Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
In Vegas after Foster’s title defense, Eloise loses her jacket and reconnects with Jasper, who returns it. Their chemistry spikes at the Bellagio fountains, culminating in near-kisses and playful banter. Embracing imperfection and spontaneity, a passerby’s joke about marriage prompts Jasper’s bold “Why not?”, raising the stakes of their flirtation.
Summary
Eloise and her sister Lyla, in Las Vegas for Foster Madden’s victorious UFC fight, leave an after-party early with sleepy handler Chase. On the walk back, Eloise realizes she left her favorite leather jacket at the club. She sends Lyla to the hotel and returns with Chase to retrieve it.
They run into Jasper Vale—Foster’s trainer—who has found Eloise’s jacket. Jasper dismisses Chase and stays with Eloise at the Bellagio fountains. Tipsy and uninhibited, Eloise flirts openly; Jasper plays along, even stripping off his shirt at her bold request, revealing his eight-pack and drawing onlookers’ attention.
As a fountain show begins, Jasper and Eloise nearly kiss but are jostled by the crowd. They lean together to watch, and Eloise shares a childhood story about embracing imperfection after botching a horse drawing for her dad, revealing her yearning for wild, unforgettable moments.
After the show, Eloise resists ending the night. Testing Jasper’s claim that he’s also drunk, she challenges him to do something spontaneous in Vegas. A passerby quips, “Get married.” Eloise scoffs, but Jasper counters, “Why not?”, leaving their flirtation teetering on a reckless next step.
Who Appears
- Eloise EdenNarrator; tipsy and candid in Vegas, loses her jacket, flirts with Jasper, embraces spontaneity.
- Jasper ValeFoster’s trainer; returns Eloise’s jacket, flirts back, strips off his shirt, suggests spontaneous marriage.
- Lyla EdenEloise’s sister; parties, gets tired, returns to hotel early after the fight celebration.
- ChaseYoung assistant assigned to watch Eloise and Lyla; exhausted, dismissed by Jasper after returning the jacket.
- Foster MaddenUFC middleweight champion; wins his fight and arranges security and accommodations for Eloise and Lyla.
- Talia EdenEloise’s sister and Foster’s girlfriend; celebrated privately with Foster off-page.