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Shit. That means we’re three down. I hope I won’t have to ask Cora to go in on her night off. Tonight’s supposed to be just about the two of us. “Who’s off tonight?”
“I’ve already called in Bexley and Evan. They’ve both agreed to come in. Sarah didn’t answer. That leaves Corentina. With her being the headliner, I hate to call her on her night off and ask her to come in to cover a shift,” Julian rambles.
“I’ll talk to her. I’m sure she won’t have an issue covering for one of the girls,” I mutter reluctantly, meeting Cora’s eyes when they lock on mine.
Letting out a breath, Julian thanks me and hangs up to make sure everything else is in order.
“Who won’t have a problem covering what? Is everything okay?” Cora asks as I place my phone on the table.
Reaching out, I take her hand in mine. “We had three dancers call out tonight. Would you be willing to go in and cover the headliner slot? Julian will redo tonight’s schedule, so you’ll have your normal spot instead of Poppy.”
“I’ll cover one of the girls, but I don’t wanna take Poppy’s slot. She’s good and deserves to share the spotlight with me,” Cora says, immediately coming to defend Poppy’s position at the club.
“Okay, then we’ll have to cut out of here before we order,” I grumble. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want our first date to get messed up.”
“Date?” she asks, quirking a brow. “We’re on a date?”
“Of course we are. Why? Did you not think it was?” I ask, giving her a smug grin.
“Well,” she shrugs, “I didn’t know what to call it.”
“Cora, I’m going to be real with you. I’ve always had a rule in place when it comes to employees. I don’t date or screw around with them. I broke that rule with you because you do something to me that I can’t explain,” I say, completely honest with her. “I hope that you’ll give us a chance. I know I wanna give us the opportunity to be something outside of work.”
Cora’s smile brightens as she places her free hand over our connected ones. “I would like that.”
“Good. Now, as much as I hate to cut this short, we’ve got to go,” I utter, less than enthused about leaving. “I’ll make it up to you later when you’re able to cut out.”
“Sounds good to me.” She giggles, slipping out of her seat, waiting for me. “I look forward to seeing what you have planned.”
Damnit. Those three dancers had better have a good reason for calling out and screwing with Cora’s and my night.
* * *
Sitting at my family’s table, I take a sip of my drink. Cora just finished dancing, having taken the slot right before Poppy’s. I swear it took everything in me not to go up there on stage and toss her over my shoulder. The outfit she wore tonight has to be my favorite thus far. It was a deep emerald green, kinda reminds you of what one of the big stars would’ve worn back in the 50s.
I’m still staring at the stage, and my brother Félix joins me. “I see things must be going well between the two of you.” He grins and signals the waitress to bring him a drink.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, frowning. I figured he’d be at home with Madelaine.
“Désirée and Madelaine decided to have a girls’ night pampering each other. There’s no way in hell I’d let them paint my nails like they wanted.”
I can’t help but laugh at his remark, because I know if my brother didn’t get out of the house, Madelaine would’ve found a way to get Félix to change his mind.
“Come on, Félix, you know you love the idea of red nail polish.” I snicker, ignoring the glare he sends my way.
“Whatever, asshole. Anyways, I wanted to talk to you. Désirée mentioned Brittney earlier during dinner,” Félix says, smirking as the waitress places his drink in front of him.
“Anything else?” she asks, holding her tray in front of her.
“No, thank you for asking, though,” I say, sending her off and refocusing on my brother’s words. “Yeah, Brittney showed up at the bookstore earlier after I texted you. She was all over me and got in Désirée’s face. Brittney had the nerve to make a scene. She wanted to know who the woman was with her husband.”
Félix chuckles, placing his drink on the table. “Let me get this straight, this woman, your wife . . .”
“For the love of God, don’t call her that,” I grunt, interrupting him.
“You’re married?” At the question, I freeze, knowing whose voice it is.
Shit.
I turn and catch Corentina with wide eyes and a pained expression on her face. She shakes her head slightly in disbelief and takes a step back. “Tell me you’re joking,” she asks of me, but I can’t lie to her.
“It’s complicated, but I promise I’ll explain everything.”
She scoffs and shuts her eyes the second I finish speaking. I know what she’s thinking, this is what men who cheat say, but I’m not in a situation like another would be in. This is quite different, and if she gives me a chance to speak, she’ll understand it soon enough.
Corentina opens her eyes, and I can tell from how glassy they are that she’s about to cry. Fuck, I’ve disappointed her. I start to open my mouth, but she speaks and her bottom lip wavers. “Don’t even,” is the last thing she says before she runs out of Diamond Dancers.
