“So it’s not just a party,” she clarifies. “He offered you a way to earn back your money?”
“Yup,” I repeat. “Although, from the sound of things, it looks like anyone with a vagina has the potential to earn some money, so it’s not like I really have an edge or anything.”
“Did he say how?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“Because that’s not promising at all.” She scoffs, but I don’t miss her intrigue. “You do know what I do for a living, right? And how Iearnmy money?”
Lexie’s never slept with anyone for money. She’s never even danced fully nude at The Body Shop. Period. Pretty sure she mainly serves drinks and takes her turn on the stage in a bikini at most, but still. I know what she’s saying. It’s the same thing I told her when she first applied at the renowned strip club. It’sa slippery slope, and if you aren’t oh so aware of every minute move, you’ll spiral down, losing more than you ever thought you could gain by sacrificing your integrity or your body or…whatever it is the devil has decided to barter with you.
“Technically,” I say, “I asked if they expected me to sleep with anyone, and they said no, so I think I’m safe on that one.”
“Yeah, because that makes it so much better.” She laughs again. “Okay, so you clearly need a Mama Bear right now, and even though I don’t usually take on that role, I’m going to pull up my furry britches and take one for the team until I turn back into best friend mode again. Are you ready?” She sits up a little straighter and gives me a stern look.
Following her lead, I do the same, squaring my shoulders and tucking my feet under my butt until my sole focus is on my best friend. “Hit me with it.”
“My darling Violet.” She grabs my hands and places them on my folded knee. “There’s a saying that’s been passed down for generations and generations. Would you like to know what it is?”
“Yes, oh wise Mama Bear,” I coo. “Please tell me.”
She clears her throat. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
I wiggle out of her grasp and mimic my head exploding. “Boom.”
“My thoughts exactly,” she returns. “Now, do you need to sign in blood or anything or is this kind of a,come as you please, leave if you want, type of deal?”
“I would assume?” My face scrunches. “Honestly, I don’t even know. I doubt it’ll even work, and I’ll probably walk away with nothing, but…at least this is an opportunity to try.”
Her head bobs in the tiniest of nods as she tucks her long, dark hair behind her ear. “Do you trust him?”
“Ford? Not really,” I repeat dryly. “But considering my broken laptop and my lack of options, I figure we can at least feel it out, right?”
“Oh.” She relaxes instantly and tosses another piece of popcorn into her mouth. “Then perfect. I’m all for a fun night out, and if we rake in a bunch of cash in the process, so be it.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.” She hesitates, and I swear I can see the wheels turning in her pretty little head. “There’s probably going to be some kind of buy-in, though. That’s how it is for my brother anyway. Hmm.” She taps her manicured finger against her chin. “Do you still have the three hundred?”
“From Jagger?”
“Unless someone else has given you three hundred dollars in the last few weeks?” she challenges.
I roll my eyes. “Smartass. And yes. I still have it.”
“Perfect. Then I say we split it fifty-fifty and up our odds of winning whatever they have in store.”
My lips part as I process her words. “Y-you want to participate, too?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Weren’t you the one giving me a lecture less than two minutes ago about signing up for something blindly?”
“No, that was Mama Bear Lexie.” She waves me off like I’m a crazy person. “Best Friend Lexie is much more spontaneous and hates thinking things through.”
“Of course, she does.” I laugh. “Does this also mean we’re going to leave the whole costume planning side of things to an hour before the event?”
“Yup.” She reaches for the bag of popcorn then settles back into the couch. “Besides, I’m pretty sure I have some animal ears or devil headbands around here somewhere. It’ll be fine.”
