Jilly started the recording.
“The owner told me you need to go,” Karen continued. “You’re expendable. I’m not. I’m very important. Thisclub wouldn’t be as successful as it is without me. I’ve got plenty of dancers who can fill your shifts. You’ve got ten minutes to clear out or I’ll have security boot you out.”
“Can I talk to the owner?” Jilly asked.
“Talk to the owner?” Karen yelled. “Why would you do that? The owner wants you gone and I’m good with that. If you’re looking for a recommendation, you won’t be getting one from me.”
“No problem there,” Jilly said. “You’re a terrible manager. None of the girls like you.”
Another shrill cackle. “Do you think I give a crap? I don’t care about any of you. I’m a superstar here and you aren’t. So byeeeeee.”
Jilly stopped the recording. “I spent the afternoon working on my resume which, by the way, won’t get me hired by any company with cred.”
“Blue Suit has creds,” Slash said. “Do you like dancing?”
“No. It paid the bills, and barely.”
“Who’s the owner?” Slash asked.
“I’ve never seen anyone there except Karen.”
Carrera walked onto the porch. “Anyone hungry?”
Jilly rose from the sofa. “I should get going.”
“You gotta stay,” Slash said.
“It’s okay,” Jilly said.
“We can’t make her stay,” Carrera said.
“No, we can’t,” Slash agreed. “That would be kidnapping.”
“Yeah,” Carrera said with a smile. “Not gonna touch that one.”
“We could bribe her,” Slash continued.
“You mean with my grandmother’s homemade meatballs, homemade pasta, and homemade red sauce?” Carrera asked.
Slash nodded, her gaze sliding from Carrera to Jilly. “That might work. What about a job interview? Do you think that would sweeten the deal?”
“Only one way to find out,” Carrera replied. “Jilly, I own Carrera Cruises. We’re always looking for marketing reps?—”
“The boat cruise company?” Jilly asked. “You’re Carrera?”
“He’s Claude at the club,” Slash said, “So you can’t say anything to Karen.”
Jilly raised her eyebrows at Slash. “You didnotjust say that to me. The only thing I would ever say to Karen Woodside is F-you.”
“Get in line behind me,” Slash said.
“She didn’t fire you too, did she?” Jilly asked.
“I knew her from another job,” Slash said. “She did something illegal, she got herself fired, and blamed me.”
“That’s a story,” Jilly said.
Slash said nothing as she pushed off the sofa.
