Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Inside the next room, there was food and drink laid out for them. Park remained close to her side as she took advantage of the fresh fruit trays. “We should do a shoot together here. I ran it by a couple of my sponsors and they loved the idea. They could send you some of their designer clothes. The lines are two of the best, Vienna.”
She was well aware of the two brands he modeled. He was talking about two high-end companies selling T-shirts for well over a hundred dollars. A jacket was at least a thousand. She knew both brands were considered soft and elegant and trendy. Park looked like a million bucks walking around in the suits or the casual clothes.
“I’m not a model, Park. I’m a nurse.” The fruit was amazing. Exactly what she needed. That and the water. She was exhausted and close to crashing. She needed to get upstairs and into her suite as soon as possible, but she didn’t want to look like she was running away.
“You look like a model and you carry yourself like one. You could pull it off, and the paycheck is great.”
“I’m hoping to score a huge paycheck very soon,” she pointed out.
“You really think you can win against Art or Leo?” Park asked, leaning past her to snag a plate so he could add fruit to it.
His body brushed up against hers. She knew it was deliberate, and she stepped away from him, just enough to put space between them.
“That’s why I’m here. Don’t you think you can? You’re a serious player online, Park. You win often. You made it to the final table because you’re good. You’re still here when Benny and Charles are gone, and they have more experience than you.”
Park followed her to a small table with high stools. They sat down to eat the fruit they’d put on the plates. “I have to admit, I was a little shocked to make it this far. I’m good, but I’m not in their league.”
Vienna lifted one eyebrow. This man was going to sit down at the final table with her in another day to play again. Would he seriously be talking to her this way? She doubted it. He seemed open and friendly, just the opposite of Charles, who was hostile. More than likely he was trying to lull her into a false sense of security so she would let down her guard and talk to him about how she played the game.
“You’re good at bullshit, Park, I’ll give you that.”
He looked at her, a little stunned, and then he burst out laughing. “I’ll bet you’re a darned good nurse.”
“You’d win that bet. I’m a surgical nurse, but I work in a very small town so I take rotations in the emergency room as well. I like what I do. It requires fast decisions and it saves lives, which is very fulfilling.”
Someone across the room with a camera in their hands waved at Park, signaling him to come over. He gave her a little fake apologetic smile but rose immediately and went to pose, as several flashes began going off as paparazzi gathered around him.
Theodore joined her, taking the high-backed stool Park had vacated. “I just wanted to warn you, Vienna.” He kept his voice low. “I’ve known Benny Dobsin for years. He’s well known on the circuit and plays all over the world in the bigger tournaments. He doesn’t like to lose the way he did.”
He paused to take a drink. His drink of choice was scotch, and she noted he had a generous amount in the glass. He liked it neat, no ice, and when he drank it, he took a healthy swallow.
“I had the better cards. It happens.”
“You’re unknown. It was round one. He’s a vindictive little shit. I’m not saying this to be a gossip. Everyone knows what he’s like other than you and Park because you haven’t been around him. He’ll retaliate in some way, and it won’t be nice. I’m just saying, watch your back.”
Before she could say anything, Theodore slid off the stool and wandered away, as if he had just been talking about the weather. Vienna was exhausted, and she just wanted to go upstairs to her suite and get away from everyone. She didn’t want to hear any more negativity. At the end of the day, she was there to play cards and win the money. The others and their personalities and motives didn’t matter.
She left, keeping her head down to avoid any interaction with well-wishers or fans, and found her elevator as quickly as possible. Fortunately, their reception room was located very close to the private lift leading to her suite. The ride up was fast, the soft music soothing as she leaned against the back wall for support. She needed the peace and solitude of her room after the grueling hours of playing poker surrounded by so many people. She was used to the Eastern Sierras, where the beauty and majesty always reset and grounded her. Having so many people crowding close made her feel as if she couldn’t breathe.