Trixi looked down at the cluttered desk and said, “Honestly, I don’t know. If you put me in charge, I’d toss it all and start from scratch.”
“I don’t think that is a wise thing to do. Some of that might be bills to be paid. The club won’t stay open long without electricity or heat.”
She laughed. “I don’t know. I look a lot better in candlelight.”
“Just remember, you’re not a dancer, you’re a manager now,” I reminded her.
“I think I’m just here for moral support. Besides that, what do I have to offer?” she asked.
“Well, first of all, you can manage the ladies. And deal with the customers. I’ll handle the paperwork.” And keep my ass in the office.
She got up and said, “Then I guess I’d better give you this chair and get out there before customers start showing up.” Trixi headed to the door and added, “Don’t forget, I’m just a few feet away if you need me.”
“Same here. And Aunt Trixi, thanks again for agreeing to help me.”
“That’s what family is for,” she said, closing the door behind her.
And that’s why I’m doing this. For my family.
Chapter Four
Andrew
I hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, but I hadn’t expected to. The walls were paper thin at the motel, and all night long, it sounded like the family in the room next door was playing basketball. I knocked on the wall a few times, but that only seemed to egg them on. I couldn’t deal with that two nights in a row, so I needed to meet with this Trixi lady and get this deal done.
I pulled into the parking lot of The Treasured Chest and surprisingly, I had to search for a place to park. It was good for her business, but a bad sign for me. I’d much rather Trixi be struggling. It would make my job a lot easier. That didn’t mean I’d offer high as I had with Carl, but I might need to bump it up a little.
If I had been able to obtain a phone number for Trixi, I’d be having this conversation someplace more…private. The last time I met with Carl, it had been at the club. Not that I minded the view or the entertainment, but I take business seriously, and some woman trying to talk me into a lap dance during a make-it-or-break-it deal just didn’t work for me. Hopefully that wouldn’t be an issue tonight.
As soon as I entered the club, I was met by a tall blonde. She was wearing too many clothes to be one of the dancers, but the way she walked and looked, she could be if she wanted. She was attractive and I’m sure she had plenty of men drooling all over her.
“Hi there? Want a table or a seat at the bar?” she asked.
I regretted coming immediately. “I’m looking for Trixi Worth,” I said, trying to get back on track.
She smiled and said, “It’s your lucky day.”
“You’re Ms. Worth?” Not what I expected. She was a bit older, but looked as though she belonged here. I was under the impression that Carl’s niece…didn’t.
“I am.” Her eyes roamed over me as she said, “Do I know you?”
I would remember if we had met. “I don’t believe so. But I have a proposition for you. Is there someplace you and I could talk in private?”
She snickered. “I’ve heard better lines than that.”
Straight-faced, I said, “Ms. Worth, I wasn’t hitting on you.”
Smiling she said, “And I’ve heard that before, too. Why don’t you quit while you’re ahead?” She raised a hand before I could speak and repeated, “A table or the bar, because I’m not on the menu.”
I’d been right. No way was I going to be able to conduct any type of business with her at the club. I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a business card. Handing it to her I said, “Why don’t you give me a call in the morning? Maybe we can meet for coffee.”
She took the card but didn’t even look at it. “My answer is going to be the same.”
“Call me. And maybe then, you’ll be more…receptive to my questions. Good night, Ms. Worth.” With a nod, I turned and left the club. If she didn’t call, I’d have no choice but to return tomorrow night.
As I headed to my car, which I had parked behind the building, I saw a woman sitting on the steps by the back doorway. She was leaning against the door with an unhappy expression I couldn’t place. Whatever her issue, it wasn’t mine. I guessed she’d just caught her boyfriend or husband in the club and was nursing a broken heart. Lady, my night’s not going the way I planned, either.
I was almost to my car when I realized she was crying. I knew I should just get in my car and drive away. I’ve always been good at avoiding women’s emotions and didn’t plan on changing that now. I was just about to press the unlock button on my key when I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder. Her face was now buried in her hands, and I could see her shoulders rise and fall as she sobbed.
Fuck.
Pocketing my keys, I walked over and softly asked, “Are you okay?” She must have been so upset that she never noticed me back there, because she jumped up and looked around, wide-eyed and in a full panic.
“Sorry!” I said. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
She wiped her cheeks and responded, “I…I was in…deep thought.”
A depressing thought. Fright seemed to have snapped her out of it. “He’s not worth it,” I said. No one is.
She looked puzzled, and her tone turned defensive. “You’re wrong.”
That was my cue to walk away. I took a step back and said, “Don’t spend too much time sitting out here alone. It’s dark and you never know when someone is going to…”
“Sneak up and scare the shit out of me? Because I think you’ve already done that,” she snapped.
And this is why I should’ve just driven away. “Once again, I’m sorry about that.”
She sighed and said, “No, I’m sorry. You were just trying to be kind and I’m…I’m a hot mess. Things aren’t going the way I thought they would.”
“Life rarely does,” I said.
“Isn’t that the truth. That doesn’t mean you have to like it,” she said.
“Why don’t you just go home? Tomorrow, things might seem different.” And you can dump his dumb ass.
“I wish it was that simple, but I have a job to do. I just can’t walk out.”
“You work here?” I asked, totally surprised. She nodded. Nothing about her - the way she dressed in a sweater up to her neck, or the fact she looked as innocent as they came - hinted that she could be an employee. Damn, talk about calling this one wrong.
“It’s my first day. I’m just not sure I can pull this off. I mean, I know I can do it, but it’s just…not what I want to do. It feels…forced and I’m shaking inside, worried that everyone is going to notice it, too.” She shook her head ruefully. “But I have no choice.”
So she hadn’t actually gotten up on that stage and taken her clothes off? Why did that please me? I don’t care what she does. She’s a complete stranger I’ll probably never see again. Yet I was still standing there and now I was about to give her advice. “Of course you have a choice. Quit.”
Those beautiful honey-brown eyes of hers widened as though the thought had never crossed her mind. “My parents would be so disappointed in me if I did. I mean, they weren’t thrilled with me working here at first, but they need the money. I have to do this, not for me, but for them.” She sat back down on the step and said, “It doesn’t matter if I don’t want to be here, I belong here.”
Helping her parents was one thing, but what the fuck was wrong with those people? A father was encouraging his daughter to strip so he could have a fucking easier life? I didn’t know the guy, but I’d love to give him a piece of my mind and maybe a right to his jaw while I was at it.
My heart was pounding with anger over something I shouldn’t have gotten involved in. But it was too late. I knew and now I felt compelled to help. Don’t worry. I’ll be shutting this place down once I get Trixi to sign the papers.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
She looke
d up at me and replied, “Anne.”
“I’m Andrew. Do you have to go right back in?” She shook her head. “How about joining me for a cup of coffee?”
“I don’t know you,” she said.
“Trust me, I’m just offering coffee.” That was more than I should be doing, but maybe if I got her to blow off work tonight, tomorrow she’d be strong enough to tell Trixi what she could do with this job.
“I can’t just leave. Trixi will worry that something happened to me,” she said.
“If you want, I’ll wait while you let Trixi know. Besides, I’m sure she has it covered for an hour while you go grab a cup or two.”
Anne got up and said, “Do you know the diner on Main Street?” I nodded. “I can meet you there in twenty minutes.”
“I can drive you,” I offered.
She shook her head. “You’re right. Being out here by myself wasn’t a smart thing to do. Getting into a car with a stranger is even dumber.”
Smiling, I said, “Very true. I’ll see you at the diner.”
Anne went back into the club and I headed to my car. I wasn’t positive she would show up, but at least I knew she was listening when I spoke. What I would say to convince her not to return there, well, I didn’t have a clue on that yet. But it definitely made me want to speak to Trixi sooner rather than later.
Chapter Five
Anne
“Wait, you’re leaving me here alone to run the place?” Trixi asked.
“Not for long. I’m just going to go have coffee with Andrew,” I said.
Trixi crossed her arms. “And who is this Andrew guy? I mean, I don’t think I want you taking off for coffee with one of the…customers. He might think you’re a dancer and expect….well, a lot more than coffee, if you know what I mean.”
“I told him I work here,” I said.
“But you don’t!”
“Of course I do,” I said firmly.
“No. You own the place. There is a huge difference. But unless you were clear, Andrew thinks you’re a dancer. Not that you couldn’t be. God knows you’ve got the figure for it, and you’re gorgeous, but you’re no dancer.”
I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be an insult or compliment. “So what does this have to do with coffee?”
“Oh, have I taught you nothing? Men can be…”
“Pigs. I know. You drilled that into my head a long time ago. Heck, I was afraid to even date. But you married Uncle Carl. Was he a pig?” I wasn’t worried about the answer.
“Absolutely not!”
“And did you or did you not meet him here at the club?” I asked.
Trixi huffed. “I see that no matter what I say, you’re going to meet Andrew for coffee.”
I smiled. “But I appreciate you watching out for me.” I gave her a quick hug and said, “Thanks, Aunt Trixi. I’ll make it up to you.”
“The only thing you need to do is be safe.” Before I could make it out the door she asked, “You do have the pepper spray in your purse, right?”
“I don’t ever leave home without it.” And still never used it.
I wouldn’t need it for Andrew, either. I was a pretty good judge of character. Granted, he was hard to read, and kind of intimidating, but I didn’t feel threatened in the least. The guy struck me as some kind of businessman and from his accent, I’d bet he was a Bostonian. Maybe that’s why I said yes. Because my heart was still yearning to be there, instead of here in Bermoose.
It took me longer to convince Aunt Trixi that I was going to be okay than it did to drive to the diner. I was a little late, but when I went inside, Andrew was still sitting there sipping his coffee.
I made it over to his table and said, “Sorry. Trixi had to voice her concerns about me meeting you.”
“Really? And yet you’re still here.”
“It’s a public place. There’s no reason to be…afraid.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you’re not afraid of me. Because I was hoping we could talk.”
“I’d like that, too. We don’t get too many visitors from Boston here,” I said.
He raised a brow. “Did I mention where I’m from?”
“No, but I went to Boston University. I can spot a natural Bostonian anywhere.”
“You went to BU?” he asked.
I didn’t like the look of surprise on his face. “I did. And I plan on going for my master’s at Boston University. Or is that so hard to believe as well?”
“No. I’m…impressed. So if you went to BU, what on earth are you doing here? And please don’t tell me your parents need the money. You can make a hell of a lot more money in Boston than you can at the club,” he stated in a firm tone.
“You are correct. The wage would definitely be higher in Boston, but so is the cost of living. Anyway, there are some things more important than money. And before you continue, I wanted to let you know, I didn’t agree to meet so you could pass judgement on my decisions. Now if you’d like to discuss something else, I’d be happy to stay.” I sat back, satisfied. Andrew needed to know up front that even though I look tiny and fragile, I could handle myself.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said.
I was used to it. One thing I found at BU was when people found out my hometown had less than three hundred residents, they treated me like I couldn’t even read. I could’ve been furious, but instead I set out to do something even worse in their eyes. I got a higher grade point average than they did.
And now I waste in running a strip club. Boy, I can only imagine what they’d say now. Probably the same thing Andrew was.
“So what brings you to Bermoose?” I asked.
“Business.”
Funny how he has a lot of questions, but very short answers. I’ll just have to keep them coming. “And what type of business are you in, Mr…..?”
“It’s Andrew. And development.”
“And you came here? What do you want to build? A farm?” I asked. There was nothing here to attract someone from Boston. Well, The Treasured Chest, but the only development there is a hard cock.
“Do I look like a farmer?” he asked.
I couldn’t contain my chuckle. “Maybe if you let your beard grow a bit more, and oh, lose the suit, too. It might scare the horses.”
He laughed. “Glad you didn’t saw cows.”
“Don’t like cows?” I asked.
With a serious look, he said, “I’m lactose intolerant.”
“Oh, sorry,” I said. And then I saw a slight grin appear. Damn. You have to ingest it, not absorb it. I decided to show him I could be equally humorous. With a heavy sigh, I added, “I know the feeling. I could never raise mules either.” He looked puzzled and wondered if my joke about being allergic to an ass had gone over his head. I love watching comedy, just my delivery of it, sucked.
Andrew chuckled. “Finally, someone who can appreciate dry humor.”
“Are you kidding me? I love that stuff. Skip all the horror and romance movies. I think I’ve watched every movie with Leslie Nielsen in it. Gene Wilder, too. Hey, if you’re going to be in town for a while, they’re playing Young Frankenstein at the local theater.”
“Are you asking me on a date?” Andrew said with a cocked brow.
Shit. No. I guess it sounded that way, but I was just trying to be friendly. Of course, if he said yes, I might be a bit thrilled about it. Andrew was extremely easy on the eyes. Too handsome. He had a mysterious look about him that would haunt a woman’s dreams in a good way. If I wasn’t careful, he might just visit me in mine. Don’t even go there. He’s just passing by.
“Does that mean you’ll be here?” I asked.
Andrew shook his head. “With any luck, I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Why did that disappoint me? I had too much on my plate already. The last thing I needed was to be distracted. That is exactly what he’d be, too.
“I guess your development doesn’t take that long,” I said with a sting.
“I’
m hoping it doesn’t. It’s all in the negotiation. Everyone has a price. You just need to read the person to figure out what that is.”
“What does that have to do with development?” I asked.
“I obtain the property that I want to…build on.”
So he was here in Bermoose to build something. Why did that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up? I don’t follow the local news to know what’s going on. Maybe I should start.
Then it hit me. Someone had purchased all the property around the club. Was Andrew here to try to buy The Treasured Chest? It would explain why he was at the club, but why hadn’t he asked to speak to me?
Shit. Andrew really might be good at acquiring what he wanted. This so-called meeting for coffee might all just be a ploy to get information about the club. Good try, but I’m not selling.
If there wasn’t that damn clause about my having to keep it in the black for a year, I would show him that I wasn’t a pushover and make him pay top dollar. But it didn’t matter what he offered. Legally, I couldn’t take it. Should I tell him that now?
Since he wasn’t forthcoming with me, I’d play the same game.
I looked at my watch and said, “Wow, look at the time. I have to get back to work.”
“I thought you told Trixi you were leaving?” he asked.
As I got up, I said, “Yes, and I also told her I’d be back shortly. Thank you for the coffee. Good luck with your business deal.” But you have no chance of success.
“Anne, you really don’t have to go back there,” he said.
I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Actually I do. Good night, Andrew.” I turned and left him sitting at the table. From his expression, I knew Trixi had been right. Andrew thought I was one of the dancers. And I never told him otherwise.
Everyone thinks I’m so sweet and innocent. Just you wait, Andrew. Try to take The Treasured Chest from me and you’ll find out this kitten has sharp claws.
Don’t Hesitate Page 3