Not as big as the casino, but close enough that it makes my head spin. Lights flash, music pounds, bodies move in every direction.
Thankfully, we’re ushered straight into the VIP section, away from the chaos.
Vinn disappears almost immediately, pulled into conversations with people hanging around, maybe waiting especially for him. And Sofia excuses herself too, promising to return as soon as she’s spoken to a few people she’s spotted.
Ray leads me to the bar.
“What are you having?” he asks.
“Anything but Champagne,” I say quickly.
He huffs a quiet laugh and orders me a cocktail.
When the drinks arrive, he guides me to a booth. I slide in beside him, close enough that our arms brush.
“Dinner wasn’t so bad,” he says, glancing at me. “Was it?”
I shake my head. “No. You have nice friends.”
“Sofia liked you.”
I blink. “She did?”
He nods, like it’s obvious. My chest warms a little. At least I’ve made a good impression. “You and Holly seemed to get on yesterday,” he adds.
I arch a brow at him. “Even though she was bribed to babysit me?”
His jaw tightens slightly. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Oh no?” I sip my drink.
“I thought you’d enjoy the company,” he says. “You’re similar in age. She’s fun. Anika likes her.”
“Sheisfun,” I admit. “Maybe a bit too fun. My friends back home don’t have such expensive taste.”
“What do you like to drink back home?”
I smile faintly. “I’m a Cider kind of girl.”
That earns me another quiet laugh. “What are your friends like?” he asks.
I shrug, relaxing a little. “Normal. Kate’s loud, says whatever she wants, doesn’t care who hears. Filip’s the opposite. He’s calm, sensible. He keeps us grounded.”
“And they were okay with you leaving?”
“They worried,” I admit, “but they knew I had to try.”
His gaze lingers on me. “Was it just the job?” he asks. “Or were you running?”
The question hits hard, like my past is blaringly obvious. I frown, my defences kicking in. “I wasn’t running.”
He leans closer, lowering his voice. “Everyone’s running from something, Wynter.” The way he says my name makes my stomach flip. “You left your family, your friends . . . everything you knew. Came here with nothing.”
“That’s not true,” I snap defensively. “I had a job.”
“Barely,” he says bluntly. “You came here chasing something that was never really yours.” My grip tightens around my glass. “So,” he continues, watching me carefully, “who broke your heart?”
I inhale sharply at his words hanging heavy between us.