Part 4 (1/2)
Tasteful colored lights reflected off the dark floors and marble columns. Beyond the check-in area I could see giant crystal columns flanking an escalator, all bathed in a soft purple glow. None of it was quite what I expected-definitely not flashy or gaudy. Instead, it struck me as very chic, very cool.
”This says there's a mall in here somewhere,” Jen said, turning her attention back to her guidebook as Kiki and Eric headed over to the desk to check us in. ”It's supposed to have awesome shopping. And I guess the casino is that way. Oooh, and it says there's a really good club over there...”
”Sweetie,” Matt said, taking her hand. ”You're on vacation. Let's put the book away and relax, okay?”
”Yeah,” Ginny agreed, s.n.a.t.c.hing the book out of her hand. ”No planning on this trip. We're all just gonna go with the flow and have fun.”
I laughed at the crestfallen expression on Jen's face. For her, planning was fun. But letting go a little definitely wouldn't hurt.
”We're all set!” Kiki said, hurrying over to us. ”They have us in three different rooms, but they're all really close to each other. And they're supposed to have amazing views.”
”Let's go check it out!” I said, feeling like I might soon join Kiki in bouncing around.
As we headed to the elevators, I put my arm through Ginny's. ”So,” I said. ”Are you totally b.u.mmed you're stuck rooming with me?”
Gin snorted. ”Yeah, right. We're gonna have a blast. It will be like old times.”
”Yeah, but won't you miss Josh?”
”Sure. But I'm not going to let it ruin my trip.”
”This is why I love you,” I told her, as we followed the rest of the group onto the elevator. ”You might be an old married fart but you can still have fun without your hubs.”
”I'm actually looking forward to it,” she said, squeezing my arm a little. ”I don't get to see you as often as I want these days.”
”We're all gonna have so much fun!” Kiki said, peering around Eric to look at us. ”Just you guys wait!”
The elevator pinged as we reached our floor, and I felt another little jolt of excitement. I wondered what the rooms would be like in a place this nice.
”Okay, this is you guys,” Eric said, stopping at a door and handing me a small envelope with our key cards. ”Jen and Matt, you're two doors down.” He handed Matt their cards. ”And Kiki and I are right next to them.”
The girls and I grinned at each other goofily for a minute, like little kids at Christmas, before we all dived for our doors. I frantically fumbled with the key card, finally getting the door open so Ginny and I could rush inside.
”Wow,” Ginny said, stopping in the foyer. ”I mean...wow.”
I was having trouble finding words. The room was huge, bigger than Jen's and my entire living room. Probably our entire first floor combined. ”Did you know she was getting us a suite?” I asked.
”Nope,” Ginny said, setting her purse on a small coffee table. ”But I sure as h.e.l.l ain't complaining.”
In addition to two queen-sized beds, there was also a living room area and giant floor-to-ceiling windows. The staff had pulled the curtains, giving us a spectacular view of the Vegas strip far below us. I walked over to the window, staring down in amazement.
”You have to see this,” I called to Ginny, who had wandered into the bathroom. ”There's a replica of the Eiffel tower down there!”
”Hang on,” Ginny called. ”This bathroom is incredible.”
I ran in to check it out and saw Ginny sitting, fully clothed, in the marble tub, testing its size. ”This is bigger than our kitchen!” she cried.
I started laughing and found I couldn't stop. I felt giddy with excitement. Ginny started laughing too. ”Can you even believe this?” she asked.
”Come look at the view,” I told her, grabbing her hand to pull her out of the tub.
We ran back into the living area and stood at the window, gazing down at the lights.
”Oh my G.o.d!” Ginny squealed, grabbing my arm and pointing. ”It's that fountain! You know, from the George Clooney movie!”
”You're right!” I told her, following her pointing finger down to the Bellagio fountain, which looked familiar to me from Ocean's Eleven.
”You guys,” a voice said behind us, and we spun around. Jen was standing in the still open doorway. ”Isn't this amazing?”
”Do you have a view like this?” Ginny asked.
”Yes!” Jen said, coming over to stand with us. ”It's totally incredible!”
”Look at our bathroom!” Ginny said.
”Mine is like that too!” Jen said, sounding more and more like Kiki with every word.
We were saved the embarra.s.sment of jumping around like five-year-olds when the porters showed up with our luggage. Seeing them standing there in the doorway with my bags had the effect of reminding me that I was actually a grown woman. I tipped the porter generously and Jen slipped away to help Matt unpack.
”Late dinner and drinks in half an hour,” she called over her shoulder. We had all eaten on the plane, but that felt like hours ago. We had a full night of partying ahead of us and I was determined to have the energy to go the distance.
Chapter Seven.
*While it's important to have confidence when dealing with men, it's equally important not to be too bold. Men like it when you let them make the first move. A woman who insists on ignoring this fact will have a hard time making a man interested in her.'-The Single Girl's Guide to Finding True Love ”Wow,” I said again. ”I know I keep saying it, but this place is unbelievable!”
”I know!” Ginny squealed, grabbing my arm. ”Look at all the people!” Our group was standing at the entrance to the casino. Everywhere I looked I was bombarded with noise, lights, conversation, and people. It was so cool.
”What should we do first?” Jen asked.
”Drinks,” I said immediately.
”Obviously,” Ginny agreed.
We headed over to the bar and placed our orders while we all gazed around. ”I want to try this,” Jen said excitedly. ”I want to learn how to play cards.”
Matt chuckled and put his arm around her. ”I have a feeling you'd be pretty amazing at that.”
”I want to try the slots first,” Ginny said.
In the end we decided that Kiki, Jen, Matt, and Eric would head over to the blackjack tables while Ginny and I gave the slot machines a try. The two of us headed to the loudest, most garish machines we could find and sat down together.
”So, how does this work?” Ginny asked, adjusting her sparkly top. She and I couldn't help but to get a little gussied up before coming downstairs, and I was glad we had done so. I had already spotted several guys I wouldn't mind getting to know a little better.
”I think we just put our coins in here?” I said uncertainly.
We decided to give it a try. Within a few minutes we were each out five bucks.