I smiled. This time it was a real one. ‘Well, you’re not getting rid of me that easily. As much as I’ve enjoyed sleeping on an air mattress at Jenny’s, I would really like to come home.’
‘Yeah, but what if you didn’t just come home?’ Alex shuffled around until he was on one knee. On one knee and holding my hand.
‘You don’t want me to come home?’ I was suddenly very confused. And the woman at the side of me was getting very excited.
‘OK, how about I give you this and you understand what I’m talking about?’ He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box.
My eyes widened to the approximate size of the moon and I instinctively slapped his arm. Quite hard.
‘Not entirely the reaction I was looking for.’ He pressed his lips together, cleared his throat and looked up at me. I had suddenly been overcome by a severe case of acute Tourettes and concentrated on trying to keep my mouth shut. ‘Angela Clark, since I met you, you’ve been nothing but trouble. Within a week of having you in my life your friend threw up on my couch, you didn’t put out for, like, ever, and every time you leave the state it’s one drama after another.’
I slapped him again. ‘I hope you’re going somewhere better with this.’
‘And you’re a total wife beater.’ He rubbed his injuries. ‘But I’ve also heard that you won a ton of money on the slots in Vegas, so that cancels that out.’
‘Phew.’ I looked up at the Christmas tree behind us and back down at Alex, wrinkling my nose to try to keep my tears at bay. ‘Go on. Say nice things now.’
‘And I know you won’t believe me now you’re some super-important publishing-type person with all of Vegas’s riches at your fingertips, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while.’ He handed me the box and nodded. ‘In my family, we get to open one present each on Christmas Eve.’
‘God, I hate when people do that.’ I really did. ‘It ruins Christmas morning, it—’
‘Will you please just shut up and open it?’ Alex said with some frustration. ‘It’s very cold and my knee hurts.’
‘You old romantic,’ I muttered, flipping open the box. For the first time that day, I was happy I wasn’t wearing an elasticated waist. Things like this did not happen to someone wearing pyjama jeans. I gasped. Inside the tiny velvet box was a beautiful emerald ring. A cushion-shaped solitaire set in a white band studded with tiny diamonds. All the lights of the Rockefeller Christmas tree reflected in them, making a rainbow. ‘Bloody hell.’
‘Yeah,’ Alex agreed. ‘Right?’
I finally managed to tear my eyes away from the ring and looked at him.
‘You can’t possibly expect me to wear this and not lose it?’ I was entirely serious.
‘I do expect you to wear it and I kind of expect you to lose it,’ he shrugged. ‘I had it insured.’ Alex slipped the ring out of the box and took my left hand in his and slid the ring onto my finger. Woah. So this was why Jenny had made me have a manicure. That sneaky cow.
‘I got it in Japan. We were walking around this vintage store and they had a bunch of really old jewellery. I saw this and I just knew. I saw it and I saw you and I saw me and I saw everything,’ he explained. ‘And I did my homework. Emeralds are associated with stability and balance as well as love, creativity and communication. So it seemed like the right way to go.’
‘You’ve had this since Japan?’ I asked. It was beautiful. Everything was so beautiful.
‘Yep.’ He curled my fingers closed and kissed my hand. ‘So, how do you feel about opening your Christmas present early?’
‘I don’t have yours.’ There was no point trying to stop the tears now, so I let them come.
‘I found the guitar under the sofa,’ Alex admitted. ‘I totally looked.’
‘Did you like it?’
‘It has Batman on it.’
I paused, breath bated.
‘I loved it.’
I knew it. Truly, we were soulmates. ‘In that case, I accept my present.’
Alex smiled. I smiled. He nudged himself closer and pressed his forehead against mine. ‘Angela Clark,’ he whispered. ‘Will you marry me?’
‘Yes,’ I replied, kissing him hard. Alex wrapped his hands in my hair and I rubbed my fingers over my new ring, PDA Nazis be damned. Behind Alex, the lights of the Christmas tree blurred with my tears and somewhere I could hear a choir singing. OK, so it was a hip-hop reinterpretation of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and not choirs of angels, but this was New York. I felt his lips curving happily against mine and I knew this was how it was meant to be.
‘Now go and get my boots back from Erin – my feet are freezing.’
‘Jesus, woman.’ He pulled my hair and kissed me again. ‘Are you going to be this difficult once we’re married?’
I think we both knew the answer to that.
Angela’s Guide to Vegas
HOTELS
The Cosmopolitan
This is a super new, super swanky rock and roll hotel. And I do mean rock and roll–loads of bands play at The Cosmopolitan and the rooms are tricked out with amazing hot tubs and super-luxe balconies with gorgeous views. If I had to live in a hotel, it would be this one.
Caesar’s Palace
To me, Caesar’s is proper Vegas. It is fully committed to its theme, the mall has an amazing animatronic battle of the gods type thing with a massively unsafe fire hazard. I love it. And Celine sings here. What more Vegas could you want?
Palms
Palms is set a little way back from The Strip which means it’s a little cheaper and a little calmer. As well as cool bars, clubs and a huge pool, it has an awesome spa with an outdoor hot tub. Go midweek, book yourself in and try not to cry about how happy you are when you have the whole place to yourself.
Imperial Palace
OK, so it’s not fancy but it’s a great location and they have a 24-hour-café that will serve you buckets of tea when you’re in need. Proper tea. If you’re looking for Vegas on a budget, this is a pretty decent option. But again, it is not fancy. No fanciness here.
RESTAURANTS
Nine @ Palms
This is one of Vegas’ more fancy-schmancy steakhouses. It’s at the Palms so again, off the Strip, but if you’re not staying here, you could do a lot worse than dinner at Nine, drinks at Ghostbar and dancing at Moon. Celebs do it. And isn’t that what Vegas is all about?
Bouchon @ The VenetianTouted as one of the poshest spots in all of Vegas, Thomas Keller’s flagship French dining spot at the Venetian is the perfect place for an uber celebration…like a wedding reception? Or simply if you want to eat more butter than it would take the average cow a year to produce. And they have cheese as a category on the menu. This pleases me.
Bellagio buffet
Everyone says the Bellagio buffet is the best buffet in Vegas and I’m inclined to agree. It sounds stupid but there is literally anything you can think of, from pizza to curry to eggs Benedict to fruit salad and chicken fried steak. Yeah, you heard me, chicken fried steak. Do it.
The Striphouse @ Planet Hollywood
The Striphouse is a great option if you want old-school glamour without leaving the Strip. Tucked away inside Planet Hollywood, it’s all dark wood and framed pin-up photos. Very sexy. Giant hunk of cow? Also very sexy. Possibly I’m a little odd.
BARS AND CLUBS
Ghostbar
Back out at Palms. Ghostbar sits on top of the hotel and has a huge glass platform so you can enjoy your cocktails, floating in thin air. It’s very swanky and the views are unsurpassable, bring your best heels ladies. Fellas, bring your best lines, the ladies are pretty intense.
Tryst
The nightclub at the Wynn is every bit as fancy as you would expect. Velvet ropes and pricey old drinks but it’s worth every penny. Where else can you dance in the open air next to a waterfall? A great dance party with a great atmosphere, definitely one for the to-do list.
Marquee
Super cool new club at The Cosmo
politan with a pool. Yes. A pool. For swimming. While clubbing. Even though it hasn’t been open that long, they’ve already pulled some of the biggest name DJs in the world–which would mean more to me if I knew anything about DJs. But I do know it’s cool. Because someone told me.
MUST SEES
Lion King
I love a musical. I love Disney movies. Should you choose to combine the two, add several frozen Dreamsicle cocktails and throw the whole lot into a Vegas blender, you get the most magical experience of all time. And if you’re very lucky, someone will shout ‘No Mufasa, don’t die!’ really loudly. And that someone will be me.
Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is an amazing sight at the best of times, but from a helicopter, it’s just stunning. Compared to the constant visual assault of Vegas, it’s a complete mindfuck. You must do this, it will be something you remember forever. Just don’t turn up hungover. For reals.
Stratosphere rides
Please take a moment to imagine the best rollercoaster you’ve ever been on and put it on the top of a hotel. That’s it. Honest. This place is absolutely worth the trek down to the ‘old end’ of the Strip if you’re a thrill seeker. And you’re in Vegas so surely you are?
Aquarium at Mandalay BayAside from musicals, Disney movies and rides on various things (get your mind out of the gutter), I love aquariums. I know that’s weird but I do. I’m scared of the ocean and terrified of big fish but I do like going to see them in their tanks. There’s something awesome about being face to face with a shark when it can’t eat said face. Tada!
WINA SHOPPING TRIP TO LAS VEGAS FOR YOU AND 3 FRIENDS!
* * *
To celebrate the release of I heart Vegaswe’re offering one lucky reader and three friends the chance to hit the shops big time in an amazing shopping trip to Vegas!
* * *
Las Vegas Premium Outlets– North® (www.premiumoutlets.com) is one of the world’s largest and most upmarket designer outlet centres, part of the Premium
Outlets® group which are found all across the USA, and one of two Premium Outlets centres in Las Vegas. Located just minutes from the Strip, and with savings of 25% to 65% every day, this is THE place to get a designer fashion fix.
In the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip, the Tropicana Las Vegas has recently undergone a major transformation. The fresh and vibrant new design spreads throughout this fabulous hotel with a flavour of a hot Havana night. At its centre is the 4-acre Nikki Beach with lush tropical landscaping and a pool with a private island, surrounded by secluded cabanas. The ultimate nightclub experience, this is now one of the city's hottest destinations.
One lucky fashionista and three guests will win a trip to Las Vegas including a $1,000 shopping spree at Las Vegas Premium Outlets– North®, return flights and three nights accommodation at the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel.
* * *
So if, like Angela, you love to shop as though your life depends on it, log onto www.iheartvegas.co.ukto enter this fabulous competition
* * *
Terms and conditions apply: The competition closes on 31 March 2012. The prize is based on four people sharing two double rooms on a room only basis. The prize is subject to availability and no cash alternatives will be offered. The prize includes four return economy flights from London to Las Vegas. Flights must be booked at least 45 days in advance of travel. Regional supplements may apply. The prize does not include transfers either in the UK or USA. The prize winners are responsible for ensuring they have valid passports, travel insurance and the correct visas where necessary. The competition is open to UK and Ireland residents only. Further details and full terms and conditions can be found online at www.iheartvegas.co.uk
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Top of my Christmas card list this year is … Rowan Lawton, the best agent & tour buddy a gal could wish for. Everyone at HCUK, especially Lynne, Thalia and Hana. I’m sorry I’ve taken so many years off your lives. Thanks to everyone at Marie Clairefor the amazing opportunities you’ve given me this year, especially Charlotte, Andrea and my twinsie, Kasie. And of course, a special thank you to Holly Patrick and Elinor Fewster – fag and a mag, anyone?
Without Sarah Donovan, I would never have made it through Vegas alive and without Jackie Dunning, Emma Ingram, Della Bolat, Sarah Benton, Kari Torson, Janet Bunde, Beth Ziemacki and Rachael Wright, I wouldn’t make it through every day alive.
So, you know, thanks kids.
About the Author
Lindsey Kelk is the author of I Heart New York, I Heart Hollywood, I Heart Parisand The Single Girl’s To-Do List. When she isn’t writing, reading, listening to music or watching more TV than is healthy, Lindsey likes to wear shoes, shop for shoes and judge the shoes of others. She loves living in New York but misses Sherbet Fountains, London and drinking Gin & Elderflower cocktails with her friends. Not necessarily in that order.
To find out more about the I Heartseries, sign up for the newsletter, read exclusive extracts and much much more, visit www.iheartvegas.co.uk
Follow Lindsey on Twitter @LindseyKelk
Other Books by Lindsey Kelk
I Heart New York
I Heart Hollywood
I Heart Paris
The Single Girl’s To-Do List
Jenny Lopez Has a Bad Week
(novella only available on ebook)
COPYRIGHT
This novel is entirely a work of fiction.
The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Harper
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
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A Paperback Original 2011
I HEART VEGAS. Copyright © Lindsey Kelk 2011. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Lindsey Kelk asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978 0 00 734562 5
EPub Edition © OCTOBER 2011 ISBN: 978-0-00-738345-0
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Lindsey Kelk, I Heart Vegas
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