“I don’t like it,” he said and glared at her.
“Then go back to what you do best, ignoring me,” she said with venom. He reeled back as if she’d slapped him. She snatched the card off the table. “Thanks for the job offer. I’ll keep it in mind. I’ll file it with a few other called, ‘when hell freezes over.’”
“Where are you going?” her mother asked in a panic. Dinner hadn’t gone according to her plan, so it was obviously time for some Xanax and wine.
Jennifer took a breath and let it out. “Right now, I’m going to the rest room, and when I get out, I’d like to go home.”
Ignoring the angry glare from her father, she hurried away from the table. Her hands shook along the way, and she couldn’t be quite sure if it was adrenaline or worry causing it.
“Looking for another back door exit?”
She turned to look in the kitchen door next to the bathrooms. Tommy stood smiling in the doorway. His dark hair dipped into his eyes and made him look more devilish than he already was. Despite herself, she found it hard not to look at him all over. Knowing what his other job was only made her more curious as to what exactly he did and how he looked doing it. She’d be crazy not to admit that he was handsome. Maybe not what she would want but still nice to look at. Her mind wandered to thoughts of Eric and what he would look like at that sort of club.
Tommy cleared her throat, bringing her back to reality.
“Don’t think this is one I can bail on,” she said with a sheepish smile at getting caught.
His grin grew, as if he knew what she was thinking.
“That’s a shame,” he said.
She glanced back in the direction she had come. Any second, she expected her mother to pop around the corner. Talking to the waitstaff wasn’t going to go over well, but then, nothing really was.
“Look, tomorrow is a big show for me,” Tommy said. She turned to look at him. “You should come.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think—” she started but stopped when he held up a hand.
“You need a night out,” he said. “It’s going to be fun. Just mention your name at the door.”
Jennifer didn’t really know what to say. Tommy seemed like a nice guy, but he was with Crystal, and their situation looked complicated. The last thing she wanted to do was get in the middle of that, especially if she wasn’t interested. Still, she couldn’t help but be interested in seeing a show like that.
“I’ll try,” she said. The words came out before she’d really had much time to think about it.
Tommy grinned from ear to ear. “Great,” he said. “You’re going to love it.”
She nodded. Although she hadn’t said yes, she still hadn’t said no, and that was enough for him apparently.
“I start at ten,” he said. “Come a little early.”
The sharp tap of heels heading her way warned that her mother was close. Tommy snapped his head that way. He pushed her a bit toward the bathroom.
“See you tomorrow,” he whispered.
Quickly, she ducked into the bathroom and slipped into a stall just before she heard the door open.
“Jennifer?” her mother called.
“One moment,” she said.
She flushed and stepped out.
“Are you unwell?”
She shook her head.
“I just thought that all that wine had gotten to you,” her mother said and fluffed her hair in the mirror.
Jennifer refrained from rolling her eyes as she washed her hands.
“It’s just been a long day,” she said.
Her mother huffed and tossed her hair.
“No doubt. Working in a place like that.” The disgust in her voice was clear.
Jennifer pulled some towels out and turned to her mother as she dried her hands.
“It’s not as bad as you’ve made it out to be,” she said.
Her mother scowled. “It’s not the job I’m worried about.” She raised a well-manicured brow.
“He’s my boss,” she said and tossed the towel in the trash. She froze when she placed her hand on the door.
“That is not how it looked today,” her mother said. “What would Charles say?”
“I don’t think I really care what he would say,” she said.
Her mother crossed her arms, and for a moment, Jennifer nearly burst out laughing. She was getting a talking to about sex in the bathroom of a restaurant at the age of twenty-five. It was almost too much.
Taking the silence as a sign she was winning, her mother unfolded her arms and stepped forward.
“Look, I understand. Really.” She sighed. “I think we’ve all had a fling with the wrong sort of man.”
Jennifer nearly choked on the air she sucked in. Her mother had been with the wrong sort of man? She doubted that. Likely the wrong sort of man had his banking account headed the wrong way. Never in her life had she known her mother to be daring.
“It’s easy to be swayed by a handsome face and sweet words,” her mother continued. Her look was distant, lost in thoughts of her younger years. She shook herself awake. “But that fades, and all you are left with are empty promises.”
Not really knowing what to say, Jennifer stared in shock. This was not the conversation she would have expected at all.
Her mother seemed to snap awake and gripped her hands tightly.
“Be smart about this,” she whispered. “Charles is the better choice. He has his faults, but he’ll provide for you.”
Much to their surprise, the door swung open, and a very startled woman stepped in. She eyed the two of them suspiciously. Holding hands in a public restroom. It certainly looked like more was going on. Jennifer had to admit, they were quite the sight for someone just walking in on them.
Her mother straightened up. All emotion from earlier had slipped from her face, and she was back to the calm, collected woman Jennifer always knew her to be.
“We should get back to your father before he worries,” she said.
Not really knowing what to say, she nodded and followed quietly behind.
* * *
Eric sat quietly at the bar. It was nearly closing time, not that he really noticed. For hours, all he’d been able to think about was her. How he had acted and how she had reacted. People filtered in and out of the bar all evening, but it didn’t seem to faze him. Now with a nearly empty bar, he’d be able to go home and relieve himself.
He ached for a drink to ease the trouble of the day, but instead took a drink of his water. The door jingled open, and he whipped his head around. He couldn’t really figure out why he was waiting for her to come back. There was no reason for her to. He’d given her the night off. It was how she left though. He couldn’t help think of the look she’d given him before storming off.
He frowned at the sight of Tommy. Not at all who he was hoping for, but he should have known. The roar of that bike could be heard easily, but Eric was so focused, it didn’t even register. Luckily, Patrick was elsewhere for the evening, so that was one less headache.
“Hey,” Crystal said, perking up from behind the counter. “You just get off?”
Tommy nodded and took the seat next to Eric.
Crystal hovered nearby, anxiously waiting for Tommy to talk to her. Something twisted inside him. Eric hated to see her like this. They’d known each other for so long. Seeing her this way was just upsetting.
He tried not to fault Tommy. From day one he’d been upfront with her about where they stood. It just seemed like Crystal was holding out for something. Why she refused to recognize Pat’s feelings was beyond him. She seemed determined to be with anyone but the man who loved her.
“Get me a draw, Crys,” Tommy said.
They watched as she jumped into action. When she was finished, she placed the mug on the counter and smiled at him.
A table in the corner signaled for her, and she sighed. She snatched up a tray and made her way over.
“Rough night?” Tommy asked.
Eric grunted. “You could say that.”
Tommy smiled at him. “Saw that sweet little waitress tonight. Maybe that’s part of why it’s so rough.”
Eric turned to glare at him.
Tommy held up his hands. “Relax,” he said. “She was with her parents.”
Eric turned back to his water and tried to will it into whiskey. He picked it up and took a big drink.
“Invited her to the show tomorrow,” Tommy said.
The water went down the wrong pipe, and Eric sputtered. He coughed hard. After catching his breath, he turned to look at Tommy.
“Why would you do that?”
Tommy shrugged. “She’s cute,” he said simply. “She looked down, and it will cheer her up.”
Eric glared at him for suggesting that she might be happy watching other men take off their clothes. It made his blood boil.
“She won’t go,” he said quietly.
“She might,” Tommy said.
Eric shook his head. He couldn’t see it. Jennifer belonged just about anywhere else.
Or, at least, he hoped he was right.
“You should come,” Tommy said.
Eric shook his head. “I’m out of that.”
Tommy laughed. “So you’re just going to let her come and deal with the guys on her own? I’m sure a few would be happy to meet her.”
He gave a sly smile. Tommy knew exactly what he was doing. There was no way Eric could let her meet some of the other dancers. He knew them, and that was almost worse.
“We’ll see,” he said and took another drink of his water. More than ever he wanted it to be something stronger.
“She’s nice,” Tommy said and took a drink off his beer.
Eric glared at his water. “I know.”
“And those parents…” Tommy shook his head.
Eric snorted. He’d had his fill of those people.
“And that ex of hers, he was a real piece of work.”
The ex was a new topic for him. He turned, waiting to see what information Tommy might give him.
“That prick breaks up with her one night and then comes in with a new woman the next,” he said.
Eric wasn’t surprised. He knew plenty of guys who operated that way.
“I think the worst of it was the way he treated her.”
Eric studied Tommy as he spoke. “How did he treat her?”
Tommy frowned. “Like she was his possession.”
The grip on his water tightened as Tommy continued.
“The whole time, she’s just looking down as he just rips her a new one about everything.” Tommy sighed. “She just looked so alone.”
Eric fumbled to his feet. He couldn’t listen to this any longer, or he’d have to find this bastard and teach him a lesson.
“I’ve got work to do,” he said brusquely.
Quickly he walked to his office in the back and slammed the door. Leaning against it, he tried not to think of her, but she’d been running through his mind for weeks.
There was no question that he wanted her. He would have nearly had her today if her parents hadn’t walked in.
Eric sighed. It couldn’t happen, and yet he couldn’t stop himself if he had to. It was like fate had sent her to him. He just didn’t know if it was to torture or save him.
Chapter Nine
Jennifer collapsed on the bench in the mall. The bags she’d been holding fell to the ground, and she sighed as the weight was lifted off her arms. She’d forgotten what this was like, shopping with her mother. It wasn’t something she was used to, and with the little amount of sleep she was able to get¸ it just wasn’t enough to keep her going.
“You aren’t quitting yet, are you?” Her mother looked down on her, and Jennifer gave a sheepish smile.
“I just need a little rest,” she said.
The tap of her mother’s impatient foot echoed around them.
“One more shop,” her mother said. “There’s one more place you need to go.”
She knew it was pointless to even try and resist, although she was finding it hard to believe there was one more store she need to go to. They had already picked out a few dresses, along with shoes and accessories. She’d even been able to nab a few tops that would work well for the bar, much to her mother’s disapproval.
On the whole, though, things had been fairly pleasant. If she ignored the assholish behavior from yesterday, it was shaping up to be a nice day.
As they trudged through the mall, dread started to fill her. She’d been in this mall about a million times with Candice. The closer they got to the end of the hall, the more she knew this trip was not going to end on a high note.
Maybe if she pretended she didn’t know where they were going, she’d avoid the dark fate ahead of her.
She groaned when her mother stopped outside the lingerie shop.
“No,” Jennifer said firmly.
Her mother turned and frowned.
“No, what?”
Jennifer shook her head. “I’m not going in there with you.”
Her mother rolled her eyes, and it was the first time she’d seen her break out of the stodgy role she normally played.
“Oh for God’s sake Jennifer. It’s just panties.”
Jennifer nearly choked on the laugh that threatened to pop up. Part of her wanted to ask if she’d say it again, so she could use it as her ring tone, but it didn’t seem wise to push things.
Feeling uncomfortable, she stepped into the shop with her mother.
Almost immediately she was pulled to the most frilly pantie bra set she’d ever seen.
“What size are you now?” her mother asked, holding up the very frilly set.
“Oh no,” she said and stepped back. “No, no, no.”
She glanced over at the young checker, who shot her a sympathetic look.
Her mother lowered the set to look at her.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” her mother said and gave her a tight smile. “We all put on a little weight with age.”
Her mouth fell open, and she tried to focus. “Are you calling me fat?”
She frowned. “Of course not,” she said and placed the set back on the rack. “I’m just stating that gaining weight is something all women struggle with.”
Jennifer stared at her mother, not quite sure where to go with this.
“Don’t look at me like that,” her mother snapped. “Maybe if you spice things up a little, you’ll be able to get back the spark you once had.”
She crossed her arms and stared hard at the older woman. Her mother shifted under her scrutiny.
“And by spark, do you mean Charles?”
Silence filled the room. It was clear to Jennifer what her mother was trying to do.
“Maybe.” Her mother stepped forward and lowered her voice. The checker at the counter strained to hear what was being said. “Maybe if you just took his call.”
Jennifer stepped away, letting her mother’s hand fall.
“Maybe,” Jennifer said through gritted teeth. “He shouldn’t have thought about breaking up with me. How can you even be on his side in this?”
“I’m not.” Her mother rushed to her. Ignoring Jennifer’s protest, her mother placed a hand on her. “He’s sorry for his part in all this.”
Jennifer snorted. “His part?”
Her mother’s brows knitted in irritation. “Oh, really,” she huffed. “Maybe you should also accept your part in all this.”
Like an arrow, the words pierced her heart. “Mine?” She could barely get the word out.
“You were so busy with the big job and didn’t even try with some of his simple requests. From what I understand,” her mother continued, “you weren’t trying at all.”
She was stunned. Trying to find somewhere to go with the conversation, she searched for the right words that wouldn’t involve stuffing that stupid pink bra set down her mother’s throat.
“Can I help you?” The clerk looked between both women and gave J
ennifer a pitying look.
“Yes,” her mother responded. “She would like some new garments.”
The woman nodded and sized up Jennifer.
“Why don’t you give us a little time while I set her up?”
Her mother nodded to the clerk. To Jennifer, she gave a stern look that could only be thought of as her ‘don’t mess with me’ face.
“I’ll just be next door looking at a ring that caught my eye,” she said and handed Jennifer her card. She stopped to give her a hard look. “Get what you need in order to make this right.”
Her cheeks heated as she watched her mother walk out of the shop. She had never been so embarrassed.
“No offense, but your mom makes me almost thankful for my mom,” the clerk said.
The laugh was out before Jennifer could even contain it.
“She has her moments.”
The clerk nodded at the racks. “Come on. Let’s make her eat her words.”
Jennifer grinned. Now that was something she could get behind.
* * *
Eric knew it was her day off, and yet there he was, second day of waiting around for Jennifer to walk through the door.
It was silly. Not only was she mad at him, but her parents were in town. Of course she would choose to spend time with them. Hell, he didn’t even know if she was coming back after what had happened.
He kept going back to the way she looked in front of him, her lips full and just asking for trouble. They had been so close to doing exactly what he’d been thinking about since the moment he met her.
It wasn’t a good idea. Eric knew it wasn’t, and yet he really didn’t care to stop himself. She was what he ached for at night. It was her body he pictured when stroking himself, and when he came, it was her voice that echoed in his ears. Need was too simple a word for what he was feeling, but it was as close as he could get.
Looking at the clock for about the millionth time, Eric cursed. Seven. He’d have to make a decision soon.
“You got somewhere you need to be?” Patrick sidled up to him at the bar.
Eric shook his head. He wouldn’t be happy with him going to see Tommy.
He snorted loudly.
“Okay.”
He turned and looked at his friend. It was clear he didn’t believe what he had to say, and Eric couldn’t really blame him. If it was Pat, he wouldn’t believe him either.
Second Shot Page 2
