Bristol picked up the sleeve, and before she handed it to the concierge assigned to her, she checked one last time with Annie. “Are you sure you want to cash in?”

“It’s your money. I don’t want to lose it.” Annie waved her hands in front of the chips.

“It’s our money. You won it. We’ll split it. Maybe there’s something else here you want to play,” Bristol said.

Annie didn’t want to be reckless, especially with money, even though it was Vegas. It was almost three in the morning. “Everything seems so complicated.” Bristol’s laugh was throaty and sexy, and Annie wanted to hear it again.

“We could hit the VIP bar upstairs if you want.” Bristol sounded up for it, but she looked tired.

“It’s getting kind of late. Maybe we should just call it a night,” Annie said. As much as she wanted to get cozy in a VIP booth with Bristol, that wasn’t what a friend would do. Bristol needed a friend, not someone getting lost in her eyes.

Charley bumped her shoulder. “Really? You’re ready to throw in the towel now?” She stared at her incredulously.

“We still have tomorrow night. You said we could hit the club downstairs, right?” Annie asked. She looked at Bristol. “Or are we headed out right after the show?”

Bristol leaned back. “We are definitely hitting the club tomorrow. I know today was busy. And it’s after three. I’ve made spa appointments tomorrow at one. For all of us,” she quickly added.

Annie smiled because Bristol remembered to include Charley. “Really? That’s so sweet.”

“I’m just happy to have someone other than Lizzy and her entourage to go to the spa with.”

“That sounds lovely. Thank you,” Annie said.

“Let’s call it a night,” Bristol said.

Annie searched Bristol’s face for disappointment but saw only happiness. Genuine happiness. Being Bristol’s new friend was important to Annie. Bristol was tender, and it took a lot for her to trust people.

Bristol pointed behind her to Bruce and five other beefy dudes. “I’m going up to my room a different way, but don’t forget. One o’clock at the spa. Booked under Lizzy Parr.” She gave Charley a quick hug, then Annie a longer one.

Annie smiled at the sensation of Bristol’s arms around her. “Sleep well.”

“Thank you again for an incredible night. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Bristol said.

Annie watched as six guards surrounded Bristol and walked her through a back exit. Charley linked her arm with Annie’s. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that Bristol Baines is into you.”

Annie scowled at Charley. “Not at all. She’s just happy she has a new friend. She told me once it was hard to trust people. This is just her way of being friendly. I think she’s really lonely.”