Chapter 7
LOLA
Willa and I had no idea what to wear to a strip show. We weren’t sure what was appropriate, but we figured that since we were watching men undress in a sexy way, we were allowed to wear something sexy too.
While Willa wore a tight dress with heels, I decided on a mini skirt and a pretty top, completing the outfit with my favorite high heeled boots.
We kept our makeup light and natural, and I straightened my hair after curling Willa’s blonde hair.
We decided to Uber to The Hot Spot. It was a ten minute drive, and we couldn’t be bothered to walk all that way. Like we did last weekend to get to Benson’s party. We were too exhausted from working all week, and our feet just needed a break from standing and walking.
After getting out of the car, we checked ourselves in the tinted windows, adjusting our hair and clothes before we were ready to head into the bar.
“Ready?” I asked, looking over at her as she touched up her lipstick.
“Readier than ever. I wanna see some abs!”
I laughed as I hooked my arm around hers, and guided her to the entrance of The Hot Spot.
“Did you bring your ID?” I asked her as we walked down a narrow, dark corridor. There was a double door further down, with a pink neon sign above it.
“Yes, I did. I’m more prepared for tonight than I had ever been for any exam I ever had to take.”
“Good. Me too,” I said, truthfully.
I had a feeling that tonight would change my life.
Good things simply happened to me, and good karma was always on my side. I never harmed or hurt anyone, and my conscious was clear. I had never regretted anything in my life, simply because I only ever chose to do things that felt right.
I never said yes when I truly meant no, and I never let anyone pressure me into doing things I didn’t want to do. I kept my side of the street clean, just like the queen herself, Taylor Swift, said.
My goal wasn’t to talk to them or get their attention though. Tonight, all I wanted was to watch them dance, and have a good time with Willa.
The double doors opened automatically as we approached, and a man with slicked-back hair and a clean-shaven face welcomed us with a smile. “Ladies, welcome to The Hot Spot. May I see your tickets and IDs, please?”
“Of course.” I reached into my small purse and pulled out my phone where I had the tickets on, and after displaying them to him, I slid my ID out of the inner side pocket and held it out to him.
Willa did the same, and he shone his little light onto our cards to read our birthdays.
“Perfect, thank you. May I just say you look beautiful tonight. Please go ahead and walk right down this hall until you get to a red door. It will slide open automatically, and from there on, take a seat wherever you like.”
“Awesome, thank you!” Willa said, smiling up at him.
“You’re more than welcome. Enjoy the show.”
I thanked him and started to walk, but Willa kept standing there, still staring up at that guy. I stopped and turned, taking in the scene.
They were both holding each other’s gazes, and for some reason, it looked like they had done that many times before.
I was amused by what I was seeing, and if I weren’t mistaken, Willa just developed the biggest crush on that man.
“I’m Morris, by the way,” he told her, holding out his hand.
She bit her bottom lip and slid her hand in his. “I’m Willa. It’s nice to meet you, Morris.”
“I might just call you Angel. You look like one.”
I watched them stare into each other’s eyes, and while it was cute at first, it started to feel awkward. At least, for me it did.
I felt like the third wheel to whatever intimate moment they were having.
When I cleared my throat, they both turned their heads to look at me, and I raised a brow, grinning at them. “Hate to interrupt, but there’s super-hot strippers waiting in there. I really don’t want to miss the show.”
Willa pressed her lips together tightly as she looked back at Morris. “I don’t think I need to see those super-hot strippers now that I’ve seen you.”
Morris chuckled, and I rolled my eyes, laughing at her way too honest words. God, she was brave.
“Are you single?” Willa asked.
“I sure am.”
“Can I have your number then?”
I watched them exchange numbers, and before Willa continued to follow me down the hall, he leaned in to kiss Morris’s cheek. They gave each other one last longing look before Willa finally reached me, hooking her arm around mine.
“I think I just fell in love.”
“I could see that. You didn’t ask for his age,” I pointed out, knowing that Willa wasn’t much into older guys. Morris, though, did look a bit older.
“You’re right…but he didn’t look that old. Maybe…late thirties?”
I shrugged. “You’ll find out soon enough. You got his number.” I grinned at her.
“I sure did! And you know what? I will actually try and get him to take me out. I felt a connection.”
Willa felt connections with everything. Animals, plants, food. But she truly was someone who knew when someone else was right for her. Friendship wise or not, she picked the people around her with care, just like I did.
We went through the sliding door once it opened for us, and we stopped as we saw the bar for the first time.
There were round tables and chairs everywhere, with a bar area in the back, and a small stage in the front. The room was dimly lit in a sensual purple color, and there was music playing from speakers, but only loud enough to still hear each other speak.
“Just how I imagined a strip club to look like,” Willa admitted.
“Same. And it smells good in here, too. I guess it’s not a normal bar where people smoke all the time.”
“You’re right. So? Where do we sit?”
There were already a couple of tables occupied, and while all of those women were sitting in the front right where the stage was, we decided to take a seat at one of the tables closer to the bar.
“Perfect. We have a great view of the stage and are close to the drinks.”
“Speaking of…would you like one already?” I asked, hanging my purse over the back of the chair.
Willa already sat down. She looked up at me and nodded. “A Moscow Mule, please.”
We both had our signature drinks. While for Willa it was a Moscow Mule, an Espresso Martini was always my choice. I headed to the bar, with my credit card ready to pay on my phone, and I waited for the barkeeper to turn his attention to me.
I smiled when he looked at me, and he came over with a tiny smirk spread across his lips. “What can I get you?” he asked, leaning forward with his elbows on the counter.
“An Espresso Martini and a Moscow Mule, please. Oh, and two shots of Smirnoff Raspberry, please.”
He immediately started to make the drinks, and while he did, I turned my body to look at the stage. I was fascinated by this place, and while bars and clubs normally made me feel uncomfortable, this one gave me a sense of comfort.
“First time here?” the barkeeper asked.
“Yes, and I’m impressed. Is it always this clean?”
“Clean?”
“I mean the air. I don’t like smelly places, and this one just smells like a freshly baked lemon cake,” I told him, laughing softly as I looked at his amused face.
“I guess it does smell nice in here. Not like other bars, and I’ve worked in many. What’s your name?”
“Lola.”
“I’m Elia. I like your name.”
I smiled at him. “Thanks, I like yours too. Never heard of it.”
“My parents are Swiss, and it’s pretty popular over there.” He put a tray in front of me and set both drinks and the two shots on it. “It’s easier to carry this way. Don’t worry about the tray. I’ll come get it later.”
I picked it up and smiled at him one more time before thanking him and heading back to Willa. “Everyone here is extremely friendly. I think we should come back even when there’s no strip show going on.”
Willa laughed. “I will definitely have to come back anyway. Just for Morris.”
Right.
Almost forgot about the doorman who made her fall head over heels.
I sat down next to her and we both lifted a shot glass to make a toast. “To us!”
“And to the men who will soon be on that stage showing off their bodies and dancing for us,” Willa said, then she added. “And to Morris, because I will definitely let him take me out on a date as soon as possible.”