most fun I’ve had in… I can’t even remember how long”
Laura bumped his shoulder playfully. “Well, we’re just getting started. Vegas won’t know what hit it.”
They left the boutique, stepping back into the bright Vegas sun, both feeling transformed and ready for whatever the night might bring. As they entered the casino floor, the cacophony of slot machines and excited chatter washed over them. Laura felt a thrill of excitement run through her, amplified by the warmth of Ryan’s hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the crowd. “So, where do we start?” Laura asked, her eyes wide as she took in the dazzling array of games.
Ryan grinned, looking more relaxed and happy than she’d seen him in days. “How about we start with something easy? Blackjack’s always a good bet for beginners.”
They made their way to a blackjack table with a few open spots. Ryan pulled out a chair for Laura, then took the seat next to her.
our cards
Alright, so the basics are pretty simple,” Ryan began, leaning in close to be heard over the casino noise. “The goal is to get your to add up to zi, or as close as you can without going over. Face cards are worth 10, aces can be 1 or 11, and the rest are their face value.”
Laura nodded, trying to focus on the rules and not on how good Ryan smelled or how his breath tickled her ear as he spoke.
The dealer dealt the cards, and Laura looked at her hand: a 7 and a 9.
“Okay, so you’ve got 16,” Ryan said. “What do you want to do? You can hit for another card, or stay with what you have.”
Laura bit her lip, considering. “Um… hit me?”
The dealer slid another card her way. A 3.
“19! Nice job,” Ryan said, giving her a high five. “Now let’s see what the dealer has.”
As the hand played out, Laura found herself getting caught up in the excitement. She won her first hand, and the rush was exhilarating. “I can see why people get addicted to this,” she laughed, stacking her chips.
