32

It wasn’t personal, the way I wanted her gift to be.

So, I’d reached out to the store and had them contact an artist, who painted Jo’s name on the inside of the bag along with a small skyline of Vegas above it.

I blew up the photo to get a better look. I knew nothing about purses, but the large red crocodile-looking-skin bag looked sexy as hell on her shoulder.

Me: It looks stunning on you.

“Who’s making you smile so hard?” Walter asked, returning from the restroom.

I glanced up from my phone, shoving it back into my pocket. “A business deal that just closed.”

“Bullshit.” He placed his napkin on his lap. “You’ve been in this business for far too long to get a hard-on over real estate. Plus, you’ve closed deals for me that have exceeded half a billion dollars, and I’ve never seen you smile like that. It’s a woman. Who is she?”

I shook my head. “Nah …”

“You think I don’t know what a man looks like when he’s in love? Come on, son. I’ve been around the block plenty of times in my old age.