by Emma Tharp
“Yes. Let’s do this.” Her blue eyes gleam in the lights, full of excitement. It’s so nice to see it there again. I’m hoping I’ll see more of it while I’m here.
The song changes to one of our favorites from the Zac Brown Band. “Hey, you want to dance with me?”
She looks up at me through her lashes. “I’d love to.”
Standing, I take her hand in mine and lead her to the dance floor. I pull her into my arms and she weaves her hands around my neck. We stare at each other, our bodies pressed together. Every curve of hers fits perfectly next to mine, like two halves of a whole.
Her sweet wildflower scent is all around me as I lean in and pull her closer. My body responds when her hands glide up, twirling through the back of my hair and she presses her lips to mine. My heartbeat kicks up as we move together, the heat of her body and the sweet taste of her mouth, like electricity sparking through me, the same as it always was.
Too soon, Caroline pulls back and leans her forehead against mine as her hand comes up to my chest and I clasp my fingers with hers. “This feels good.”
“What does?” I ask, needing to know exactly what she’s thinking.
She blinks a few times, pausing before she speaks, and stares up at me with those gorgeous eyes. “You and me. Being with you this way is like it was before and I never let myself believe that I deserved a second chance with you. Not after the way I ended things.”
There was a time I felt that way, too, but I could never get over her. She put me through hell when she up and left and didn’t give me a chance to fight for her. I knew she was going through one of the roughest things anyone could go through losing her dad. It should’ve drawn us closer, but instead it was like a knife slicing through the bond we shared. “You and I had something real and special and I’ve never felt that way since you left. Trust me, it hurt what you did, but I can understand it now. Do you think we can start again?”
“If we take it slow, I’d like that.”
“Agreed. And I have to know one thing. If we move forward, I need to know that you won’t leave me like that again, because the thought of it scares the shit out of me. No matter what happens you’ve got to give me the time and courtesy of communication before you up and make a life-changing decision.”
A tear falls down her cheek. I sweep it away with my thumb. “We were so good at talking to each other. I can’t believe I stopped opening up to you. It was the worst move I could’ve made, but at the time I couldn’t see it, all there was was the blinding pain of loss.”
“But you see it now?” I ask, hopeful that she understands it’s the only way moving forward. “I don’t know how to do it any other way. Open lines of communication from here on out. If we’re honest with each other, we might be able to make this work between us.”
“Do you think?” Her expression is hopeful, like she really wants to start again with me and it warms me.
I wish that I didn’t have doubts and fears, but I do. They’re still there waiting in the wings to ruin this chance. She broke my heart and that’s not something you forget. The rough edges of pain dulled with time, but never fully healed. I can’t go through that again. Despite all of that, I came here to try anyway. After seeing her at the reunion and feeling all of the emotions again, I knew I couldn’t resist the chance to find out if we could work again because being away from her was simply killing me.
“Caroline and Ethan, your song is next. Hop up on stage for me,” the DJ calls out over the speaker.
Grabbing her hand, I ask, “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
We make our way through the crowd to the stage and each take a microphone. The first few chords of the guitar begins and Caroline’s eyes widen and her full lips turn up into a huge smile. In that moment, I know I made the right choice.
Caroline starts singing the first verse, her beautiful voice flowing out of her like a warm breeze through the trees. The crowd responds by clapping with a roaring cheer. When I sing, I don’t bother looking at anyone but Caroline and her eyes are glued to mine. Even though it’s karaoke, the undeniable chemistry is still there between us just as if we were singing one of our originals.
Warmth spreads through me with the heat burning in Caroline’s deep blues. Moving closer to her, I grasp her hip and pull her against me, moving our bodies together as I sing my verse to her. She has to sing next, and she brings her head inches from mine, her breath skims my cheek and I can smell her scent all around me. If it weren’t indecent, I’d take her right here. I want her.
The song comes to an end, I take her hand in mine and we bow together as the crowd cheers for us. It feels good and excitement courses through me in anticipation of tomorrow night when we play at the Freemont.
Caroline kisses me on the cheek as soon as we get off the stage. “That was so much fun! Remember the last time we sang that song?” Energy seems to be rolling off her. She’s bouncing from one foot to the other and she lets out a little squeal.
“How could I forget? That’s why I chose it.”
“Thank you. I had a great time,” she says and kisses my cheek.
Lifting her up off the floor, I spin her around. “Me, too.” I set her back down and ask. “Do you want another beer?”
“Sure. Sounds great.”
I give her a peck on the lips and head to the bar. There’s a crowd of people waiting around for drinks. While I wait, I turn to see a thin woman dressed in barely any clothes talking to Caroline. She’s in a crop top and a tight, short skirt that shows every inch of her legs, with the exception of calves, which are covered with white boots that have a heel so high, she has to be at least six inches taller in them. She can’t be comfortable dressed like that.
A bartender is finally ready to serve me. I order two beers and pay for them. Heading back to our table, I’m curious who this scantily clad woman is.
Caroline’s eyes widen when she sees me and her shoulders tense, giving her an awkward tense appearance. “Hi,” I say.
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” Caroline says almost too loud.
Her friend’s eyes find mine and her brows lift. “You going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Oh, sure. Cora, this is Ethan. Ethan, Cora,” Caroline rushes out.
Cora reaches her palm toward mine. I take it and give it a shake. Her hand is small and cold with a delicate grasp. “It’s very nice to meet you.” Her voice has a seductive quality to it that matches her attire.
Taking a swallow of my draft, I set it on the table in front of me. “It’s nice to meet you, too,” I say, keeping my eyes north of her top and her exposed cleavage.
“I know you needed to take off, Cora. We don’t want to keep you,” Caroline says.
A look passes between the two women. What is it? A warning? It’s not threatening, maybe a caution. It’s impossible to say, but there’s something there.
“You’re right. I’ll be in touch.” Cora gives Caroline a kiss on the cheek and waves goodbye to me.
Caroline takes a long sip of her beer and sets it in front of her. She shakes her head. “Cora’s a good person, she’s just…”
I wait for her to finish her sentence, but she doesn’t. “She seems friendly, but does she not like to wear clothes?”
Caroline lets out a harsh, forced laugh.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, unsure of what to make of the odd exchange.
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s fine. You ready to head home now? I’m exhausted.”
“Sure, let’s head out.” Even though she says she’s good, my gut tells me something is off. It’s making me uneasy and I don’t like it.
4
Caroline
To say last night was a close call is an understatement. When I saw Cora at the karaoke bar, I was thrilled that Ethan was getting us drinks and wasn’t around. I thought I’d have enough time to ask her to switch shifts with me at work and get her to walk away before he came back. Of course, that didn’t happen and the last th
ing I wanted to do when things have been going so well between us was explain Cora to him. And I don’t mean Cora as a person, because she’s a great friend and co-worker, but she had just finished her shift at Lolita’s, that’s why she was dressed like a stripper. Ethan’s reaction to her clothing choice was enough for me to know that there was no way I was telling him that she was my co-worker and I own clothes that match Cora’s and my job requires me to dress just like her.
Except now, I have to cover Cora’s day shift so that I can have tonight off for Ethan and my gig at The Freemont.
Driving into work, all I can think about is Ethan’s face during breakfast this morning. He’s upset with me. I suck at lying and I don’t think he was buying what I was selling last night after he met Cora. I wanted to introduce her as my friend, not a co-worker. But the look of disgust on his face when he was checking out her outfit was a telltale sign that he didn’t approve of her. He was judging her based on her clothes and the fact that I was friends with her, I think it left a bad taste in his mouth because he was off all night after that. When we got back to my apartment, all we did was go straight to bed, no cuddling or making out. In fact, he turned away from me and slept that way all night. All I could do was toss and turn, worried sick that I’ve messed things up between us for good this time.
Before I left, I packed a bag with all of my work clothes and put on a pair of khaki shorts and a black t-shirt, hoping he’d think that was my work attire. If he was curious about what was in my bag, he didn’t say it. In fact, I got very little reaction out of him before I took off. I apologized to him that I had to work a shift while he was there and that I’d be back home as soon as possible. He assured me that he didn’t mind and was going to take a walk around the city while I was gone.
Pulling into the parking lot, my stomach sinks. I hate that I have to lie to Ethan about where I work. We’re supposed to be starting fresh and be honest with each other and here I am going to work, with my clothes shoved in a bag because he wouldn’t understand that this job pays the bills and I need the money. He’d tell me to quit and find something else.
My cell rings and it’s Cora.
“Hey,” I say, attempting to sound casual, but I know what’s coming.
She sighs heavily into the phone. “You remembered that you’re working for me today, right?”
“Of course. I just pulled in. I’ve never told you that I’d cover for you and not shown up.” It’s hard to keep the edge out of my tone.
“Well, you were practically pushing me out the door last night once your boyfriend showed up. Why were you so embarrassed by me?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and sit back in the seat. This isn’t something I want to talk about today, but I was a bitch to her last night. “No, Cora. It isn’t that at all.”
“It’s because you haven’t told him where you work, isn’t it?” Her tone is incredulous. “You didn’t want him to start asking questions, so you thought pushing me away would do the trick. How’d that work for you?”
She hit the nail on the head. “I’m sorry I was like that with you last night. You’re right. I haven’t told Ethan yet because we’re just trying to figure out how to navigate our relationship again and I know that he wouldn’t support me working at Lolita’s. Trust me, if I thought he’d be okay with it, I’d tell him. But he won’t be, so for now all he knows is that I’m a waitress.”
Another sigh into the phone. “You know you need to tell him the truth, Caroline, sooner than later. He is a catch and from the way you talk about him, I know you’re into him. Don’t mess things up by keeping things from him.”
“You’re right. All good points. Now I just need to figure out how to bring it up. I’ve got to get in there and change before the shift starts. Thanks again for the advice and covering my shift. I’m grateful,” I say.
“You bet. And good luck with your hottie.” She giggles and hangs up.
Deep inside I’ve known I had to tell him, even before Cora recommended it, but I’m still full of fear and it sucks. I’ll figure something out, but if I don’t get in there and change fast, I won’t have a job to tell Ethan about or to pay my bills.
My shift goes by fast, I don’t have much time left at all. The lunch crowd is always crazy on weekends, which means great tips and the time flies by.
One of my favorite regulars, Reggie, is here today with his biker buddies. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he always makes sure to tip me well and I do my best to show him a little extra attention.
“How’s my girl Caroline today?” Reggie asks as he puts his arm around me.
Patting his massive chest, I say, “Better now that you’re here. What can I get you guys? The usual?”
“You bet, darlin’.”
“Great, I’ll be right back.”
Walking away, I know that all the biker boys will be checking out my ass. I give them an extra sashay as I make my way to the computer station to type in their orders. Do I like being ogled by men on the regular? Hardly, but what I do love is the pile of cash I’ll be leaving with. I’ve been able to build up a nice little nest egg in my savings and have paid off my car and credit card, too. It’s a good feeling to have some financial security and it’s not something I’m ready to give up just yet.
At the bar, I pick up a pitcher of beer, glasses, and a round of shots for Reggie’s table and set them on a serving tray. I paint a huge grin on my face as I walk back over to serve the boys up their drinks.
Reggie lifts his shot glass and downs the whiskey, not so much as a scowl on his face. I know when I drink it, the burn down my throat always causes me to wince a little.
“Come on over here,” Reggie says as he slams his glass down on the table.
Walking to him, I stand at his side. “Everything okay?”
He slides his arm around my shoulders and slips cash in my bra. Looking down, it’s a fifty dollar bill. I don’t love the fact that he put it there, but I’ve become desensitized to taking offense to his actions, because at the end of the day, he’s a big old softy who’s easy to wait on, never hassles me, and is extremely generous with his money. Now I look at it for what it is: he’s a man with money to burn and he likes to give it to me. If I wasn’t able to handle men like him, this would be the wrong place for me to work.
“Why thank you, sir. You let me know when you boys would like another round.” I bat my lashes at him and walk away toward the waitress station.
That’s when I notice him in my periphery. Ethan is standing near the doorway and no doubt witnessed the entire exchange between Reggie and I.
Shit.
All the blood seems to drain from my face and my palms get clammy. I take my time walking over to Ethan and I can tell by the stone cold look in his eyes that he’s pissed.
“Hi,” I say because no other words come to mind.
“What the hell was that?” His brows are knitted together as he searches my face for answers.
“It’s just work.” It’s a simple answer, but the truth.
“Why do you work here, Caroline? You have to dress like a hooker and clearly you have guys touch you.” His tone is laced with anger and his hands clench into fists at his sides.
“It’s a good job and the tips are amazing.”
“At what cost?” His eyes are wide as he scans my body with a look of complete disgust on his face. “You look like some kind of slut or prostitute.”
“But I’m not. I’m a waitress, that’s all. I never hook up with these guys and I don’t ever lead them to believe that I will,” I say in a huff. He can’t honestly believe that I would ever have sex for money.
“Of course, they think they can hook up with you. I’m a man and seeing a gorgeous woman like you gallivanting around this place, barely dressed, makes me think of all the ways I’d like to fuck you. And if they’re leaving you huge tips, somewhere in their deluded minds they think there might be chance.”
I suck in a sharp breath. His words sting like a s
lap to the face. “You know I’m not like that. How can you say such things?” Tears bubble up, but I blink them back.
“What else can I think? You keep where you work a secret and when I show up, biker dude has his arm around you and his hand down your shirt?” His voice rises as he glares at me.
I do my best at keeping my breath steady, but it’s near impossible. “How did you find out where I work? Why did you come here?”
“Does it really matter? Your sister told me when I asked her because I wanted to see where you worked. It’s a normal thing that couples do, but obviously we aren’t that at the moment. Especially since the last conversation we had about starting over began with me saying the only way it would work is if we’re honest with each other.” There’s a vein pulsing in his forehead as his jaw ticks. I haven’t ever seen him this upset and I’m worried that I’ve ruined things for good this time.
Setting my hand on his shoulder, he whips it away and takes a step back. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was going to tonight, I just didn’t want to ruin everything. I knew you wouldn’t approve,” I whisper out the last part.
Ethan takes a step toward me. “Seriously, you knew I wouldn’t approve, so you decided to hide it from me. So next time something happens that you think I won’t agree with, you think the best option is to keep it from me?”
“No, that’s not it at all.” The tears are falling fast now and I don’t even try to stop them. “Please, you have to understand…”
“Is everything okay over here, Miss Caroline?” Spike, the bouncer, and his knuckle-dragging, obtrusive presence gets in between Ethan and me, looking from one of us to the other.
“We’re good,” Ethan bites out.
“I’m not asking you,” Spike says and stands to his full six foot six height.
I swipe the back of my hand under my eyes and say, “We’re fine. Ethan was just leaving.”
