Read Online High Stakes (The Kingdom Book 2) by Nikki Groom - Free Book Online

after a trauma.” She winks and places the box on the table, taking a truffle and popping the whole thing in her mouth. I’ve never eaten truffles. They’ve never really appealed to me, but I feel like I would be rude not to try them. I take one and pop it in my mouth whole, just as Dana did. It starts to melt on my tongue immediately and the smooth rich chocolate flavor fills my mouth making me groan in appreciation.
    “They’re good, huh?” she asks with amusement. “I discovered this little place just outside of town that makes them; it’s the best kept secret around. I don’t eat them often but I thought today would be as good a time as any. They taste like little drops of heaven, and as much as a girl needs to keep her shape, I figured it’s worth it for these little beauties.” She takes one more and pops it in her mouth, the mere act, making her smile. When she’s finished enjoying her truffle, she turns her attention back to me. “So, where were we? Oh yes … So what will you do now that you’re settling in Vegas?”
    “I came here not knowing what was going to happen, and the last week has been a whirlwind. So much has happened and I’m still trying to make sense of it all, really. I at least know that I have somewhere to live and I have a job … well, I think I still have a job …”
    “Where do you have a job?”
    “Denham introduced me to a lovely lady called Beth—“
    “Beth, at Chique?”
    “Yes, you know her?”
    “Do I know her?” She laughs, “Everyone knows Beth, she’s one of Las Vegas’s treasures.”
    “Oh,” I say, not knowing why I am surprised. It actually doesn’t surprise me at all that Beth is well liked around here. She’s another person that says how she feels and calls you out on your shit. Maybe there’s something in the Vegas water.
    “Beth gave you a job?” she questions.
    “Yes, she offered me a position as assistant buyer. That was before I let her down and didn’t show when I promised I would, and now she probably thinks I’m unreliable and will reconsider her offer,” I blurt.
    Dana laughs, and when she does I notice she has the same dimple that Denham does.
    “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Arianna.” She pats my hand reassuringly. “Just give her a call, she’ll understand. She’s not unreasonable, you know.”
    “No, I know that. I don’t know why I worry about these things,” I muse, more to myself than her. I suppose after years of having to double check everything I said or did, just in case it started an argument or instigated a beating, will make you insecure.
    “It’s because it’s all you’ve ever known.”
    I smile shyly and shrug my shoulders, looking anywhere but at her.
    She touches my jaw gently, turning my head to look at her. “Hey, it’ll take time, Arianna. Everything takes time. Just go with it and stop looking for the bad in everything,” she says softly, giving me a reassuring smile that I mirror instantly. It’s impossible not to, she has the same easy way about her as Denham has, which makes me feel at ease. “So,” she says, “for Beth to give you a job must mean you’re pretty knowledgeable. What is it you’re trained in? What work have you done previously?”
    Again, I feel myself shrink inwards. Self-esteem is where I struggle. How do I tell her I have little experience in the retail sector, and no experience whatsoever in a buyer’s position. I’ve never had any formal training in anything and for the past eighteen months, I’ve been a kept woman, even if I hated it.
    “Arianna?” she questions. “It wasn’t a trick question, dear. I’m merely curious. It wouldn’t be a problem to me if you said you only had experience flipping burgers at the golden arches. If Beth thinks you’re good enough, then that’s fine with me.”
    I let out the breath I was holding and relax. “Thanks, Dana. I’ve never had any formal training. I just love clothes. I love everything about the design and the