385 Weekend in Sin City 1

Friday

6:04 PM

Quentin promised a weekend treat to Brianna and their closest friends (Liz, Max, Mia, and Hunter) because they helped him sort out his parents and the Reynolds Publishing.

That was four days ago, and his parents didn't cause trouble since then. Quentin is aware that they are probably lying low while planning their next move, but that does not mean he will not have fun with his friends and his fiery Goddess. Life moves on and Quentin plans to make the most of it.

Many things changed since Quentin met Brianna in the Black Rose nightclub. From a guy who lived for his next quick pleasure while avoiding the boring routine of the office, Quentin became a love-smitten faithful guy who is ready to lead a company.

Quentin never avoided work but he did it from the shadows while enjoying travels and all the beauties that came his way. With Brianna by his side, Quentin is fine to stay in the office, because the most dazzling beauty in the world is his girlfriend, and he does not need any other. It feels that with Brianna in his life, all the pieces are coming together, and Quentin is ready to settle down into a routine that is never boring thanks to the presence of his fiery Goddess.

Reynolds Publishing is now completely in Quentin's hands and they are moving forward with modernization.

As promised (to himself), as soon as his parents were out of the picture, Quentin announced the end of the collaboration with the talent agency that belongs to Vanessa's family with a cheeky note that if they have any complaints, they should talk to his parents. Most of the deals they had were short-term for a lifetime of a project (the longest was one week long) so he let those expire naturally, and for two long-term collaborations that stretched for more than a month, Quentin terminated them immediately and paid the penalties. 

Quentin is now focused on the future of the company and he counts that Brianna will help out in the financial department with her brilliant ideas, and maybe even take over as the director of finances for Reynolds Publishing.

Brianna voiced her displeasure with Harper Investments (mostly her father and cousin Thomas). In addition to that, Mrs. Durbin (aka the current director of Finances at Reynolds Publishing) is close to retirement. Quentin believes that it might work great for everyone if Brianna leaves Harper Investments and switches to Reynolds Publishing. As a bonus, her workload will lessen, and the two of them will have more time to spend together.

Quentin took a mental note to bring this up next time Brianna mentions her displeasure with her current work setting.

Quentin would love that Brianna comes to his office and discuss finances over lunch breaks in private. On his office desk. Daily.

The girls were super-excited when they found out about their destination. Sin City is the right place to enjoy and let loose, and with their three guys watching over them, they don't need to worry about safety.

"Let's go and hit slot machines!", Mia exclaimed when she, Hunter, Max, Liz, Quentin, and Brianna met in the lobby of their hotel.

Liz looked at Max expectantly and he asked: "What do you want to do, doll?"

Liz blushed slightly. She is not used when Max uses those nicknames that make her have naughty thoughts. But it's more than his words. His husky voice goes lower by an octave and the way he looks at her is like he is undressing her… and she can't help it. Everything about Max is naughty. He has that effect on her.

"I don't know. Other than playing some games on my phone, I never gambled for real.", Liz admitted.

"Then you should try everything!", Hunter said enthusiastically.

"Slot machines!", Mia persisted.

Brianna waved her hand dismissively. "I don't want slot machines. You place a bet and pull the lever, and everything is up to the machine. That is not different than playing on your phone. To feel the real rush, you need to gamble with humans, not with a machine."

Quentin smiled and pulled Brianna closer to him. "You sound like a professional. And you sound like you are talking about poker."

Brianna bit her lower lip playfully. "And you sound like you can read my mind."

Mia disagreed with the poker idea. "I prefer the machines because I hate losing. If I get pissed and I kick the machine, that is fine. But if I kick a man, I will get in trouble."

Hunter's eyebrows shoot up. "Who dares give you trouble? I will be by your side. Feel free to kick them away."

Mia giggled and leaned onto Hunter. "OK. If you will protect me, then I'm fine with anything."

"Sounds like we will play poker.", Max said with a sly smile on his face.

Quentin and Hunter looked at Max with disapproval and said in unison: "Not happening."

Max could not believe that his best buddy and brother are dissing him, and just seconds ago they were talking about poker. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing with us, but with you.", Hunter said matter-of-factly. "Play at a different table. There must be more than one."

Liz didn't understand the sudden change in the mood, and she wrapped her arms around Max protectively. "What's wrong with Max playing poker? Or is this because I have no idea what to do?"

Hunter got closer to Liz and whispered: "Max can remember cards and read people. It's like super-cheat."

Liz saw that Quentin is nodding in support of Hunter's words.

"Playing cards against M is like giving him free money."

Liz remembered that Max memorized her apartment passcode after only glancing at it. Liz thought how that is a super-power for someone who goes to school, but it seems that it has other uses as well. In addition, Max is very good at reading (and manipulating) people.

Liz looked at Max with sparkles in her eyes. "Will you teach me?"

Max smiled. "Absolutely. Let's go and pick a table."

Mia and Brianna groaned.

"Here we go again.", Mia grumbled.

Brianna giggled at Mia's exaggerated grumpy face and said teasingly: "It seems that the super-couple is at it again. I still remember the bowling. Max taught Liz how to play within minutes and then they wiped the floor with you."

Liz's eyebrows shoot up. "Did you label me and Max as a super-couple?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Why are you surprised? With your and Mr. perfect's combined gene pools, your kids will be obnoxious geniuses."

Liz's eyes widened while her expression showed how conflicted she is about this. She didn't think about babies and stuff, but Mia just called her non-existent kids obnoxious. That is unacceptable!

In order to get some support, Liz looked at Max and found him dazed with a silly grin on his face.

Liz nudged him. "Max, are you with me?"

Max blinked and cleared his throat. "Always."

Liz didn't believe him. "Really? What were we talking about?"

"About us making babies. How about we get a head start?" He winked at her shamelessly and Liz blushed.

"That is not what the topic was about!", Liz hissed in a whisper.

Max pulled Liz closer and smiled slyly. "That is what I heard. If I heard wrongly, feel free to correct me."

Liz's face turned red as a ripe tomato when she realized that she fell into his trap. There is no way she will repeat that they are a super-couple, and their kids will be obnoxious geniuses.

Unsure what to do and frustrated by his smug expression, Liz pinched Max's arm and he chuckled, leaning closer for a kiss.

Mia grimaced and turned away so that she does not see the cheesy couple fake-bickering. If Liz is really angry at Max, she would kick him and not kiss him back!

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