won’t leave her, even for one night. Henn is running off to hold his sick baby, even though his wife is already there. Cory stayed home because his wife’s sister is about to have twins. Jake is standing over there, showing everyone a video of his baby’s first fucking steps. And you just now turned down a smoking hot actress with the most perfect tits I’ve ever seen because you have a girlfriend waiting for you at home? Seriously now, am I the only one whose balls are still attached to his body?”
“Fuck you,” I mutter. “You were always trash in college, and now you’ve grown up to be a Peter Pan asshole motherfucker. I never liked you, Alonso. Not even in college. Not even when I was high on blow. So, why am I here? Why am I hosting this birthday party for you?”
Alonso laughs heartily, apparently thinking I’m joking. But I’m not. Why am I wasting my precious time on this planet doing anything I don’t want to do? More to the point, why am I doing anything that takes me away from Georgina?
“I’m going outside to wait for Henn’s limo,” I toss out, and then stride toward the front door without waiting for Alonso’s reply.
Outside in the warm Las Vegas night, I bum a cigarette off the security guy out front, even though I don’t smoke. Just as I’m stubbing the cigarette out, Henn’s limo comes. Two minutes after that, Henn appears with his suitcase, looking frayed. I give my sweet best friend a bear hug and tell him to keep me posted. And then, I send Henn off into the night, on his white horse.
Deciding I’d rather have FaceTime sex with Georgina in my room than return to the excruciating birthday party, I begin crossing the street toward my hotel. But just as I’m heading into the lobby, my phone buzzes with a text from CeeCee that stops me dead in my tracks.
CeeCee: I saw on Instagram you’re in Vegas. Francois and I are here, too, for his friend’s birthday dinner tomorrow night. Let me know if you have time for a drink.
Me: I have time right now, as a matter of fact.
CeeCee: Perfect timing! We just got back to our room. Bellagio. Penthouse 8. See you soon, darling!
Chapter 28
Reed
Not surprisingly, given that CeeCee’s husband is a multi-billionaire, CeeCee’s penthouse at the Bellagio is the biggest, most luxurious hotel suite I’ve ever beheld. Which is saying a lot, considering how much I like to treat myself to the finer things in life.
At first, CeeCee, Francois, and I chat as a threesome while gazing at the neon view of The Strip below. But, after a while, Francois heads downstairs to meet some friends in the casino, leaving CeeCee and me to booze it up as a dynamic duo.
“Okay, darling,” CeeCee says when her husband is gone. “Tell me what’s going on with you. You’re not yourself tonight.”
“Yeah, I’ve got some blood in my boozestream.”
She laughs. “No, I’ve seen you drunk, plenty of times. There’s something bothering you. What’s wrong?”
I sigh. “I can’t stand being away from Georgina. She’s my disease and there’s no cure. I’m lovesick.”
CeeCee pats my arm. “What a glorious reason to be miserable.”
“How the hell do you and Francois live on different continents? Are you not in love with him? I won’t tell, if you’re not. Just tell me the truth.”
She bats my shoulder. “Don’t insult me. Of course, I’m in love with my darling Francois! I hate being away from him, every bit as much as you hate being away from Georgina. But I’ve got no choice, at least for now. I’m not ready to retire yet. Not even close. So, we make it work.”
I shove my empty glass at her. “Another one, bartendress. Help me numb the pain of my acute lovesickness.”
Chuckling, CeeCee gets up to refill my glass. “I don’t blame you for falling head over feet for Georgie. So have I. I knew she was going to knock my socks off this summer, the minute I met her. But she’s blown away even my highest expectations with everything she’s submitted to me. Especially that piece she wrote on Gates! Have you read it, Reed? It’s incredible.”
My chest swells with pride. “Yeah, I read every draft along the way. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’m so proud of her.”
She hands me a drink and resumes her seat. “I made it a double.”