They sat me down and fixed me up in ten minutes. I was so grateful I nearly burst into tears.
“Thank you so much,” I said and hugged them when they declared me ready.
They all towered over me, mostly because of the sky-high heels they wore, but also because I was short, having inherited my Japanese mom’s build instead of my Swedish Viking dad’s height. I shot them a shaky smile and rushed out to the bar.
It was still early, but the club was already filled with patrons. Business was definitely booming, and it helped that this was the only strip club around for miles.
I pulled out my order pad and greeted the two bartenders, Martello and Stephen. They were here most nights and good guys if you didn’t try to give them a shitty tip.
My eyes didn’t linger on them long; instead, they were drawn to the man standing next to the stage. I could find Sebastian no matter how crowded the room was. Call it my secret superpower. The most useless one at that, but I always seemed to know where he was.
His blond curly hair was sticking up like he’d been running his hands through it. The muscles in his arms bulged when he crossed them over his chest, making me swallow. He was perfection in a six-foot-three package, and I’d felt an inexplicable attraction to him from the moment I first saw him a year ago.
Our interactions were limited to the occasional nod and looks—creepy stalker stares from me and assessing gazes from him.
Not that I’d tried to get his attention. I had no time to date. And the head of security, who was also a member of the local motorcycle club that owned the strip club, was definitely not a suitable match for a single mom.
Word was they’d gone legit, but nobody seemed to believe it. And I didn’t really make it my business to find out more about the motorcycle club. All I knew was Sebastian moved to town about a year ago when he also started working at the strip club.
I’d never seen him with a girl, but he might have one stashed away somewhere and didn’t bring her to the club.
Once I finished staring at him for the five seconds I allowed myself, I got to work.
The rest of the night kept my creep level to a minimum since I didn’t have time to do more than take a few sips of water every now and again. They really needed to hire more staff.
After fending off another slap to the butt, I leaned against the bar, eyeing the clock. One hour to go.
“Take a break. You look beat,” Stephen told me and nodded to the door.
I wasn’t about to argue since my feet felt like I was walking on nails. My new shoes would find a new home tonight in the trash can. Definitely not as comfortable as they looked.
“I’ll only be five minutes,” I called out, quickly making my way to the back.
Once in the dressing room, I pulled out my phone to check my messages.
Stella: Your kids are savages. They didn’t eat any of the cheese sauce, only the pasta. And who doesn’t love ice cream?
Stella: I mean, not that I gave them any. At least not much. Sorry, but they asked so nicely.
Stella: And they’re now sleeping like the little angels they are.
Stella: Hope you’re not creeping on hot security guy again.
I rolled my eyes and replied.
Me: They’re allowed ice cream, just not too much or the sugar will keep them up. It’s really more for your benefit than mine.
Me: And I’m not creepy. It’s only natural that my eyes would pass over him every once in a while. He’s here all the time.
Stella: Of course…
Me: Shut it, you’re making it sound like a bigger deal than it is. I should never have told you about him.
Stella: You are very talkative when you’re drunk. I especially enjoyed the part about his butt. Never knew there were so many words for lickable.
I wanted to die of mortification. This was why I never drank; I talked nonstop and had no filter.
Me: You better not have told anyone about this.
Stella: …
Stella: Only Malena.
Stella: And Willa.
Stella: Oh, and Maisie.
Me: You are the worst friend.
Stella: xx
I put my phone back and took a deep breath. I’d almost survived another night with only minor incidents. I could do this. I was a kick-ass bitch who took charge of her life. Even if that meant working at a strip club.
I made my way back out to the floor and finished my shift, making sure to catch another glimpse of Sebastian before driving home.
CHAPTER TWO
“My knees are cold,” Luca complained.
“I told you to wear long pants.”
He was looking out the window, never once taking his eyes off the front yard. “But I want to wear shorts.”
The small stool he was standing on provided him with just enough height to look outside so he wouldn’t miss my friend Malena pull up.
I put the last of the clean dishes away and walked over to him. “I know. That’s why your knees are cold.”
“Malena,” he exclaimed, cold knees forgotten. He raced to the door and opened it, disappearing outside. I followed at a slower pace, watching him come to a sliding stop in front of my best friend.
“Hey, buddy, how’s it hanging?” she asked and fist-bumped him before ruffling his hair.
He giggled and ran off with her son, Felix, the two disappearing inside the house. We probably wouldn’t see them again for the rest of the day.
Lena skipped up to Malena, who picked her up and carried her to where I was waiting.
“Thanks so much for watching him,” Malena said and hugged me, squashing Lena between us.
“No problem at all. We were just going to hang out at the house today anyway.”
It was one of those rare days that I didn’t have to work at
