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She leans forward, her voice lowering to a tense whisper. “Do you want me to work the lounge tonight?”
The implication is clear in her tone.
I set down the glass I’m cleaning and nod toward the back hall. “Let’s go to my office.”
After the scheduling changes Lara made this week, Shelly has been doing her dancing in the afternoons and working as a server in the evenings. It’s saved me from having to hire a new server. With the tip sharing policy Lara put in place today, it will help to even out tips for the dancers on the slower shifts. With Lara working the bar, it’s also the first time I’ve been able to take a break to interact with the crowd, something that has improved the attitude of the guests. They’re tipping better overall, and the general morale of the dancers is better.
Lara’s system is unique, and I’m still not sure if it will work long term, but now the flaw becomes obvious. If Shelly refuses to work the lounge, we’re fucked.
Before we even reach the hall, Shelly’s growling in my ear. “You seriously approved everything she suggested? Without even asking us?”
I press my finger against my temples. “Slow down and just tell me what’s wrong.”
“What’s wrong? Your little girlfriend is changing everything. You and I have worked here longer than anyone, Jamie. You know this isn’t going to work. The dancers should have a say in when they work. And I work for my tips for myself, not to split them with other people. This is just bullshit.”
Before I can respond, Lara emerges from the bathroom. She pauses when she sees us, and the smile on her face shows a cockiness I haven’t seen before. Maybe it’s the red lips. Or maybe it’s her posture and the way she’s thrusting her breasts out as she struts toward us, but I recognize that look.
I brace myself for what’s coming next. I’ve worked around women long enough to spot a catfight before the claws come out.
Lara grins as she approaches, her eyes on me. “Everything okay here?”
Shelly spins around at the sound of Lara’s voice and thrusts her hands to her hips. “No, actually. Everything is definitelynotokay.”
Lara slides up next to me and ignores Shelly completely. “What’s going on, Jamie?” Her smile has a faint upturn. Is that a smirk?
“Shelly was just expressing some uncertainties about the recent changes.”
Lara’s eyes grow wide. “Was she now?” She’s enjoying this.
Shelly sees it too. “You’re doing this to me on purpose. Moving my shifts around just to punish me.”
Lara sighs. “Why would I do that, Shelly?”
“Because you don’t like me.”
Lara’s eyes narrow. “And why would I not like you?”
Shelly’s complaints about Lara seemed exaggerated, but what if they aren’t?
Shelly inhales a sharp breath and her eyes widen. She meets my gaze, her body tense as she holds her breath. “Jamie…” The threat is obvious. She is only seconds from walking out.
“Shelly, give us a minute, okay?”
Her lips press together like she’s holding back a flood of objections, but she says nothing as she turns and storms back into the front-of-house.
Lara snickers and watches her go. “Someone’s thong is strung too tight.”
I grind my teeth. “Did you move her shifts because you don’t like her?”
She blinks and leans away from me, crossing her arms. “No, I told you why I did that. She’s the least requested dancer by the guests.”
There’s something about her tone I don’t fully believe. “Maybe you should pull back some of the changes.” My suggestion seems reasonable enough. After all, this has been a lot in one week.
She tightens her arms around herself as her neck tenses. “Are you serious?”
It’s clear she disagrees. “Listen, I respect the changes you’re making, and I’m glad you’ve got some new ideas, but all of them at once can be a lot, especially for dancers like Shelly, who have been here since before I bought the place.”
Her lips part. “You’re seriously taking her side on this?”
