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“And you’re okay to perform?”
“Yep. I frontloaded so I would have time to sober up before I got here.”
“Are you up for bid tonight?”
“Tips tonight. Bid tomorrow.”
“Does your cutting back have anything to do with your mystery man?”
“I’m just tired. It’s harder to keep up the façade if I’m already not in the mood going into it.”
“Fair enough, sweets. I’ve got a client already waiting in the back room or I’d stay to watch you, but I’ll see you later?”
“Absolutely. Have fun. Shame them into getting you off.”
He cackled as he walked away.
I chewed my lip. His question bothered me more than I wanted to. I had been taking fewer clients, and while I did want to slowly wean them off, I couldn’t deny that I had been a lot more frivolous about it since Luca had come onto the scene. I couldn’t let his existence dictate my work.
Gritting my teeth, I phoned up to Arthur’s office.
“Put me up for bid tonight. Double the price.”
If Arthur was surprised, he didn’t show it. “Yes, ma’am.”
I regretted it as soon as I said it, but I could put the money to good use. Stella’s car had been in and out of the shop, and she hadn’t been able to afford anything reliable with Rodney fucking around. I would channel all of my discomfort into the knowledge that I could give my nieces safe transport in exchange for an hour of my time.
A girl with hot pink hair breezed by me. “You’re up in five. Don’t be late.”
I swallowed hard, affixing some extra glitter and sliding into my heeled boots, and took a deep breath before I climbed onto my hoop to be lowered.
I pasted a horrendously fake smile onto my face.
Showtime.
“Hey, um, Luke, could I talk to you for a second?” Ms. Winslow stood at the door, writing Beans’s leash in her hands, her face bright pink.
“It’s Luca, actually, and sure, what’s up?”
“God, sorry. At least I was half right, I suppose. Would it be completely inappropriate if I asked if you were seeing anyone?”
I froze on the spot. Luna had asked me a while ago what I’d say in this situation, but it had never come up in real life so I’d assumed it never would. Apparently Ms. Winslow just took her time with it.
“Oh, um, I am actually.”
She laughed quietly, more to herself than anything. “Of course you are. Someone so kind would get snatched up quickly. Ignore me. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Sure you should have,” I replied hastily. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with asking for what you want. That’s how you get it. Not to say that you can have me, because I’m very happy with my partner, but I don’t think life is in the habit of giving people what they want without you making it clear. Is this awkward? It feels awkward. I’m sorry; I’m babbling.”
“It is.” She laughed again, but her shoulders drooped this time. “I shouldn’t even be looking when my divorce isn’t finalized yet. I just wanted to be happy for a little bit, you know? Shit, that sounds melodramatic. I don’t know how to do any of this. I haven’t been on a date in over a decade. My thinking was too wishful.”
“Nah, you’re great. I’m sure plenty of people would love to go out with you.”
Bagel hopped impatiently around my feet and Beans pulled away from Ms. Winslow to sniff all over his dog bestie.
“Is the other dog yours?” she asked. “I realized I’ve never actually asked.”
“Oh, no, Bagel belongs to a neighbor. My former babysitter. I started walking him when she went in for knee surgery. He likes to run.”
