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“We’ve discussed the preliminary information, and all we’re doing today is getting to know them better. Letting them get to know us. We’re not here to be robots, firing questions at them.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to acknowledge how his words sounded similar to Nan’s advice. This was about validation for these women.
“There is such a thing as being overprepared,” he murmured to me before smiling at the hostess, requesting a table for five people.
On our way toward the back of the restaurant, I was tight on his heels. “I like being overprepared.”
“That’s your problem. A lot of this is about being able to talk to people. You can’t when you’re so uptight, sticking to some script you’ve written.”
I dropped down into a chair. “I’ve done fine so far.”
He only smirked at me, taking his time to remove his coat, draping it over the back of the chair. He fixed the cuffs on his shirt and smoothed down his tie before finally sitting.
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest boy of all?”
His eyes met mine over the plastic menu he held. “You certainly have the lines of the Evil Queen down pat.”
I crossed my legs, not apologizing when I kicked the toe of my heel into his shin. He hissed, reaching his hand under the table, and I smiled. “Oops.”
“You’re such a bitch,” he mumbled, gaze down on the menu.
“Thank you,” I said, full volume, my attention on the door as three women entered. The one in the front was white with bright-red hair down to her waist, a fuzzy purple coat, and Ugg boots. The Black woman on her left was short with plump lips, a diamond stud in her nose, and sported a leather jacket. The third woman had golden-honey skin with her dark hair in a ponytail, glasses, and a few layers on, including what appeared to be a University of Pennsylvania sweatshirt under her thick coat.
“Ariel?” I asked, and the redhead nodded, leading the way toward our table. “Nice to meet you in person. I’m Taylor Novak, this is Dean Hargrove.”
He stood and shook each of their hands then gestured to the table. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks for meeting with us,” Ariel started after everyone ordered coffees. Even though the trio of women said they didn’t want anything to eat, I ordered a few muffins for the table.
“We’re here to help in any way we can,” Dean said smoothly, folding his hands on top of the table. He flicked his blue gaze to mine, as if asking for permission to begin, and when I stayed quiet, he went on, “Taylor has spoken to you already, and she’s relayed the basic facts about what’s going on, but before we get into that, why don’t you ladies tell us about yourselves? How long have you been working at the Sunset Lounge, and what are you looking to do?”
I flipped open a small pad, but Dean didn’t have anything to take notes, and I blew out a small breath, reining in my irritation. We could argue about that later.
Ariel spoke first, sitting tall in her chair. Her voice was even and smooth, but it was hard to tell how old she was with her whimsical look and the bright makeup around her eyes. She really was like her namesake mermaid princess. “I’ve been at the Lounge for about ten years. If there is such a thing as seniority, I’m at the top.”
I flicked my gaze toward Dean, who briefly met my eyes. Seniority, that was what we were fighting for.
Ariel continued, “I’ve put too much time and energy into the place to be treated the way I am. Ron’s constantly talking to me about my weight, my looks, and it’s not right. I take care of all the girls, the regular customers know me. I’m a draw, but he still threatens to take my spots away.”
“She’s like the mother hen,” Julissa added quietly. With her glasses and sweatshirt, she appeared barely out of high school. “She keeps that place together.”
“Is that how he acts toward all of you?” I asked. “Does he make comments about your physical appearance?”
Kelly nodded, her hand skimming over her short black hair. She had a ’90s Halle Berry vibe about her. “Coming into this, you expect a certain amount of that, right? We’re putting ourselves on display for people, of course they’re going to comment about what we look like, but we deserve respect from the people who hired and manage us. We deserve to be treated with decency, but Ron sets a tone for everyone that it’s okay for them to say whatever, whenever they want. I complained to him about a handsy customer, and he brushed it off. Told me I’d earn more money if I let it go.” She tipped her head toward Ariel. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d have left a long time ago.” Then Kelly shrugged. “The money is good. I don’t want to leave, but every night, I wonder if it’s what I really want.”
“What do you want?” Dean asked.
“I want to provide for my little sister. I want to make sure she has everything she needs. I want her to go to college and not worry about debt. But I also want to be there for her in case of emergencies.”
“I know that feeling. I have a little sister too,” I told her.
Kelly met my eyes. “I’m not ashamed of what I do. I make a great living, but I want her to have more choices than I had. Then Ihave.”
“We will help you,” I said, and she smiled, inclining her head slightly.
“What about you, Julissa?” Dean asked.
“I’m paying my way through school. I work on weekends and all my breaks, and I’m relatively new at this. When I started, I didn’t know…” Her dark eyes shifted out to the window. “I didn’t know what was right or wrong. The customers aren’t supposed to touch us, they aren’t supposed to get served alcohol if they’re drunk, the dancers are all supposed to get breaks and get walked out to our cars.” Then she met my eyes. “But none of that happens.”
