“Sure.” I got up and joined her at the counter, leaning with my elbows on the cool surface as I watched her fixing our drinks. “I hated working for Antonio, but at least it was work. What am I going to do if I can’t find a new job?”
“Move your shit into my room so we can find a new roommate to cover your half of the rent?” she suggested as she placed two cups on the counter.
I hung my head and dragged my fingers through my loose hair, bringing one lock down to play with it in front of my eyes. “Do you really think it will come to that?”
“No.” She poured the steaming liquid into the waiting cups, added sugar, and handed mine over while wrapping her hands around her own. “I hope it won’t, but it might.”
“Fuck.” She was right, of course. Jobs weren’t just lying around outside waiting for someone to pick them up. At least I had Elena in my corner. She had no filter and no shame, but she was a damn good friend. “You hungry? I suddenly feel like cooking.”
“No shit?” She moved out of my way and took a seat on the other side of the counter. “If you’re going to be stress cooking and stress baking, we need to find you a new job ASAP. My ass can’t get any bigger or I’ll also be out of a job.”
I snorted. “Your ass is incapable of getting big enough to get you fired. You dance for hours every night.”
“True.” She flashed me a wide grin and shimmied her shoulders. “Speaking of which, I might be able to organize a job for you at the club.”
“No. I’m not built for that.” I wiggled my butt at her as I bent over to retrieve a pan. “See what I mean? No one will pay money for that.”
Her tinkling giggles filled the air. “You’d be surprised. It takes all kinds to keep the customers coming back. Not everyone is into small tits like mine. Some prefer round hips and actual asses.”
“Round hips and actual asses are one thing. I jiggle when I move, Elena. No one wants to see me take it all off. Trust me.”
When I turned around to gather the ingredients for crepes, I caught the edge of her smile. “That’s bullshit. You’re gorgeous. Men will drool if they see you walking onto that stage. Grab ahold of the pole, and other bodily fluids will be added to the mix.”
I grabbed a bag of flour, shaking my head as I rummaged around a drawer for our measuring cups. “I can’t do it, Elena. I just don’t have it in me.”
“But you could,” she quipped. “You could have whatever you wanted in you. Or whoever you wanted, if you prefer to think about it that way.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. Getting laid won’t get me out of this situation.”
“No, but allowing guys to fantasize about laying you just might.” She got up and pretended to grab onto a pole, walking in slow circles as she kept watching me. “I could show you some moves. It’ll be fun, and a job is a job.”
Walking to the fridge to get some eggs, I dragged in a deep breath. “You really think it’s a good idea? I’m mouthy. I can’t help it. The first time a customer reaches for me, they might just get a fist to the nose. I don’t think you want to be on the hook for recommending someone like that.”
A shrug lifted her shoulders before she resumed her imaginary dance. “If someone gives you trouble, all you have to do is call one of the bouncers. They’ll take care of it for you. I promise it’s a lot more fun than you think.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I gave up on mixing my batter, crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned my hip against the counter and watched her. “But I could never do that. I don’t move as well as you do.”
To prove my point, I started rolling my hips and stuck my arms up in the air.
Elena stopped dancing and arched a manicured brow at me. “What are you doing?”
“Dancing.” I stuck my chest out and ran my hands up and down my sides. “Sexy, isn’t it?”
“As fuck.” She burst out laughing, bending over from it as she kept her eyes on me. “That’s not dancing. It looks like a flamingo having a seizure.”
“Thanks.” I dropped my arms to my sides and decided to get back to making her breakfast. “See what I mean? I’m just not cut out for that kind of work.”
“We’ve been out together before. I know you’ve got moves.”
“That, I do. I’m an excellent swayer and I can jump up and down with my hands in the air like I just don’t care right along with the best of them. But that’s not really what’s required at your club, is it?”
She pursed her lips and pretended to consider my question seriously, tapping her chin with her forefinger. “It could be. There’s a market for just about anything. I’m sure there will be customers willing to pay to watch you jump around. I could ask at least.”
“Are you serious?” I whirled around to face her, my heart pounding until I saw the humor in her eyes. Her shoulders shook in silent laughter. “You had me going there for a minute.”
“Good, because I wasn’t really kidding. I was just laughing at how shocked you looked. Come on. Like I said, a job is a job. We’ll get to work together and I’m willing to bet you’ll get great tips.”
“Why?” I asked, bringing my hands up to my breasts and jiggling them a little. “Because of these girls? I promise you they won’t earn me tips. They might earn me a ride to the station in the back of a police car if someone tries to touch them. Otherwise, they’ll earn me a trip to the
