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Annalise could tell things changed between them after the exchange with David. While David appeared to be a nice guy, Annalise could tell that Veronica didn’t see him as anything more than an associate, and he didn’t fully put it together. She'd let him down easy, which was probably for the best.
Annalise sat in the next panel, taking notes and listening. This one was about the importance of workplace image. Annalise could tell it did have something to do with them. While they didn't flaunt their relationship, it was evident that they would need to keep everything professional, regardless of what they did after their trip. Annalise didn't mind that. She knew that they could have a professional relationship, but also be lovers.
That was what she wanted. Instead, Annalise felt like it was right to have Veronica by her side, to have Veronica stand by her and be a great partner in different ways.
After the last meeting, both Annalise and Veronica were hungry.
“Want to stop at the restaurant here?” Annalise asked.
"I know of another one. It's down the walkway in another hotel. But, I'd like to take you out tonight, if that's okay," Veronica offered.
Annalise could see the redness on her face, the way that Veronica looked as she uttered those words. She was stunning, and Annalise couldn’t help but admire her beauty.
“Yes, let’s do that,” she replied.
They went back up to the room to change before heading downstairs. Annalise put on a black dress, which complimented her red hair well, and Veronica threw on a slinky red dress, which made her look seductive and alluring. As Annalise saw the curves she had hugged by the dress, she couldn’t help but stare. Veronica saw it, grinning excitedly at Annalise’s look.
“Like what you see?” she teased.
“Yeah,” Annalise replied.
The two of them went to the walkway, and as they crossed over, Annalise felt Veronica grasp her hand. Annalise felt a warmth rush over her, grasping it back.
“You seem happy to hold my hand.”
“I’m trying to be more comfortable with it. I know it’s a bit different for both of us, but I like the way that it feels,” she told Annalise with a smile.
Annalise grinned back. “I like it too.
When they got to the fork in the path, Veronica took a right. The path took them over to a flashy part of the area, and the walkway led to both a casino and a beautiful dining place.
“Wow,” Annalise said.
“I’ve always been curious about this place. I overheard someone talking about it earlier, so I wanted to check it out,” Veronica said.
Annalise nodded. “That’s fine by me,” she said.
“I’m starving,” Veronica.
“Same here. Those meetings take a lot out of you,” Annalise said.
“I’m used to it, but my stomach still isn’t,” Veronica said.
Annalise laughed
“You know, I’m glad that I have you,” Veronica said, changing the atmosphere.
“Really?”
"Yeah. You make things fun. I've always been too serious, but when I'm near you, I feel like I don't have to be. Rather, I feel happy with everything, and I don't feel as stressed out," Veronica admitted.
“You do look happier,” she replied.
“I am. Honestly, Annalise, things haven’t been easy. I’ve always been forced to act like I don’t care about anyone. I’m sorry if I ever came off like that, but it’s just I’ve been forced to close up all of my emotions in the past. It’s because of some personal things,” she said.
Annalise wanted to know, but she didn’t want to pry.
"It's okay. You're with me now. We can have fun together, and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Annalise said.
“Thank you, Annalise. I do appreciate this,” she said.
"I do as well. I care about you a lot. I know that you have a strong façade, but if you need to break down and tell me about your issues, you're always welcome to."
Annalise could see the look on Veronica’s face. She was thinking about it. Veronica wanted to say something, but she held herself back.
"I might later. Let's get some food and have fun," Veronica said.
The subject soon got dropped. Annalise didn't want to bother her anymore about it. After they ordered dinner, the conversation turned to both personal and business stuff. It was so easy to talk to Veronica, that Annalise couldn't see her really with anyone else.
That’s why she knew she was in love.
She didn't have to fake it with Veronica. They were real to each other. While she did mess up in the past, it was apparent that they were over it. They were friends before lovers, and with the way they conversed, it was evident that it would always be like that.
After that, the two went to the casino. It was a bustling place, and while Annalise wasn’t the biggest gambler, she did like to look around at the place.
“Do you want to try it out?” Veronica asked.
“Yeah. Let’s do it,” she said.
Veronica took Annalise over to one of the attendants, getting fifty dollars to use on some of the machines.
“Let’s try the slots first,” Annalise said.
Annalise had a good feeling about them. She sat down, with Veronica over her. Her hand was right next to Annalise’s own, and after she put the coins in, the reels started to move.
“Want to do it together?” Veronica asked.
Annalise grinned, and soon, they pushed down on it.
The machine stopped, with the numbers lining up. Annalise’s eyes widened.
“Oh my God, we won!” she said.
It wasn’t the jackpot, but they managed to win a thousand dollars.
“We did!” Veronica replied.
Maybe lady luck was on their side when it came to their relationship, and perhaps their future.
They tried a few more games, winning some and losing some, but Annalise wanted to play it safe. She knew how gambling could get, and the last thing that she wanted was for them to lose out on money. They cashed in their earnings and left the casino.
“That was fun,” Annalise said.
“It was,” Veronica replied.
They walked around the hotel, with Annalise being led around by Veronica. Annalise loved how Veronica took charge, the way she seemed adamant upon taking her somewhere nice. Annalise noticed they were near the little boat ride, and when they got to the entrance, Veronica turned to her.
“I want to go on the boat with you,” she said.
“I want to as well,” Annalise said.
They stepped into the boat, and when the door closed, Annalise realized the proximity of their bodies. Their thighs were touching, their shoulders brushing, and as Annalise realized that, she felt a flush ghost against her face. The boat moved, and soon, it was dark.
The dark intimacy of the place felt both nice, yet slightly worrisome.
“There’s something I want to tell you now,” Veronica said.
Annalise looked at Veronica’s shadow, seeing the way that she hid her face. Maybe that was the reason why she chose to go on this ride.
“What is it?” she asked.
Veronica turned to her, moving in closer and pressing her lips to Annalise’s. Annalise could barely see anything, just felt the touch of her lips. But there was something else there.
Tears.
Annalise pulled back, touching her shoulder. She kept her eyes focused on the shadow, looking at her.
“What’s the matter?” Annalise said.
“I don’t deserve you,” Veronica said.
“No, you do. I feel like I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you,” Annalise admitted.
"No. I'm sorry for never being open about our relationship. I've been scared to be," Veronica admitted.
“Why’s that?” Annalise asked.
“Because...I’ve never felt this way before,” she said.
“What kind of way?” Annalise asked.
The ride soon left the little tunnel, and Veronica gained her composure.
“I’ll tell you upstairs,” Veronica said.
Annalise was frustrated that Veronica held off, but she knew why. Veronica had to keep her image, her confident demeanor, and Annalise was the only one who knew that Veronica was holding back. She knew that Veronica was holding back her feelings, and while she did understand, she hoped that soon, Veronica would be more open about the way that she felt.