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Claire shoots me an ironic look.
“Yeah, and Phantom isn’t cheesy?”
With that, a giggle escapes my throat.
“Okay, okay, you got me. I guess I just wanted to express my joy at being alive by singing that really high part from Christine Daae’s aria.” Quickly, I head out to the small seating area and start cleaning up cups and plates, but Claire follows me with a rag in hand.
“Girlfriend, it’s more than that soprano aria part. You are literally floating, you’re so filled with joy right now. What gives?”
But before I can answer, my coworker studies me until she snaps her fingers with a toothy grin on her face.
“I’ve got it!”
“You’ve got what?” I ask, still humming while scrubbing circles on a table.
“The reason why you’re so happy,” Claire burbles. “You got laid last night, what else?”
That makes me look up.
“What?” I squeak, glancing around to make sure no one’s overheard. “Why would you think that?”
My friend gets a smug look on her face.
“Because I’m good at reading people, of course. You got banged good and hard last night and it must have been ah-may-zing. It’s the only logical explanation.”
I gulp. OMG, is last night written all over my face? It must be Julian. It wasn’t only the sex between us because I’m positively buzzing today.
“I’m taking your silence as confirmation,” Claire adds in a knowing tone. “You’d deny it if it wasn’t true.” With that, she takes a towel and starts wiping down another table even though I know she’s totally focused on our conversation. I sigh and roll my eyes before shooting her a sassy grin. What’s the harm in telling her? Of course, I won’t reveal that I work at Club Z, but it’s okay to admit that I hooked up with an amazing man last night.
“Fine, you’re right,” I murmur in a hush. “But don’t say anything! People can hear.”
Claire nods, lowering her voice to a whisper.
“Totally got it. But Lindy, tell me everything. It’s been so long since I’ve gotten any, so I need to live vicariously through you. Who is he, and when do I get to meet him?”
I laugh at Claire’s pushy manner. It’s a little weird because although we’ve worked together for a while now, I wouldn’t exactly consider us close friends. We talk a lot on shift, but we never hang out outside of the coffee shop, so I’m a little surprised she’s this invested in my personal life.
“Well, it’s still early, so I don’t want to jinx myself, but he’s really handsome, really cool, and really great in bed,” I enthuse.
Claire’s eyes bug out.
“How so?”
I snort.
“I’m not telling you that! OMG, you’re too much, girlfriend!”
She merely scrubs harder at her table while whining.
“Yeah, but I never get out any,” she moans. “So I’m so behind on all this stuff. I really need to know what other girls are doing so I can catch up.”
Somehow, looking at my co-worker’s generous figure and sassy ways, I doubt that she’s behind when it comes to men. I decide to throw her a bone though.
“Let’s just say that he likes it rough,” I confide. “And public.”
My co-worker stares at me.
“Rough and public how though?” she whispers. “Do you mean you did it with the drapes open? Or something else?”
Fortunately, at that moment my phone rings and Nicole’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hold on, I’ll be right back,” I say. “Just give me a sec.”
With that, I head out to the rear of the store and answer the call from my manager.
“Hi Nicole, what’s up?”
“Oh good, you’re awake,” the older woman burbles as her face fills the screen. “I was worried you’d be sleeping like all my other girls.”
My expression is knowing.
“Yeah, but you know I’m a barista at Sixth Street Espresso during the day. Actually, I’m on shift right now, so what’s up?”
She nods, her brown hair pulled tightly back in a bun.
“Well, I’ll be quick then. Are you free this evening, Lindy? You’ve been requested by a Club Z member.”
My heart sinks because while requests happen on occasion, it feels wrong to see anyone other than Julian at this point. My head and heart are full of him, and I sincerely hope that some client from the past isn’t aiming to book me.
“Who is it?” I ask with a frown.
Nicole nods, her smile bright.
“It’s Julian Statham from last night. Apparently, you made quite an impression on him at last night’s event, and he’d like to see you at the club tonight if you’re available.”
My heart pounds and I nod.
“Sure, just let me know what time,” I say. “I get off from Sixth Street at 3 p.m., so I’m available after that.”
Nicole nods, obviously pleased.
“I knew I could count on you, Lindy. Meet on the second floor at the steakhouse at seven, okay? Do you have a nice dress to wear?”
