A Man Of Almost

Chapter One

"It looks like the Uber is still about 15mins away honey." Mark said.

"Okay, well that's good because I can't seem to find my passport, do you remember where I left it?" Josie asked.

"Yes, I packed that already with mine and my notepad already, I must have forgotten to tell you that." Mark explained.

"Oh shit! The uber is here." Mark said

"Lets go lets go! We have a plane to catch and an anniversary to celebrate my love."

Each year Mark and Josie go away to Las Vegas and recreate the moment they met and celebrate their anniversary date. This year was very important to Mark as it was their 30th year together, Which coincided with one of his lucky numbers on the roulette table. Not only that but the day they got married was on the 30th of September, Which was all the more reason to go big on the gambling this time around.

"The numbers are going to be hot this trip baby. I can feel it, just trust me on this!" Mark cheered. As he opened the door for Josie into the Uber on their way to the airport.

Not even five minutes down the road and Mark had already planned out what he was going to do with all the winnings he was going to profit from on the trip. I can finally buy that motorcycle I've been wanting, and well if I get the bike I need to get some new clothes and a leather jacket and a helmet and maybe even some gloves, yes matching gloves and Josie will need a matching helmet for when she rides on the back.

"Can you feel the air whipping through your hair baby?" Mark asked

"What are you talking about Mark?"

"The motorcycle... oh yes, sorry I was just planning our two wheeled adventure this summer after we hit it big at the tables tonight. We could even get one with a side cart if you'd prefer that?

"I don't know Mark, maybe in this fantasy you should put yourself in the side cart because I'm going to be the one riding the hog." Josie chuckled.

Mark and Josie met in Las Vegas and Josie decided that they should live in Washington, the state Mark was from because of his promising career in construction. Most of Josie's family had passed away or never really been close so it wasn't hard to pick up and restart somewhere new.

It all started when Mark was walking down the casino floor slightly intoxicated with his buddies thirty-ish years ago. Mark stood 5 foot 8 but held his stocky chest up high beside Dave and Dennis who were twins and shared the same height of 6 foot, his two good friends from work. While Mark wasn't as tall he stuck out in a crowd of other men. He had welcoming green eyes as a young man and large lips that drove the women in his past wild. The only slight imperfection on Mark's face was a slight bend to his nose, from getting punched back when he was in college for a year at a house party for dancing with someone's girl. Although it didn't bother him much, as he felt it added character and the girl was stupid hot.

As they found their way through the casino floor Mark noticed an open area for digital roulette with a max limit of $10,000. He ushered over his buddies and they agreed to come over to the machines and start their night of gambling.

"When I hit it big tonight boys the drinks are on me for the rest of this trip!" Mark announced.

"We are going to hold you up to that Mark, and don't think i'm ordering bottom of the barrel drinks, i'm going to make you bleed. Dave and Dennis laughed.

That night was an oddly lucky night for Mark unknowingly in multiple ways. From the first ball spin Mark could just feel it that night. When the ball spit out and started spinning he could feel it speak to him, he knew it was going to land on red. Without any hesitation Mark placed his bet and didn't doubt his choice at any moment. The ball spun and spun around for what seemed to be an eternity, eventually coming to a gradual stop on red 30.

"YES!!!!! FUCK YESS" Mark screamed

"What happened??" Dennis asked

"It fucking landed on red is what just happened." Mark cried

"Oh, awesome. How much did you win?" Dave questioned

At that moment Dave and Dennis both leaned in while still sitting at their machines after each losing their bets and looked at Marks balance.

Balance Total: $20,000.00

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT" Did you really fucking bet $10,000 on a single bet?

"Of course I did, I could feel it and knew it couldn't be any other way.

"Drinks my good sir, and you damn well know I want a cocktail." Dennis said.

A young lady walked up to the roulette table briefly after Mark hit that big win and as he turned around to look he noticed the most beautiful women he'd ever seen in his life. Wavy full brown hair stretching down to her hips. A tight black dress shaped perfectly around her hourglass frame. Her eyes a bright brown with hazel pierced through Mark and his heart skipped. She stood 5 foot 7 inches with 3 inch heels and walked with a smooth glide.

"Cocktails for these goodmen my lady, and don't be light on the alcohol. There's a good tip in it for you." Mark said

"Look I'm not the cocktail lady and don't think for a moment I didn't notice you eye fucking me just a moment ago, I left my players card in this machine."

Josie leaned forward past Mark and pulled out her card, her hair grazing the side of Mark's cheek and in that moment he knew he had to make her his.

"Feel free to buy me a drink though, it looks like you can afford it now. But don't think you can afford me. I'll be at that slot machine, I would enjoy something sweet with a cherry on top.

She winked and walked away with her card.