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A smile graces my face and I continue to dance and listen to him sing. The song finishes and we stop dancing. We stand on the dance floor and stare at one another as Train sings about bruises and fixing things. Like a scene from a romantic comedy, he begins to lean forward and for a brief moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. My heart stops beating, it literally stops because holy shit, Mr. H is going to kiss me. He’s getting closer and closer. He lifts his hands from my hips and he grips the side of my head. Closing my eyes, I wait to feel his lips on mine but I’m disappointed when, once again, he kisses my forehead … but I will say, if there was a medal for forehead kisses, Kane Heatherington would be a two-time, gold medal winning forehead kisser.
Pulling back, he stares down at me, his chest rising and falling in sync with mine but the intense and becoming sexual moment is broken when the barman yells, “Last call!”
“Guess, I better get home then,” I whisper.
“Or you can stay for one more drink.”
I’m nodding before he finishes the sentence. “I’d like that.”
Mr. H and I walk back over to the bar and he orders two more drinks. He and I sit here while the staff cleans up and the two of us talk and talk until the wee hours of the morning. After the fifth yawn from him, I stand up. “I guess I better get going and let you get to bed.”
“I can get a cab with you,” he offers.
Shaking my head, I rest my hand on his. “Thank you but I’ll be fine.” I raise my hand to interrupt him. “And before you say anything, I’ve lived here for a few years now, I’m pretty sure I can get home on my own.”
“Okay, but you need to text me as soon as you get in the door.”
“Yes, Dad,” I deadpan.
He smiles. “I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. One heart-stopping moment for the night is enough.”
“I’m sorry to have worried you.”
“Never be sorry for reaching out. I will always be here for you, Calliope. Always.” He pauses. “You are my sunshine after all.”
“Thank you, and for what it’s worth, I’m always here for you too. I’m your sunshine. Not sure what a college girl can offer a man like you but …” I end that statement with a shrug. Picking up my clutch, I open it to pay for my drinks, but Mr. H covers my hand.
“Tonight’s on me.”
Nodding, I offer him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
We fall silent. The air around us thickening with each passing moment. My tongue darts out and I lick across my bottom lip, and like earlier, his eyes follow the path of my tongue and then back up to my eyes. He reaches out and cups my face, running his thumb over the apple of my cheek. “If only,” he whispers.
If only what?Does he feel this connection too? Or did I mishear him? But all too soon, he removes his hand and steps back. “Shall we?”
Nodding, I turn around and walk toward the exit, processing those two words—if only—that IthinkI just heard him whisper. We step outside and the bellhop hails a taxi for me—perks of living in NYC. There’s one always there when you need it … unless it’s pouring rain and you’re running late—but to be honest, tonight, I wouldn’t have minded waiting.
Mr. H waves the bellhop back and opens the door for me. “Good night, Mr. H,” I murmur as I climb in.
“Good night, my little Sunshine.”
He closes the car door and steps back onto the sidewalk. He slips his hands into his pockets and watches the taxi pull away. Leaning back into the seat, I stare at the roof of the car. As I’ve said before, Mr. H is an expensive fine wine and after tonight, I freakin’ love fine wine. But my broke ass cannot afford fine wine and my heart can’t have him either, so it doesn’t matter what wine I can afford.
Fuck my life!
ChapterSix
… two years later
Today is graduation day. After four looooong years, I’m finally finished my studies and in a few short hours, I will have an expensive piece of paper in my hands confirming all my blood, sweat, and tears have paid off … well, it paid off to finish my degree. It didn’t pay off and get me the six-figure marketing job I was hoping for, but thanks to my amazing roommate, it did get me a four figure a night stripping job.
Ohh, yeah. Did I forget to mention I finally succumbed to being broke and became a stripper at the Nirvana Lounge? It was not long after my fight with Dad over him interfering and arranging the internship. One night when my card declined while I was trying to buy some wine, I knew I had to make a change. I couldn’t admit to my family that I was a failure, so took up Nicole’s offer and Miss Sunshine made her debut at the Nirvana Lounge. Finally, I had enough money to continue living and studying in NYC. As soon as my money woes disappeared, my grades picked up and I sailed through the rest of my studies. My boss, Miss Rhi, let me work shifts around my course so I managed to juggle both.
Sure, being a stripper isn’t how I planned my life going, but I’m actually happy. And truth be told, I kinda love doing it. Who knew clumsy me would actually be pretty good at swinging around a pole? Miss Rhi said I was a natural and the money is phenomenal. It’s all the mac and cheese and non-boxed wine for me now.
Speaking of mac and cheese, Mr. H—the cheeky man he is—after our evening together, he sent me a gift with a note that had me cackling like a hyena.
My Little Sunshine,
