Chapter 9 #2
"A certain Rolex-wearing man paid me this hundred to make sure he got the table in the back corner. I also had to ask you to join him for a drink. He says he's going to pay you two hundred dollars just to sit with him for fifteen minutes and have a drink. He wants to get to know you."
I slammed down the compact I was holding. "Are you fucking kidding me with that, Jaz? And news alert, asking for the dark corner table is not a 'hey, I just want to get to know you move.'"
"That's why I'm going to station Oscar nearby. Look, I think he's on the up-and-up. He seems like a respectable guy, and he's interested in you, Ray. Maybe you're missing an opportunity to meet a quality man."
"A Rolex and an expensive car don't mean he's respectable," I argued.
Jasmine pursed her lips. "Are you sure? Sounds respectable in my book."
"That's because you're constantly reading those billionaire romances where the downtrodden Cinderella type ends up charming the rich prince. That's all fairy tales and spicy novel stuff, Jaz. It doesn't exist in real life."
"Suit yourself. I don't see how there's a downside, and two hundred bucks is a nice upside." Jasmine patted my hand. "You know I'd never put you in a dangerous situation. Don't Oscar and I always have your back?"
I sighed and tilted my head in the mirror as I looked at her. "Two hundred dollars just to sit and have a drink with the man. But I'm still on the clock?"
"Of course, and Oscar will be watching to make sure he doesn't try anything."
"Fine, but I'm wearing my shorts and sweatshirt out there."
"He didn't mention any rules of dress, so I'm sure that's fine." Suddenly, she was having second thoughts. "Or I could just walk out there and tell him you're not interested."
"No, I need the money, Jaz. My life's taken so many bad turns this week that I'm in no position to turn down an easy two hundred dollars. He'd better not be lying about the money."
"If he is we'll have Oscar turn him upside down, hang him by the ankles and shake him till that expensive watch and his wallet fall to the ground."
I smiled and gave her a quick hug. "I'll be right out."
"I'll let him know. What drink should I get you?"
"Just a glass of Chablis."
I brushed my hair, grabbed a mint from my locker and double checked my makeup in the mirror.
It was dark in the barroom, especially at that corner table.
It was a table a lot of men reserved when they didn't want to be spotted sitting at a strip club.
Maserati man, as we'd nicknamed him, often sat back there.
I'd seen his dark gaze watching me from the shadows, but this was the first time he'd ever asked to meet me.
I was a touch nervous as I left the dressing room but then I spotted Oscar's hulking silhouette standing just opposite the corner table. He caught my attention and winked. I was in no danger. Oscar would make sure of that.
Jasmine caught me halfway across the room and handed me a glass of wine. "If anything feels off, just get up, and Oscar will kick him out."
"It'll be fine." I discreetly set an alarm for fifteen minutes. I didn't plan to sit there one minute longer.
Irene, a crowd favorite, was on stage. She loved to dance to heavy metal so there was lots of noise in the bar. I reached his table. He waved his long fingers toward the chair across from him. I wouldn't be sitting within groping distance, so that was a bonus.
"I would have pulled out the chair for you, but I didn't want you or the very large man standing behind us to think that I was making a move on you."
I pulled out the chair and sat down. He was handsome with even features, a straight nose and brown eyes.
His dark hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a pale green dress shirt under a black suit and tie.
Everything about him was neat and tidy. "My name is Evan.
" He reached across to shake hands but paused.
"I understand if you don't want to shake. "
I shrugged and pressed my hand into his.
"Rachel." He held my hand for a moment as he gazed at my face, then smiled and let go.
His smile was very nice. Nothing splashy and not heartthrob level, but it was nice.
I could smell his expensive cologne. He lifted his glass of bourbon with his left hand, and even in the dimly lit corner, I spotted the tan line on his ring finger.
It wasn't unusual to see a ring finger tan line in Tommy's.
He leaned back casually, and the movement sent some more cologne my direction. It was a nice fragrance. "So, Rachel, did you have professional training? As a dancer, of course" he added briskly.
I smiled. "Nice save," I said. "And only if you count dance lessons when I was a kid as professional training. Still, I've always loved to dance. I'm not sure if my twelve-year-old self ever pictured me spinning on a stripper pole, but I actually enjoy dancing on stage."
His head tipped slightly to the side as he gazed at me and didn't say anything.
I picked up the glass and took a few sips of wine. "Sorry, I guess that was more information than you wanted."
"Not at all. I'm just enjoying sitting here, listening to you and watching you drink that wine."
I felt a warm blush cover my face, and I nervously sipped more wine, then decided he was watching my mouth far too keenly and put the glass down. "So, Evan, tell me about yourself. The Rolex and the luxury car in the parking lot tell me you're no slouch."
He chuckled. "I've been fortunate in life. Not always, of course. In fact, growing up we spent a few holidays at homeless shelters. But I got myself through school and college and things just took off in the right direction."
"Nice. It's always good to be financially secure. I'm sure you know that especially given your childhood. It's always a much bigger success story if you've come from humble beginnings."
He sat forward. More cologne and I realized his eyes were actually dark blue and not brown. "See, I knew you were different than the other dancers. I sensed a deeper, more thoughtful quality in you."
I laughed. "Yes, very deep considering I'm sitting here because of the two hundred dollars." My fingers flew to my mouth. "That was harsh."
"But honest. Another virtue. In my line of work, I meet far too many dishonest people."
It was my turn to sit forward with interest. "Just what is your line of work? High-powered lawyer?" A logical guess given the mention of dishonest people.
"I'm in shipping and exports."
I squinted at him. "Isn't that the answer people usually give when they're up to something sketchy?"
He chuckled. It was nice and deep. "I suppose so, but I really am in shipping and exports. And talking about it is boring as hell. So, you have a child?"
For the first time since I sat down, I bristled and mentally questioned my decision to sit with him. He caught on to my sudden shift in temperature.
"I'm sorry. I haven't been spying on you or following you around or doing background checks, if that's what you were thinking."
I fidgeted with the stem of the wineglass. "I wasn't until just now when you brought up those possibilities. Maybe we should end this conversation."
Oscar sensed things were getting tense and moved closer.
Evan put up his hand. The dim lights reflected off his platinum watch band.
"Wait." He looked at Oscar. "I appreciate what you're doing, keeping an eye on her, but I promise, I'm not up to anything nefarious.
" He turned back to me. "I guessed you had a kid because I've seen you rush in late and harried and still trying to wipe something sticky off your hands. I concluded that you had a child."
Admittedly, his explanation was charming. I nodded to Oscar that he could relax. "I have a child, but that's all I'm going to say."
"But you're—you're a single mom? I just assumed—" he glanced at my hand. "No ring."
"Unlike the white stripe on your finger where I can only assume your wedding ring sits when you're not at the club."
He stared down at his hand. "Thought it was dark enough in here." He lifted his gaze. "It's a complicated relationship."
I shook my head. "I don't need to hear. You live your life, and what you do in your spare time is your business. Do you have children?" I asked.
Again, his face dropped. "Two. They're eight and ten, and I adore them."
"So, your whole life is going swimmingly, the high-paying job, and given the car you drive, I'm sure you don't park it in front of a rundown apartment, so I'm guessing you live in a beautiful house and you have kids you adore but your marriage is complicated?
I wish I had those kinds of complications.
" I sat back. "Sorry. That sounded pathetic.
I guess I'm just wondering why you're coming into Tommy's so much. "
He lifted his face. "To see you."
"But how did you know I worked here?"
Evan adjusted the heavy watch on his wrist. "That came out wrong. Again, I promise I wasn't stalking you."
I smiled weakly. "Me thinks the man doth protest too much."
His smile was appealing. "I guess so." He leaned back and loosened his tie a bit.
"I came in here one night just to have a few drinks and forget my rough day.
You see, success doesn't always mean you skate through life without any problems. Anyhow, I sat right there at that table, drowning my sorrows in scotch, and then this woman glided onto stage on the longest, most amazing pair of legs I'd ever seen and she—well—she stole my breath away.
Her face, her smile, the way she moved on stage.
I would love to leave out the word obsession, but I won't. Like you say, protesting only makes me look guilty. "
I stiffened.
"You're already reacting to that word, and I don't blame you.
" Evan leaned forward. He reached across, but I kept my hands in my lap.
"This has never happened to me before. I leave here thinking about you.
I wake up thinking about you. And now you've sat here and confirmed my theory that you are not just a pretty dancer.
You're someone who I want to get to know.
All the layers. I could sit here and talk to you all night, Rachel. "
My phone alarm went off making me jump, which in turn made Oscar jump. I winked at him to let him know I was fine. I turned off the alarm.
I felt another blush come on. "Jasmine said you asked for fifteen minutes, and I'm still on the clock," I added, so it wouldn't sound so harsh.
I wasn't entirely sure how to absorb what he'd said.
My intuition was usually good when it came to men, and none of the typical alarm bells, aside from my phone, were going off.
Evan reached into his pocket and handed me two crisp hundred-dollar bills.
He stuck to his word. I took the money and folded it.
"Thank you." The silence between us felt suddenly awkward.
The chat was ending on him basically hanging his heart out on his sleeve.
I had no idea what to say in reply. "It's been nice talking to you, Evan," I finally managed to choke out.
"Yes, it's been very nice, Rachel."
I got up and tried not to scurry like a frightened mouse to the back, but I could feel his gaze on me and I found myself scurrying anyway. I landed in the dressing room and found myself trying to catch my breath.
Jasmine rushed in behind me. "What happened? You looked like you were hurrying away. Did he try something? I'll have Oscar get rid of him."
"No, it was fine, Jaz. He was a gentleman." My heart rate was slowing down. I opened my hand and showed her the money. "Two hundred bucks. This will come in handy."
"It sure will. So, what did he say? Who is he? Why did he ask you to sit with him? Is he interested?" Jasmine asked anxiously.
"He's married."
Jasmine's enthusiastic posture deflated. "Shit. Aren't they all. Oh well, at least you got some nice money out of the deal." She walked out.
I stared down at the money on my palm. "Yeah, at least there's that," I muttered to myself.