“Only the older machines pay out in cash,” Zack explained. “You can cash that in later.”
“Oh, okay.” She slipped the coupon into her purse and glanced around.
“Are you game to try something else?” Zack asked.
“Maybe later. Right now, I think I’d like something to eat. Is there a restaurant in here?”
“This way.” Curious to see if his touch elicited the same reaction as the night before, he took her hand in his. An odd look passed over her face, but she didn’t pull away this time. Pleased, he led her out of the casino and down a long, carpeted hallway. Kaitlyn glanced at the shops that lined both sides of the corridor—gift shop, flower shop, hair salon. But it was the sexy black pants and top in the window of the dress shop next to the hair salon that caught her eye. She’d never worn anything like that in her whole life.
The restaurant was at the end of the corridor. Kaitlyn glanced around. The room was rectangular-shaped, with an open beam ceiling and parquet floors. Booths lined three of the walls; tables covered with deep green cloths were arranged in the center of the floor. The lighting was subdued; soft music filtered through the sound system.
They were seated immediately, but that was no surprise. After all, it was bad form to keep the boss waiting.
“Good evening, Mr. Ravenscroft,” a waitress said, offering Kaitlyn a menu. “Your usual?”
“That’ll be fine, Annie.”
“I’ll be right back,” she said, smiling.
“So,” Kaitlyn said, opening the menu, “what’s good here?”
“Everything,” Zack replied with a grin. “We’ve got the best chef in the state. I’m told the lobster is excellent.”
“You’re told?” Her eyebrows went up in surprise. “Haven’t you ever tried it?”
“No. I’m . . . allergic to seafood.”
The waitress returned bearing a glass of dark red wine, which she placed on a coaster in front of Zack before turning her attention to Kaitlyn. “Do you need more time?”
“No. I’ll have the lobster.”
“Soup or salad?”
“Salad, with ranch.”
“And to drink?”
“Just water, no lemon.” Kaitlyn looked at Zack. “Aren’t you having anything?”
“No. I dined earlier.”
After jotting Kaitlyn’s order down on her pad, the waitress picked up the menu and turned to go, but not before bestowing a dazzling smile on Zack.
“She seems quite smitten with you,” Kaitlyn remarked as the waitress moved to the next table.
“Annie? Yeah, she’s a good kid.” He draped one arm along the back of the booth. “So, are you a working girl?”
“Not yet. I just graduated from college.”
He grunted softly.
“I majored in Comparative Folklore.”
“How’s that workin’ out for ya?” he asked, grinning.
“Not very well, actually,” she admitted, her grin matching his. “Believe it or not, there isn’t a lot of interest in ancient folklore these days, but”—she shrugged—“I receive a substantial allowance from my father.”
Zack nodded. “Must be nice.” He barely remembered his own father.