be back in the game, mentally.” Terry grins. “That Chicago move was a stroke of genius. Going directly to Mickey, the head guy.”
I bounce my brow. “I was lucky to have the contact through AC.” I know Terry’s not trying to guilt me but I’m kicking myself. I think back over the last months, the various moments when I slipped. Late to a meeting here or there. Not doing my usual rounds of the casino floors. I’d been in a funk after Lilly left. There was no way around it. Unfortunately, judging from the whispered comments that Terry’s alluded to, it seems that others noticed too. “Thanks for picking up the slack.” I raise my glass to Terry and he smiles gently, reciprocating.
“I owed you one anyway,” he says. “You took a chance hiring me even when my resume was pretty light at the time.”
“And look at you now.” I grin. Terry is renowned as being one of the best managers in the business. Other casino-owners have tried to buy him away but he’s always been loyal. “I know people here can smell weakness.” I gesture to the casino. “I appreciate you having my back.”
“Always. You know what happens when people think you can’t protect what’s yours… That’s why I mentioned those Chicago guys first thing.”
I nod.
He drains his glass and stands. “That said, what I told you the night that Miss Madison left still holds true. You miss her, don’t you? Everything seemed to change after she left. It hasn’t been the same since. You…haven’t been the same since.”
“Maybe,” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets as I lean back and look at him.
“I’m just saying. You deserve to be happy, too. Maybe it’s time,” he pauses and huffs, like he’s about to drop a bomb on me. “You won, David. Maybe it’s time to leave history in the history books and write your own chapter for once…not just be a result of a story some old, dead gamblers started for you.”
I shoot him a go fuck yourself look but Terry just shakes his head at me and shrugs. And with that, he’s off. As I watch him go, I have to admit—that’s food for thought.
After trying to occupy my mind with business all day, in this moment I can’t help but let my thoughts drift to Lilly. What’s she doing right now? I know that Deanna successfully completed rehab and returned to Parkville. On the night she called me, telling me she wanted to go to rehab, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t delay getting her into a facility.
Terry personally handled the logistics. I never actually saw Deanna personally. I didn’t want to see her face—a mirror image of Lilly’s. Terry reported back favorably after he escorted her from the facility to the plane taking her to Parkville. He said she looked better and seemed calmer, more serious.
Assuming Deanna has stuck to her sobriety—which, you can never know…because many people backslide—Lilly is free. She’ll no longer be hampered by worries about her twin. I smile at the thought. She might even be ready for a new challenge, one beyond the limits of her hometown.
I spy Jacques walking by me and an idea begins to take shape. I remember how Lilly spent a couple days commandeering a corner of his kitchen while she was here. He had seemed impressed with her skills. He’d even mentioned to me that he’s read through her book of recipes and found them good.
“Jacques!”
“Yes, Mr. Miln-air?” He approaches immediately. “More wine?”
“No, thank you. But a question for you.”
“Yes?” He looks at me expectantly.
“You’re tuned into the restaurant scene here.”
He nods solemnly.
“Are any of the big names hiring right now? Head chef positions?”
“You are in need of a job?” He winks. “I thought running the casinos was job enough!” He chuckles at his own joke.
“Well, not me. Someone I know.”
“Hmm.” He strokes his chin. “I can think of a few. Ruby Restaurant, I believe,” he gurgles the r’s in that French way, “also Dominica’s. There are surely more. Vegas has so many establishments, and there is always turnover and a high demand for talent.”
“Could you do some research and send me a list, please?”
“Of course, Mr. Miln-air. You will have it tomorrow!”
He bows low in front of me and then walks away, leaving me to sit alone again. The lights are being dimmed around me as the restaurant prepares to shut down. I drum my fingers on the tabletop, suddenly feeling a strange charge