Last Vegas

By Sass Everett

Everyone has their place—or so the stories go. As long as you don't look for it, you'll find it. If you try, you may never reach your final destination.

Esther doesn't care much for stories—she's just looking for a fresh start. One night, at the end of her journey, she meets three unexpected friends who help her find her way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sass Everett
• Release date: Jan 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224962037

Sass Everett

Sass Everett, also known as "Sassy," is a writer living in Ontario, Canada. In her free time, she enjoys baking, gardening, and freaking out about fictional characters. She is currently working on her first novella.

Book preview

Last Vegas

Sass Everett

Published by Sass Everett, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

LAST VEGAS

First edition. January 27, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Sass Everett.

Written by Sass Everett.

Also by Sass Everett

The Radio Voice

Last Vegas

Watch for more at Sass Everett’s site.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Sass Everett

Last Vegas

Sign up for Sass Everett's Mailing List

Also By Sass Everett

About the Author

The man behind the counter peers at the earrings from behind magnified glasses, his eyes bulging from the several lenses of magnification. He holds a light up to the last worthwhile thing she owns, and grunts. His lips curl into a scowl.

Esther had been told the earrings were genuine. Real gold. Real pearls. Just for her. They’d been given to her in a black box with a pink ribbon. The velvet had tickled the pads of her fingers and sent a nerve response through her teeth, like she was biting into a peach. The shiver had radiated in her gums and down her spine, but she knew how to control it. How to minimize her body’s reactions so she wouldn’t be seem desperate.

No one, besides her parents, had ever given her a gift like this. No one, not even her parents, had been so thoughtful. A black box, with two gold earrings hung with dewdrop pearls. So elegant, so above everything she’d ever been given. Grown up, like a heroine in a movie.

This was their love story.

It was Christmas. They’d been dating seven months, and she hadn’t bought him a gift. She hadn’t thought she could. This thing between them, these feelings that thrummed in her chest, didn’t seem to quite fit together. She had said she loved him once, but he had never answered. She had told herself it was healthy for that to happen—people don’t always fall in love at the same time. It was better to be truthful than to lie. But a Christmas gift seemed desperate. Drawing too much attention.

And then he’d turned it all around with a box and pink ribbon.

After the shock of the tears came the shame. She should’ve asked if they were planning to give gifts. Should’ve bought something, regardless. A watch, a comb. What do people give the ones they love? How does one say, I love you, but not too much. I appreciate you, but not too much. I want you, but not too much?

The man behind the counter grunts again, and sets the earrings back down in the worn, velvet box. He writes something on a piece of scrap receipt paper and slides it through a hole in the glass.

Best I can do is this.

His mouth is screwed downward; a frown full of regret. When she sees the number on the paper, she understands. She doesn’t know anything about jewellery, but she had assumed they’d be worth more. Real gold, real pearls: how couldn’t it be?

Are you sure?.

The man gives her a sure nod. Positive.

A sick twist in her stomach punches the breath from her. It’s... she murmurs. It’s... supposed to be real gold. Real pearls.

He lied, sweetheart.

The word is sticky on her skin. It reminds her of him.

You’re sure, she says again.

I wouldn’t lie.

Considering where they are—in the middle of absolute nowhere,