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What most new dancers and waitresses at Sweet Caroline’s don’t know until it’s too late is the reward for sleeping with the owner is a pink slip. I’ve never seen Jake in a relationship that’s lasted. I’m not even sure he’s built for monogamy. The only strippers who amounted to more than one-and-done were either too oblivious to know better, or smart enough not to rock the boat if he was sticking his dick in anyone else.
“Then Kimber pointed out what a dedicated worker you were. So, I feasted on the girls she hadn’t cared as much about to keep her happy. The clock had been counting down with her since the first time Trig saw her on stage. I don’t like it when people I’ve grown attached to leave, Hol. But, since I’m a little rough around the edges, I had to have her train someone she trusted to take over when she bowed out. You became my replacement mill girl. Before you ever became the assistant manager, I had to treat you better for you to stay on, pay you more,not bend you over my desk—which come to think of it now, had I’d known the two of you would both call it splitsville so close to one another, I might have changed my mind.”
“You’re such an ass.” I snort.
“You’re right. It comes from growing up in a strip club.”
“That’s a lie, Jake Ballantine. Miss Caroline told me herself that your daddy kept his pants on until she said, ‘drop em’.”
“Can we not do visuals of my parents getting it on?”
“As long as you’re willing to concede you didn’t inherit your, ah, reputation,” we’re both aware I mean his manwhore ways, “along with the keys to the club.”
“Fine. Caroline was the love of my father’s life and led him around by the balls. Can I get to the point?”
“Sure thing.”
“And also, what the hell am I going to do without you?”
“Damned if I know,” I joke.
Being in charge of an establishment like Sweet Caroline’s is fraught with challenges. It’s not as if I have years to train a new manager, but Kelsey is coming into her own.
“As I was saying. In the meantime, I realized why Carver offered my best employees a room at the factory. I wanted the best for you too. That’s what you wound up with… I may not have as many mill girls under my belt as I have notches in my bedpost. But the one mill girl I had? I wasn’t screwing up helping while she was finding a better life than the one life had dealt her.”
“That is about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.”
Jake nudges my shoulder. “If you tell anyone, I’ll deny this conversation happened.”
“It’ll stay between us. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking you’ve gonesoft.” I wink.
“Low blow, Holly.”
“The only type I’m giving you, Jake.”
We both smart. Innuendo aside, sex and the two of us was relegated to the absurd a long time ago.
“While we’re being honest, can I ask why you never held me over a barrel for information about Cary when I turned to you for help? You knew I’d broken things off with him. Why didn’t you use that against me?”
“The Holly I love doesn’t ask questions about my business dealings,” Jake pauses mid-rely. “And what I know about the Stanton’s I promised I wouldn’t use because it would hurt you more than I’d ever gain from it.”
Jake Ballentine—for as many instances as he was a thorn in my side—did all he could to protect me.
“Tell me you’re happy,” Jake whispers ardently.
“I’m happy.” I wipe a fat tear away with Jake’s handkerchief clutched between my fingertips.
Jake tips my chin. His eyes are shimmering with an emotion I can’t place. Pride? Love? He used the word, but did Jake love me? And if he did—if I’m head over heels for Cary—why am I figuring that out now?
“There’s a place for you in the reserved booth whenever you need it.” He presses his lips to my forehead then takes two steps back, bowing to me before turning to head outside of the tent.
“You okay, Doll?” The hands of the man Jake’s allowing me to replace him with as my protector come around my waist.
I turn, reassuring Cary that I am.
There will be time later to tell my husband that Jake has let me go and perhaps that my boss kept Davina’s affair close to his chest. I won’t wait on it forever, but after our honeymoon sounds right. Over the next two weeks, Cary and I are soaking up the sun in Mexico. By the time we return, I’m hoping to have turned my vampire tendencies on their ear. And not going into Sweet Caroline’s might make more sense to the tiny part of me currently struggling with Jake being selfless enough to abandon me.
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