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My lips thin; e, but he hasn’t banked his reaction to it as I’d thought He’s harder now, colder It’s as if a block of ice went up between us He is the arrogant, de boss I expected hi my pen “I’m ready”

He wastes no ti out inforet it all down

We are just pulling in to the tere phone nurabshis nu it back to me

I accept it, careful not to touch him, and I am almost certain that he is careful, as well “What’s your number?” he asks

“It’s still a Texas nu it

He puts it into his address book and then glances at as number?”

“I … soon”

“Get one tomorrow Text me when you have it”

He opens the car door and steps out, then slams it shut a little too hard I jump at the harshness of the action and then frown He’sfor ure out He definitely is not a sure thing, and neither is this job, but I’amble on them both

Part Three

Where I belong…

My return to the hotel lands me inside the main security operation for the casino, tucked away in a tiny waiting room that feels like a prison Apparently I don’t formally have the job until I am cleared as employable by the company standards For an hour, I sip coffee and try to watch the news on a flat-screen television, but it can’t holdto worry about with my clearances; I just want this job solidified I want to be officially employed, even if it’s technically as a temporary worker It’s a foot in the door

Finally, an hour intohead of security for all three of the Vantage properties, joins me He lifts a folder in his hand and ht, Kali,” he says as we clai torn down the airs of last names in the first sixty seconds we’d erprints, and credit scores You’re clear for temp employment”

“I can report to work tomorrow, then?” I ask hopefully

“Hu on the twentieth floor Bring your identification and you’ll have a picture IDus and taps it “That has a map of all three casinos, a list of staff, and your access codes for parking and the executive floor after hours”