what about? I rest a hand gently on her side, feeling the curve of her waist under the sheet.
I had been planning to surprise Lilly today. Fact is, she isn’t just going to have the opportunity to be the head chef at Ruby Restaurant. She’s going to own the place. I struck a deal with Gerald Mayes weeks ago. Lilly will own a majority share in the place. Gerald and I will be silent partners. She has an opportunity to take over the place. Own it. Make it hers in every way possible. This was the big surprise I had planned for her when she arrived. Obviously, I hadn’t foreseen Tony’s and Bobby’s antics ruining things.
Well, I can unveil the big surprise tomorrow. I’ve already made plans with Gerald, delicately explaining why Lilly had been held up today and setting a new time for tomorrow. This almost seems serendipitous, and that’s weird because I don’t believe in luck—but I’m glad my plans have been delayed. Because now I know there’s something else I have to do.
I lean forward and gently push some hair off Lilly’s face, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. If I want things in place for tomorrow, I need to get moving. I quietly get dressed and head downstairs in my socks, not wanting to wake her with loud footsteps. As I step into the living room, the penthouse elevator doors open, as if they’ve been expecting me.
In fact, it’s just a coincidence. It’s Terry, coming up with Lilly’s bags. He grins when he sees me tiptoeing towards him in my socks, my shoes in hand. I motion to him to stay quiet. We load the suitcases into the penthouse in silence and then I slip my shoes on and step into the elevator with him.
As soon as the elevator doors close after us, I speak up.
“Sorted?”
“Yep.”
I don’t ask any further. If Terry says it’s sorted, it’s sorted. I trust him. And, from a legal standpoint, the less I know about Tony and Bobby’s ultimate fate, the better. You can’t give the law information that you don’t have. It’s an implicit understanding.
“She okay?” He nods upwards, back towards the penthouse.
“Yeah. She will be.” I kneel down to my shoelaces. “She’s sleeping. Tuckered out.”
“You still going to do this big unveiling at the restaurant tomorrow?”
“Yep.” I stand up and look him in the face. “More than that.”
“Oh?” He looks at me, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
“Terry.” I clap him on the shoulder and give him a grin. “I’m going to need your help with one more thing today.”
***
The next morning, it’s finally time for Lilly to see her restaurant. She’s so adorably nervous about meeting Gerald Mayes, I almost want to tell her the truth—that she’s really going to own the spot and can do as she pleases. But, I manage to keep a lid on it. I don’t want anything to ruin this day. Lilly even woke up before me and had been pacing around downstairs with her book in her hands. I told her I had business with Gerald and would accompany her. Technically, it’s true.
“How do I look?” She stands nervously before me in the penthouse, twisting her hands nervously. She’s wearing a dark green dress, down to the knee, and nude pumps. Very professional but with a hint of sex appeal.
“You look like an up-and-coming head chef, ready to go see her kitchen,” I smile at her as I begin putting on my cuff links.
“Oh good, that’s exactly the look I was going for.” She giggles, then steps up to me as if on autopilot to finish the job. It feels even more intimate than the first time she did it.
“Feeling better since yesterday?”
“Yes.” She nods vigorously. “I needed that night of sleep.”
“I don’t blame you. Ready?”
“Ready.”
We head downstairs, to the waiting car. We pass Terry on the way out the door, who greets Lilly with a big smile and a handshake—and gives me a surreptitious wink when she isn’t looking.
After a short drive to Casino Diamond, we make it to Ruby Restaurant. The spot is connected to the casino property but has its own street-facing entrance, luring in tourists from the strip as well as those already inside the casino. It’s the ideal arrangement for any Vegas restaurant and is poised to become a goldmine, with the right touch.
Gerald Mayes is there waiting for us. He’s wearing a dark navy suit and his silver head of hair shines slightly. His