CaddyGirls by V. K. Sykes

thrilled her to know he’d come.
    Five hands later, her replacement edged up, waiting to relieve her. Torrey collected the cards and chips and turned the table over to him. As she moved away, Julian picked up his small stack of chips. By the time she made it through the pit area exit, he stood waiting.
    “I didn’t expect to see you here…” She stopped herself from finishing the sentence. It would have been, “…but I’m really glad you came.”
    “Call me impatient, but I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you again.” His dark eyes flashed the same intensity she’d glimpsed last night. “I know you’re probably exhausted, but could I talk you into a nightcap?”
    Torrey thought for maybe half a second. “Here?”
    “Why don’t we go back to the Bellagio? I don’t want to insult your employer, but this place is a bit of a dump.”
    “Insult away,” she said with a laugh. “I only work here because they’re willing to hire rookie dealers. I don’t spend any more time in the place than I have to.”
    They retrieved her car from the parking garage and ten minutes later drove up to the Bellagio. Julian spent most of the drive talking about the Cirque du Soleil show. Torrey listened with only half an ear, her mind absorbed by worries about where this encounter would lead. Should she spring the question tonight, or wait until breakfast as planned?
    Julian reached for her hand as they entered the hotel from the Bellagio’s massive garage. It almost felt to her as if they were on a date. As she walked toward the casino at the side of this sophisticated, insanely gorgeous man, she felt for the first time as if she actually belonged in this opulent hotel. It was a crazy thought, as the place was full of gamblers and walk-through tourists who couldn’t afford to actually stay there. It was one thing to be a walk-through, but quite another to be a guest like Julian Grant, pampered and catered to.
    “This place has at least six bars,” he said. “Would you prefer music or quiet? Or maybe a view?”
    Torrey looked down at herself. The casino dealer outfit made her look like she should be standing behind a card table, not sitting in a fancy bar.
    “Well,” she said, giving a little laugh, “how about wherever I’ll look the least out of place?”
    Julian smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Anybody who looks at you will be focused on how beautiful you are, not on what you’re wearing. Let’s try the Fontana Bar. We can sit outside and watch the fountains.”
    She nodded, her heart pounding against the wall of her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was the result of his compliment or her nervousness, or both.
    The Fontana’s hostess led them through the circular bar to the patio. They chose seats at one of the white metal tables, adjusting the chairs so they could talk while still having a good view of the dancing waters.
    Both ordered white wine, and Julian asked her a couple of questions about dealing blackjack. She managed to babble some semi-coherent answers while her mind rehearsed how to broach the big question.
    “You know, I was thinking. Why don’t we move up the discussion we were going to have in the morning?” Julian asked, right out of the blue. “We both know you want to talk to me about helping with your golf career.”
    Torrey tried not to show her surprise. Yes, she was dying to talk to him about her career, but she’d never suspected he’d be the one to raise it. Had she been that obvious this afternoon? Or was Julian simply a very perceptive man?
    “I suppose I haven’t been appropriately subtle, have I?” She cast her eyes down for a moment as she took a sip of wine.
    “Don’t worry about it. You go after what you want. I was sure you were going to ask me tomorrow and, frankly, I didn’t see any point in waiting.”
    Please let the next words out of that gorgeous mouth be, ‘Yes, Torrey, I’d love to help you.’
    She smiled, her eyes encouraging him to go on.
    “So,