Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
KEELEY
As though stepping into a time warp, we push through the deep-red velvet curtain into another world, and my jaw drops.
I found a quirky bar online that moonlights as a burlesque club during the summer months, and when I sent it to the girls, it was a resounding yes for our night out.
Since I hadn’t actually been here before, the images online could have very well been too good to be true, but I’m happy to say, on first impression alone, I don’t think that’s the case.
A circular stage sits prominently in the center of the room, adorned with the same velvet curtains and gold trim.
Dancers line the stage with opulent corseted costumes embellished with sequins and lace.
In front of the stage is a wooden dance floor, while the rest of the dark room houses three deep mahogany bars, cabaret seating, and burgundy leather sofas.
I’d go as far as to say the picture online did not do it justice.
“Welcome to The Satin Rose. Do you have a reservation?”
The girls all look my way, and I laugh at the concern in their expressions. “I sure do. It’s under Keeley Reynolds. I reserved a booth.”
“Ooh, a booth.” Hayley whistles under her breath. “I love this place.”
The host directs us to our table and lights a dusty-pink candle before handing each of us a menu. “You’ll find all our cocktails here, but if you don’t see a favorite, rest assured, our bar staff are just as talented as our dancers. Have a lovely evening.”
She wanders away and all eyes are on me. “This place is incredible, Keels.”
“Right? I can’t believe we haven’t been here before. Have you been here?” Paige asks, her eyes wide as though I have a secret she doesn’t know about. And I suppose I do. It’s just not this.
“When do I ever go out?”
“You went out a few months back. With my dad.”
“What?” Hayley chokes on thin air, her eyes sparkling with gossipy joy while I stiffen beside her. “You had a date with Daddy D’Angelo? Sorry, Paige.”
“Ugh,” Paige groans. “I really wish you wouldn’t call him that.” She tries to pout but her smile shines through, and I squeeze my leg under the table.
“Why? He’s your dad and he’s a D’Angelo. Daddy D’Angelo. Right, Keeley?” She elbows me in the side but I raise my hands.
“No. Please leave me out of this.”
“Because you’re dating him?”
“No! Jesus. We’re friends who went to a concert together. That’s all. And it was months ago. Despite it being the offseason, I’ve spent all my time between work and home.”
I didn’t know Paige knew about it. Sal and I haven’t spoken about it since. And we definitely haven’t planned round two.
My eyes flash to hers and she smirks back at me. “I should probably let you know that Dad tells me everything.”
My heart seizes for the briefest of seconds, but I hide it behind my smile, ensuring it never once wavers. “I love that. I’m glad the two of you have that relationship now.”
Paige releases a soft laugh, and I’m not sure if it’s because she sees through my attempt to remain calm or she’s about to agree with me. And it’s the longest three seconds of my life before she does.
“I love it too, but he’s also still my dad. I don’t need to know everything. And you definitely need to go out more. I didn’t realize it had been that long since the two of you went out.”
Relief fills me when she smiles, and it doesn’t appear to have an underlying connotation. “You’re probably right; either way I haven’t been here. I’m excited for the night.”
“Should we order a cocktail?” Blair asks, having been quiet since we walked in.
“Hell, yes!” Hayley’s quick to respond. “My girl needs alcohol. Her brother’s staying with her and Zane.”
“The two of them are driving me crazy.” Blair frowns. “It was better when they’d stopped being friends. It’s like revisiting my youth.”
“I can’t even imagine. There’s no way I’d let my brother stay with me.” I shiver and Paige not so subtly raises an eyebrow. “No offense, Paige. But come on, even you can admit he’s hard to live with.”
“Actually, I can’t. I don’t have a bad thing to say about him.”
“He’s brainwashed her. We have to help her before she ties herself to that ogre forever.”
“If Amelia can put up with Luke, I think Paige can handle Easton,” Hayley adds before shuffling closer to me, out of Amelia’s reach.
“You’re not wrong.” Amelia shrugs and we all burst out laughing before waving to a roaming server and starting our night with his favorite cocktail recommendation.
“To Paige and her future husband.” I raise a glass, winking her way as she smiles.
“To Paige and Easton.”
“To me.”
“Okay, girls. Let’s knock this back quickly.” Hayley takes a gulp of her Wandering Eye cocktail, her gaze shifting to the dance floor. “It’s time to dance before the next show begins.”
My thigh-length silk dress clings to my body after I’ve spent the last hour dancing with Hayley, and I need to sit down.
We’re on hour three, and while I’m somehow still standing, Paige, Amelia, and Blair snuck back to the table a while ago.
“I need water. So much water.”
“I need thongs,” Hayley calls out louder than necessary, her face pulled into a pout while I laugh at the confused stares she’s getting around us.
“I’ve spent the past two months wearing runners and my feet have grown accustomed to not being tortured.
” She rubs the top of her foot while I laugh harder.
“She means flip-flops and sneakers,” I fill the strangers in, and Hayley waves me off as we walk back to our table. It’s become a running joke of ours for one of us to translate for her every time she uses Australian terms.
“I just can’t get on board with flip-flops,” she says as she drops into her seat. “They’ll forever be thongs to me. Either way, they’re much more comfortable than heels on a dance floor.”
“I beg to differ. You won’t see me in anything lower than three inches unless I’m at the gym. I think I have Barbie feet. They’re naturally inclined to accommodate my heel.”
“And that’s why you’re the boss.” Hayley gives me finger guns, and I throw my head back with a laugh.
“Far from it, Hayls, but thanks.”
“In the team’s eyes you are,” Amelia adds, drawing my attention. “Just ask Luke. He once said he wouldn’t be surprised if you take D’Angelo’s gig one day.”
“Ha. Could you imagine?” I roll my eyes until all of my friends freakishly yell yes at the same time before their laughter surrounds us.
“I think you four spend way too much time together.”
“And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The clock strikes midnight, and as though they’re all Cinderella, Amelia, Paige, and Blair call an end to the night, with Hayley giving me another hour, despite having to get up at five.
“Are you sure you’re happy to stay?” I ask her before the others disappear out of sight. Now that I’m out, I’m not ready to leave, but I’d never force someone to stay just to keep me company.
“Definitely.” Hayley laughs as though my question is absurd, and pulls me toward the bar, offering our table to a woman celebrating her thirtieth birthday. “My scene tomorrow is a morning-after scene. Consider this method acting. I’m getting in the mood.”
She finishes her drink and lowers it to the bar, bouncing her eyebrows as she does, and I can’t help but laugh along with her. This is not usually my scene, but God, am I having fun.
“To late nights and early mornings without regret,” I say, lifting my glass to my lips and finishing it off, feeling the burn as the fruity concoction glides down my throat.
“I’ll have another, please…” I trail off, looking for a name tag on the man behind the bar.
“Nico,” he confirms, instantly registering what I’m doing.
“Thank you, Nico. I’ll have another.”
Nico’s deep-brown eyes crinkle with his smile, and when he winks, a spark ignites inside me. “You weren’t here before. Right? Did you just start?” The girls and I were alternating between ordering from the bar and our table, and I don’t remember seeing him. He definitely has a face to remember.
“I asked my friend to swap,” he tells me. “I’ve been serving over there.” He points to the smaller bar across the room and my gaze follows, finding the server we’ve had for most of the night.
“Why’d you swap?”
“You.”
“Me?” My eyes go wide while the little spark morphs into more of a fire. “Are you sure you don’t mean the beautiful Hayley Jackman?” I point to Hayley as she watches the dancers, oblivious to our conversation.
“She’s beautiful, sure. But I prefer redheads.”
“Okay.”
Nico moves away to make my drink and I watch him as he goes, comparing him to a man that could very well be his father—in age and in looks.
I’m clearly attracted to a strong jawline, a light dusting of stubble to run my hand over, and piercing dark eyes, because they’re a match where those features are concerned.
I’m completely lost in my ogling until Hayley jabs me under the ribs, and I jolt with a squeal. “Hayls!”
“Oops.” She smiles innocently while I shake my head with a laugh.
Nico returns with my drink, complete with a little umbrella in the top, and our hands brush as he passes it over. I smile flirtatiously, wishing for that fire to move between my legs, but it doesn’t happen.
This guy is gorgeous. He’s about six feet—which is shorter than Sal but taller than me and that’s what counts—he’s got tattoos covering his muscular biceps, the ends of which disappear beneath the sleeves of his tee, and his eyes… My God, they could melt panties.
Just not mine.
Dammit.
“He’s cute, Keels.” Hayley winks, glancing his way. “Do you want me to disappear?”
“No, thank you. I don’t need your matchmaking services right now.”
“Matchmaking? God, no. He’s not the guy you take home to meet the parents. He’s the guy you fuck in a bathroom and never think twice about.”
I suck my lips into my mouth, biting back the thought.
“Just look at him. He knows what he’s doing with that smirk. And I have no doubt he’s done it many times before.”
“I don’t disagree. Only I thought you’d all decided it was my turn to find a man.”
“Oh, we have. But this guy is not him.”
“Any ideas who is? I have pretty high standards.”
“As you should. You need someone who matches your boss-babe energy and respects the hell out of you for it. An equal. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.” The smallest of smiles tugs at her lips before she hides it away.
“Okay. Let me know when you find him.”
“I will. Just to be clear, you’re definitely a no to athletes?”
“A hard no. Always.”
“Shame. Beckett is one fine-looking man.”
“You noticed that too?” I question and she nods as she bounces her eyebrows.
“How could I not?”
“He’s gorgeous, but even if he wasn’t a football player, he’s too quiet for me.”
“You’re right. I’m sure I’ll come up with someone else. In fact, I’ll bet there’s someone right under our noses, if only we could find him.”
“If only.” Dammit. What is she alluding to?
“Anyway, that’s for another time. For now, ask Mr. Smoldering Eyes what time he gets off work. You know, so he can get you off.”
Hayley’s eyes sparkle as she laughs at her own joke, and I can’t stop the snort that flies out of me. “I’ll think about it.”
I’ve just got to stop thinking about someone else.