Page 43 of Keep Vegas

Spark up the lie machine.

MAK: I’ll come to you. I had an early shoot in Palm Springs. Not sure if I have to stay the night or what. Can you wait or do you have to go home?

I’m uh. Well, that just popped out. It would be so much simpler if he went home. Please go home. Please.

T: I’ll be at the Hotel Bel Air’s pool. Come find me if you come home today. Bring a suit if you want to swim, and we can hang out. I’ll fly home in the morning, but only if you have breakfast with me.

MAK: Wow. I mean, wow.

Fuck. I speed home and throw shit into a bag. The chicest stuff I have since I’m supposed to be a stylist. Shit. Shit. My car won’t make it, so I’ll rent one. I can’t afford to fly, so driving it is. Am I really doing this? Spending money, I don’t have to keep this fucking ruse going. But in the middle of my packing insanity, I settle at the thought of him. I’m not spending the money to cover my lies. I’m spending it to see him.

“What’s all the fuss about, Leech?”

“That nickname never gets old, Dad.” He appears at the door, sipping a green smoothie. I’m secretly jumping for joy. They don’t always make the best food choices, despite their heart issues. But over the last couple of years, I’ve had to monitor and nag a lot less. I hope it’s not a mint chocolate chip shake.

“Well, Papa Slug, there’s someone who wants to see me.” My voice is lighter and brighter than it’s been in a long while.

“Do you want to see this person?”

I flop on my pull-out couch bed that’s rarely folded up, grinning madly.

“That’s a good smile, pumpkin. That’s a hall of famer, the kind your mom brings to my face.”

“What would you do to see her, if you couldn’t?”

He grins and looks to the hallway. “What wouldn’t I do?” He winks. “Will you be here for dinner? I’m giving shrimp fajitas a shot.” I grin. “With yogurt instead of sour cream.”

“Dad, you can have sour cream, just not the—”

“My darling daughter, you worry about you right now. We’re good. You can do something for yourself for a change. You’re welcome to dinner, but it seems you were packing.”

I lie back on my bed and wonder how far I can push this before I have to give him up again.

T: I don’t know what’s between us, Makenzie, or what will come of it, but I can tell you I need it and you right now. I need to be with the one person who lets me sit most comfortably in my skin.

“Dad!” I shout into the empty hallway. Regrettably, I won’t be present for dinner.

He yells back, “Atta girl.” My mouth won’t stop smiling. Tony makes me bold.

MAK: I’ll be in your lap in a couple of hours.

T: I’ll put a reserve sign on it. Property of Makenzie Preston.

MAK: Hope the other women won’t be disappointed.

T: What other women?

Swoon.

I toss my hair into a low ponytail and clean myself up in the hotel lobby after my land speed record-breaking trip. This bathroom might be the nicest place I’ve ever been. I’d like to move into this bathroom. There’s a couch bigger than my bed. I valeted my rental car and told them to put it on his room. I’ll pay him back if he says anything, but the hold on my credit card for the car and the gas and snacks wiped out all my money.

My paycheck goes in tonight, so I’ll be able to get home. I had, like, two of those fountain drink vats of soda. I’m a little wired, but I think I can maintain it.

My eyes feel really dry. I keep blinking, but it’s not helping. What do you wear to work if you’re a stylist? I told him I’d come right from work. My stomach is a massive ball of butterflies and sparks. I’m so excited to see him and I can’t believe he came to find me. I toss on a floaty dress that could be a coverup. I told him I’d been in the desert, and this is desert cute.

I’m exiting the bathroom when a baby-voiced woman approaches me. “Are you by any chance Makenzie Preston?”

“Why? What is happening here? How do I know you? Did I do something wrong? I’m so sorry, I took some of the tampons in the bathroom.” I dig into my bag to return them. She places her hand on mine.