Shadows and Stars: A Darker Love ✔

Chapter Twelve

Rachel didn't lie; the food was exquisite.

After inhaling my prawn cocktail, I devoured a medium-rare steak and polished off a lemon meringue. Additionally, I think I've lost count of how many glasses of champagne I've gotten through.

My head spins when I stand from the table, noticing that most people have started to mingle with one another around the room. The live band are about six songs into their playlist, and from one side of the room a row of workers set up tables of casino games; blackjack and roulette being the most popular.

I smile, sauntering towards the bar as I take in how incredibly wonderful the night has been so far. I don't know why I felt so anxious, but I'm thankful that my worries have disappeared with each passing second. I decide to order a passion fruit martini, feeling somewhat important when it's handed to me free of charge.

"Hello again." Anderson joins me, asking the waiter for a beer.

I smile. "And hello to you too." My brain whirrs with happiness and content, and without thinking I rest my head onto Anderson's shoulder. "This has been such a good night already," I chuckle. "Thanks for persuading me to come."

Anderson laughs. I watch his beaming smile grow in the mirror behind the bar. "Looks like someone's had too many already."

I lift my head, meeting my eyes to the grey of Anderson's. "Maybe just a few, but it's a free bar — so who cares?" I giggle once more, spinning the stem of the martini glass within my fingers.

"You want to go play some roulette?" Anderson asks.

I smile, resting my head in my hand. "Sure, why not?"

The games seem to attract a lot of attention, so when Anderson and I finally find a free space at the roulette table, we quickly start placing our bets. Anderson places a few chips on various numbers, and I follow, not really taking much notice on the numbers, just enjoying myself and playing for the fun of it. There isn't real money to be made from it, just bragging rights, so it doesn't matter too much anyway.

     "You placed on all blacks?" Anderson sniggers, leaning against the large table as he tips the beer bottle against his lips.

I giggle, my head swaying as the band begin another Christmas song cover in the background. "What's wrong with that?"

Anderson laughs, holding his hands up. "Nothing."

The wheel is spun, and when the silver ball lands on black thirty-three, I jump up and down ecstatically. "Oh my god! I won!"

Anderson's eyes close with disbelief, his grin so wide it radiates across the large room. "Beginner's luck," he teases.

I swat his arm, pouting my lips with smugness. "Another round?"

We replace our chips on different numbers, and it takes all of my strength not to collapse with laughter when I win the next round too. Anderson's face shakes with humiliation, and he bites his bottom lip to halt his mocking.

     "Don't be sad," I taunt, taking my hand and squeezing Anderson's cheeks together. "You'll get there, you just need a bit of practice."

     "Practice?" Anderson laughs. "It's just luck—you got lucky!" His eyebrows raise, and for a short moment I enjoy the flirtation between us.

"Sure," I say, placing my tongue between my teeth.

Finishing my second cocktail of the night, I lure Anderson away from the casino tables and onto the dance floor, my insides running on adrenaline.