“Knock, knock.”
I smile to myself, knowing who it is. “Come in, Josh. I know you’ve been hanging around all day, not doing your work. My casino is probably in chaos downstairs, but don’t you worry about it.”
“Hey, don’t be like that.” He leans his cheeky face around the door, making me laugh. “I’m a kick-ass manager. You wouldn’t have me working for you if not.”
“True, true. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve replaced Callie.”
“You have? Already?”
“Yep. Someone came in, and she was perfect.”
“Oh yeah? What’s she like?”
“She’s got a strong work ethic, a good resume, and the right personality.”
“She must have. I don’t think I’ve ever known you hire someone on the spot. Is she hot?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re married. Don’t you forget that.”
“I’m not married. I just have a girlfriend. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want there to be hot women walking about the place. Anyway, I’m really wondering if that’s the reason you hired her.”
“No way. I’m not like that. I don’t ever mix business with pleasure.”
But those words feel empty as they roll off my tongue. Jodi is trouble. She makes me want to break all the rules. She changes everything.
“Oh, so she is hot then. That should be exciting. But if she’s good at her job, then don’t drive her away.”
“You don’t have a high opinion of me, do you?”
“You know I do. I’ve just seen your striking good looks get you in trouble before.”
“Hmm, yeah, I suppose you’re right. But I’m pushing thirty now. Maybe there will come a time when I want to settle down.”
“Your biological clock ticking?”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“So that’s a yes then. How old is the new personal assistant?”
“Not that it matters, because it isn’t going to happen—”
“But?”
“She’s twenty-five.”
“Ooh, that’s pretty perfect.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. “It isn’t perfect. She’s an employee, nothing more. Get your mind out the gutter, you old perv. Don’t try liv
ing vicariously through me because you won’t be able to keep up.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Let’s have a drink, shall we? Then we should take a walk around the casino so I can see if it’s still standing.”
“You say that like you don’t just want to take a walk around to admire how far you’ve come. The rags to riches story.”
“It was just a set of good investments.”