I had no idea what winning a spot meant. I started to ask when I heard female laughter, verging on giggling, drawing closer to us. Glancing back, I tensed only a moment when my gaze found Trev giving a wicked grin to a stunning redhead as he held her close to him with his hand on her butt, then bent to whisper in her ear. She appeared to be completely enamored with him.

  Not wanting to be caught watching them, I turned my attention back to the track. This was his way of handling the awkward position. He was going to find a replacement female to flirt with. But I’d already given him the player label. It hadn’t been a harsh judgment. The guy was charming, and he used it too well.

  “Maybe I do want that drink,” I said to Saxon, hoping he didn’t realize why.

  It was silly really. The fact that it even bothered me. I’d been around Trev Hughes twice for barely any time at all. Knowing the entire time that the fact that our parents were dating would end his flirting. It was also going to save him. When we got back to Florida, I’d need to keep my distance from him and Saxon. Until I knew it was safe to be around a guy again.

  Saxon nodded and leaned back, held up a hand, then smiled down at me. “Same thing?”

  I paused then, unsure if I needed to have money for this. Trev had gotten me the first one before ditching me. I didn’t have any money on me.

  I scrunched my nose, feeling more comfortable being honest with Saxon than I did Trev. “Um, depends. How much are they?”

  That dimpled grin flashed at me again. “Nothing. The drinks are all on Hughes Farm.”

  “In that case, yes, please,” I replied.

  He chuckled, turning to order my mint julep from the server and a whiskey for himself. The giggling started again, and I caught myself rolling my eyes.

  “I wasn’t going to ask, but I’ve decided I am. Last night, when Trev spotted you at the gala, did he know who you were then?”

  I looked up at Saxon, not realizing he’d been at the gala last night. I shook my head. He did a quick glance back in the direction of Trev and the giggling female.

  “And he just found out today,” Saxon finished.

  I nodded.

  He sighed, then gave me that dimpled smile. “That sucks for him.” Then, he winked.

  Here we go. He was going to flirt. I would have to be sure to keep him at arm’s length. Not give him any wrong ideas. He didn’t have a reason not to pursue me, like Trev did.

  Saxon turned and took our drinks from the server I hadn’t realized was behind me. He thanked her, then turned to me, handing me the mint julep.

  “So, tell me about yourself. I know you don’t live in Ocala. Your face isn’t one that a guy forgets.”

  I felt my cheeks warm. Something about the matter-of-fact way he had said it—without the flirty tone of voice or flashy grin—made me feel as if he truly meant it. “Uh, well, I do currently live in Ocala, but we just moved there three weeks ago.”

  “Why move to Ocala?”

  “It was a stopping point on our way north.”

  “North? Where were you before? Where are you headed to next?” He asked both questions before taking a drink of his amber-colored whiskey.

  “We have been in Miami for the past year. As for where to next, I have no idea. We rarely ever know.”

  He looked confused. “I’m gonna need the story behind that.”

  I sighed, thinking of my mother. “Mom likes to move. She never can stay settled long. She doesn’t have a plan—never has. We just move.”

  “Is that why she named you Gypsi?” he asked me.

  I nodded, pleased he’d picked up on that. “Her two favorite things in the world should have the same name—at least, she said that was her reasoning when she was seventeen.”

  He frowned. “She had you at seventeen?”

  “Yep,” I replied, taking a sip.

  “Explains why she looks so young.”

  I laughed.

  “You two look cozy,” Trev said, stepping up beside me with the redhead clinging to his arm.

  I smiled at the girl, then took another drink, turning my attention to the track again.

  “We’ll be discussing our wedding plans by derby time,” Saxon drawled.

  I bit my bottom lip, not wanting to laugh, then looked up at him. He was pleased with my response. His dimples told me so. I had to stop that. Rein it in.

  Trev didn’t respond.

  “Hello, Sax,” the redhead greeted him.

  “Eliza,” he replied. “Felix looked great out there today.”

  She giggled. “Is that one of our horses?”

  Saxon looked down at me and raised his eyebrow slightly, then back at her. “Yeah, he is.”

  “I don’t keep up with that stuff. You know that. I’m just here for all the fun stuff.”

  Saxon nodded, then leaned down to me. “They’ll start from there. Rig is the third one in.”

  “I think I am asking this correctly … what are his odds?” I was trying to remember the race talk I’d heard from Garrett the past two days in conversation with others we had met.

  “If you’re betting, yeah,” he replied. “You want some Horse Race Betting 101 now?”

  I thought about that, then shrugged. “I’m not much of a gambler,” I explained. “After I work for my money, I’m not keen on losing it.”

  Saxon smirked. “What if it’s not your money?”

  I tilted my head and studied him for a moment. “Are you offering to give me money to bet?”

  He nodded his head slowly while watching me. That was tempting, but it would give him the wrong idea.

  “If she wants to bet, I’ll place her bet.” Trev’s voice was hard. Something I’d not heard before.

  I turned to look at him, and he was glaring at Saxon. What was that about?

  “Hey, I’m just teaching her the ropes. You’ve got your hands full,” Saxon replied.

  Trev’s jaw flexed, and then his gaze dropped down to mine. “You want to bet?” he asked in a harsh tone that made me flinch.

  I shook my head. Even if it wasn’t my money, I had a hard time seeing people toss money away. I’d worked too hard for it from the time I was old enough to get a job.

  His nostrils flared, and then I watched as he visibly relaxed somewhat.

  “Hell, Trev, you growl at her, and she’s not gonna want to do anything.” Saxon sounded like he was scolding him.

  “I didn’t growl.” Trev’s voice still held a sharp bite to it.

  “I want a drink,” Eliza said. “Can I have the Mint Julip Gold Cup?”

  “Isn’t that thirty-five hundred dollars?” Saxon asked, sounding annoyed.

  Eliza lifted her shoulder. “They have sapphires on them this year. I know they are sold out and there was only fifty made but I also know Trev is a Hughes.”

  “Let me see what I can do,” Trev replied.

  Saxon looked at me. “Does that mint julep taste okay in the regular cup?” He was smirking.

  I nodded, but didn’t look back at Trev or Eliza.

  “Sorry about him. Trev isn’t normally so tense,” Saxon whispered.

  I managed to smile as I looked up at him. “No worries.”

  His gaze dropped to my drink. “If you want a Gold Cup though, he can get you one. Hughes have power here that most don’t. Garrett probably bought most of the damn things anyway.”

  I didn’t know much about cocktails or mint juleps, but I thought it was rather nice. I didn’t know what a Gold Cup meant, but I did know there was no way I would drink something that cost that much.

  “This one is delicious.”

  He flicked his eyes back over my shoulder, then back to me. “It’s a very expensive collector’s item that Woodford Reserve sells every year.”

  My eyes widened. “I prefer this free one.”

  He chuckled.

  The next race was announced, and Saxon leaned into me with excitement dancing in his expression. “Almost time.”

  I asked him more questions about Rig and Moses Mile. He answered them with enthusiasm, and it was clear he loved horses and racing. I enjoyed listening to the passion in his voice about it all.

  Five

  Gypsi

  Rig won his race, and Saxon took me with him to the winner’s circle. Photographers took pictures, and Saxon put his arm around my waist, then told me to smile. For a moment, I panicked. But this wouldn’t be the kind of news that would be seen by everyone. It should be fine. I hated living in fear all the time.

  The frenzy was addictive, and when we went back to the suite for the next few races, Trev wasn’t around. I found myself enjoying Saxon’s company. The next race, Moses Mile had another horse racing, which came in third, and then the last one, they came in second.

  When the Kentucky Derby race began, the suite was full, and I noticed Trev standing with Eliza on the other side. Garrett and Mom came to stand with us, and Mom looked from Saxon to me, then gave me a wink. She was getting the wrong idea, but I didn’t say anything. She so desperately wanted me to date again. I would soon. When I knew I could do so safely. Garrett spoke with Saxon, congratulating him on the earlier win.

  The loud horn blew, and cheering filled the air. Mom squeezed my arm, and I glanced back at her to see the exhilaration on her face. She was loving this. Saxon cheered on Cohiba as if he were one of his horses running. I liked that about him. He was one of the best kind of friends. The good guy always was.

  When Cohiba’s name was called, the entire suite erupted, and in the frenzy of it all, I turned and hugged Saxon. When I looked back at Mom, she was wrapped in Garrett’s arms. He was looking down at her with an affectionate smile. I wanted to be happy for her. She was having a wonderful time. I just didn’t know if she realized this man was as serious about her as he was.

  He whispered to her, and she nodded before they began to walk off. I knew the direction they were headed was to the winner’s circle. She’d been there several times today, but this was the main show. The big one. Mom was going to love this.

  Saxon leaned down close to my ear. With all the noise, it was hard to hear him any other way. “Want to hang around here for the celebration party, or do you need to go change or anything before?”

  Trev was supposed to get me back to wherever I was expected to go after. I looked around to ask him about that since the party hadn’t been mentioned, but he and Eliza were walking behind Mom and Garrett as they headed for the circle.

  I looked back at Saxon. “I’m not sure. Garrett told Trev to get me where I needed to go after, but he’s got to go do the winner’s circle stuff. If you need to leave, I can wait here until they’re done.”

  Saxon glanced back to where I knew the others were headed. “I’m not certain if he remembers that. He’s been drinking pretty heavily. I’ll check with Levi. He can get directions from Garrett faster than I can. Come this way,” he said to me, then placed a hand on my back and led me over to a couple of men standing at the exit of the suite.

  Both of them were tall with wide shoulders, their arms crossed over their chests like they were security of some kind.

  The one with light-brown hair pulled back in a knotted bun turned to see us, and his gaze locked on me. His eyes traveled down my body before a slow smile curled his lips.

  “Levi,” Saxon greeted him, and he shifted his focus to him. “This is Fawn Parker’s daughter, Gypsi. I need to know where Garrett would like me to escort her from here.”

  He didn’t mention that Trev had been given this job, but I figured it didn’t matter. Garrett would see Trev had a date with him now.

  Levi nodded, then stepped away.

  “Kye,” Saxon said to the blond guy with tattoos covering his arms. “This is Gypsi Parker. Gypsi, this is Kye.”

  The guy smiled at me and nodded his head. “Nice to meet you,” he drawled, but he didn’t move to shake my hand.

  He remained in his bodyguard stance. Was that what he was?

  Levi was back almost immediately. “Garrett said to take her back to the hotel so she can get ready for the party. Her mother will stop by to check on her from there.”

  “Thanks,” Saxon replied. Then, he looked down at me. “That sound good to you?” he asked me.

  The thought of getting alone time and a hot shower sounded wonderful.

  I nodded. “Thank you,” I told him, feeling bad that he’d suddenly become my keeper.

  He bent his elbow and held his arm out to me with a grin. I lifted my gaze to look up at him again.

  “Come on. We’re friends now. We derby’d together,” he teased.

  I stepped forward and took his arm. This day had been nothing like I’d expected.

  We left the suite and turned to head in the opposite direction as the winner’s circle. My eyes, however, landed on Trev as he whispered in Eliza’s ear, making her smile. Cameras flashed around them, and for a moment, I envied her, but I knew that I couldn’t have done that. The actual Kentucky Derby winner would be all over the media. Photos splashed everywhere. That was a risk I wasn’t taking.

  Apparently, there was a winner’s circle party that we would be attending, but after it was over, Garrett had his own private party that we would move to.

  I was limited on time to get changed and refreshed for the winner’s circle party. Saxon had said he’d be back for me and escort me there. He had seemed to want to do it, so I didn’t argue or tell him he didn’t have to. After all, I did feel as if we had forged a friendship today. One I wished I could keep. Maybe I’d feel safe enough to do so soon.

  The soft, shiny chiffon of my dress hit just below mid-thigh and clung to my body. The back was a low drop with spaghetti straps that sparkled even more than the black shimmer of the rest of the material. Thankfully, there was no hat tonight. I pulled my curls up with a silver clip that was hidden under my hair to get it off my back and neck.

  Mom had stopped by on her way to make sure I was having a good time and ask me about Saxon. She’d met his parents, and she said his mother had seemed thrilled that he was spending time with me. It had been a short visit, but she’d been so vibrant and ready for the evening that I hadn’t wanted to keep her.

  The doorbell startled me. I’d never known hotel rooms to have doorbells, but then this was more like an apartment. Slipping on my shoes, I headed for the door.

  Opening it, I smiled at Saxon, then held up a finger. “Give me one minute,” I told him, then bent down to fasten the strap around my ankle.

  When I managed it, I stood up and started to apologize for not being ready when my eyes locked on Trev walking out of his door across the wide hallway. The smile that lit up his face was completely different from the angry Trev earlier.

  “My friends!” he called out.

  Saxon turned then to see Trev heading toward us. “Ready to go celebrate?”

  “Hell yeah, I am,” Trev replied. “I think I’m supposed to pick up Eliza, but I can’t remember where I left her. Besides, I have my dates.” He walked up to Saxon and threw his arm around his shoulders. Then, he smacked a loud kiss on Saxon’s cheek and threw out his other arm. “Come here, Lollipop.”

  “Lollipop?” Saxon asked.

  Trev grinned. “Yep. Lollipop. Her lips are fucking sweet. Taste like candy.”

  My gaze swung to Saxon, and he raised his eyebrows.

  “It wasn’t like that. I was supposed to kiss his cheek, and he turned his head at the last minute,” I explained, feeling my face heat up from even having to explain this. I probably hadn’t needed to, but it’d made me sound bad. Or maybe Tyde’s words were still controlling me.

  Trev laughed. “I got moves.”

  Turning away from them, I closed the door and took a second to regroup before facing them.

  Trev held out his arm. “Come on, Lollipop. This is your side.”

  Not wanting to make this weird, I walked over to him, and he slung his arm around my shoulders. Then, he pressed his lips against my cheek. The scent of whiskey on his breath was intense. Saxon had been right. Trev was drunk.

  “Let’s go do this thing,” he announced and started walking us to the elevator.

  I wasn’t sure how long we were supposed to walk like this, but it was going to be difficult for us to get into the elevator this way.

  “Do I need to text Eliza and find out if you’re supposed to pick her up?” Saxon asked.

  Trev turned to look down at me. “Is that what I should do?”

  Why was he asking me? “Yes, if she is expecting you to pick her up, then that would be a good idea.”

  He frowned. “Sax always does the right thing. He’s good like that.”

  The elevator opened, and Saxon moved out from under Trev’s arm. “Come on in, and I’ll text her. Is she staying here?”

  “No fucking clue,” Trev replied, then laughed as he dropped his arm from around my shoulders, letting it go to my lower back. When his hand touched my skin, he stilled, then peered over my shoulder to look at my back. “Damn, Lollipop. I like this dress.”

  “Easy there, Romeo,” Saxon said to him.

  Trev turned his attention to Saxon, but his hand didn’t leave my back. “What? I do. It’s hot. The damn thing doesn’t have a back. She looks hot, doesn’t she?”

  Saxon glanced up at me, then back at his phone. “Yes, she looks beautiful.”

  Trev groaned, and his hand fell away from me as he leaned against the elevator wall. “Why do you have to be so damn charming? I can’t compete.”

  Saxon grinned, shaking his head. “We’ve been best friends most of our lives, Trev. You’ve never once needed to compete with anyone. Your game is strong.”

  Trev swung his head back around to look at me. “You think my game is strong, Lollipop?”

  I opened my mouth and closed it. How did I answer this? Carefully, I decided. Very carefully. “Yes, you’ve got excellent pickup lines,” I assured him.