Devon Vaughn Archer - Bet on Love

“That works for me,” Chuck said. His short black hair was graying at the temples.

Tanner ordered the drinks from the bartender who promptly made them.

“Looks like this place has set the Strip on fire,” Chuck commented.

“Yeah, all the rooms are booked for the next couple of weeks and some high rollers have shown up hoping to get lucky.”

Chuck laughed. “That always helps. Unless, of course, you’re pulling for the house, which I am.”

Tanner chuckled. “You had me worried for a moment there,” he joked.

“Don’t be. I want to see my investment grow tenfold, if possible.”

“You and me both.” Tanner tasted the drink. “So how’s Deloris?” he asked about Chuck’s wife.

“Great. She’s in South Carolina visiting her mother.” Chuck looked at him. “And who’s the flavor of the week for you right now?”

Tanner laughed. “Sounds like ice cream.”

“Only sweeter, potentially,” Chuck shot back.

“I’m not seeing anyone right now,” Tanner told him.

“No...? Losing your touch, friend?”

“Been too preoccupied of late.” Tanner thought of Bianca. “Actually, I do have a date tonight.”

Chuck smiled. “Figured you wouldn’t go too long without having someone on your arm. I suppose she’s gorgeous?”

“Yeah, she is,” Tanner admitted.

“Why am I not surprised? Between you and your brother, you pretty much have the run of the best ladies in town.”

Tanner grinned. “I wish,” he said lightly. “Truth of the matter is both of us really just want someone we can grow old with and still be madly in love. Until that person comes along, all we can do is keep looking.”

“Then here’s to looking and finding that right lady,” Chuck said, lifting his glass. “Assuming you haven’t already...”

Tanner took that toast and sipped his drink, his thoughts squarely on Bianca and their date tonight.

* * *

After paying the cabdriver, Bianca headed into the Aloha Seas. She was feeling a little nervous, as though this were a high school date instead of an evening with a handsome, millionaire playboy on his own turf.

You’ll be fine, she told herself. Just keep the expectations low and the optimism high.

She had barely stepped onto the marble floor in the lobby, when Bianca saw Tanner approaching with a big smile on his face.

“Right on time,” he said.

“I could say the same for you,” she told him, in spite of the fact that he had the advantage of already being there ahead of time.

“I’d never be late for dinner with you.”

“Oh, really?” Bianca wasn’t sure if he was the consummate charmer. Or simply full of it. She preferred the former.

“Not when you look like that,” Tanner said, giving her the once-over.

Bianca colored as he admired her in a red scoop-neck top, black skirt and black pumps. She studied him in a gray blazer, dusty pink polo shirt and gray slacks before declaring, “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He laughed. “Thanks. I wanted to at least make myself presentable for the occasion.”

She doubted he’d ever have a problem when it came to style and taste, imagining he wore expensive attire regularly.

“So show me this great seafood restaurant,” she said.

Tanner grinned. “It would be my pleasure.”

They entered Seas and were led to a private table.

“Your very own table,” Bianca said as he pulled out her seat. “Impressive.”

“One of the bonuses of being majority owner,” he said coolly.

“Must be nice,” she teased as he sat.

“It’s much nicer to have you as my guest.”

She smiled while thinking, anytime. But that wouldn’t be true, as she wanted more from a man than a great table at a restaurant. Or, for that matter, a very handsome man as her companion. But both were a good start.

A waiter came over and handed them menus. “Can I get you something to drink, Mr. Long? Or Ms....?”

“Bianca,” she said, adding, “red wine, please.”

“Same,” Tanner said.

“Red wine, it is,” the waiter responded. “I’ll be back to take your order shortly.”

“So, what do you recommend?” Bianca asked.

Tanner regarded the menu. “I’ve only dined here once thus far, and I found the stuffed-shrimp dish with walnut-blended greens to be first rate.”

“Sounds good,” she said. “I’ll try it.”

“I’ll join you,” he told her.

A few minutes later, they were sipping their wine.

“Let’s get back to the wide range of tastes and experiences you were going to tell me about the other day,” Bianca said, eager to see all sides of the man.

“Thought you’d never ask,” Tanner said over the rim of his goblet with a chuckle. “Well, let’s see, I like to work out—including tennis, bicycling, jogging, basketball, swimming and hitting the gym. I’m big on traveling—mostly for business, but pleasure as well.”

“Where have you traveled?” she wondered, speculating that he had been all over the world.

“Lots of places, both in the U.S. and abroad. I’ve been to Hawaii a number of times, which gave me the inspiration for the theme of Aloha Seas. I’ve also been to Europe, Australia and, closer to home, Canada— Toronto and Montreal.”

“Looks like you’ve built up a lot of frequent flier miles,” Bianca half joked.

“Yeah, you could say that.” Tanner wet his lips with wine. “I have my own jet now, so the rewards of flying often are always there.”

“I’ll bet.” While she had met some people in the entertainment business who had private planes, Bianca had never known anyone personally who owned a jet. What other things would she learn about him?

“Getting back to my tastes, I enjoy professional sports such as basketball, football, baseball and boxing, reading the classics and contemporary mysteries and thrillers, watching music performances and plays, and, believe it or not, doing crossword puzzles.”

Bianca laughed. “That is quite a range.” And one I’d have a hard time topping, she mused.

“I also do my share of charity work, both locally and nationally,” Tanner said.

“Nice to hear.” She smiled at him, while thinking that he was certainly well-rounded and humble. Those were good qualities to have.

The food came and she watched Tanner dive right in. She did the same, as their wineglasses were refilled.

“Your turn,” he said, dabbing a cloth napkin to the corners of his mouth.

Bianca had expected this, but never really liked talking too much about herself. “What would you like to know?” she asked cautiously.

“What wouldn’t I like to know is more like it.” Tanner flashed her a serious look. “Have you ever been married?”

“No.”

“How about engaged?”

She smiled. “Not that, either.”

“But you’ve had boyfriends?”

“Of course,” she said. “I just haven’t found the right guy to get engaged to or marry yet.”

“So, no children, then?” Tanner asked levelly.

Bianca gave a little laugh, feeling as though she was being interviewed as wife material. Was that so bad? Or was it a bit too personal for a first date?

“No, I don’t have any children,” she told him. “Do you?”

“Nope,” he answered concisely.

“Do you want any?” Bianca had to ask for some reason.

Tanner sighed. “Someday. I’m not in any hurry, though.”

“Neither am I.” She wanted to make this clear, preferring to leave all the mommying to her sister for now.

He seemed content with her answer and resumed eating. “Tell me about your family. I know you said you’re from Houston. Fill in some blanks.”

She put down her fork. “Well, my parents are divorced. My dad lives in Biloxi and Mom in Galveston.”