I look at Hendrix for his approval. He nods me back. I then look at Toni, who winks at me, and I go.
Throughout the night, I push back every thought of Jagger being my mystery man as soon as it comes forward. If I allow myself to dwell on it, all I do is start thinking about the fact that, if Caldwell is their last name, it could be any one of the brothers. What am I going to do? I honestly don’t know who I slept with that night.
I count the minutes down mentally as the night comes to a close. It has been a long few days and a long week at the hospital, so I’m looking forward to getting home.
We are all cleaning up when Jagger starts lining up shots. He is wired tonight with adrenaline from the success of Thursday’s ladies’ night.
“I can’t drink at work,” I say as I continue cleaning the glasses.
“That’s bullshit. It’s ladies’ night, and you are a lady,” Jagger says as he pours five shots.
“None for me.” Hendrix holds up his hand. “Gotta drive.”
I look up at him. For the first time tonight, he sits down and rolls his neck, relaxing. Then, he clasps his hands behind his neck and closes his eyes.
“Looks like you get two, Livi.” Jagger puts two shots in front of me.
“I really shouldn’t,” I say, glancing at Toni in discomfort.
“One of us should be celebrating. Huge crowd tonight, great money. Your tip jar is overflowing.” Hendrix opens his eyes, his lip curling up a little. “Go ahead, celebrate.”
I can’t help smiling. It was a rough night, but I didn’t screw up nearly as much as I have on the other nights. Maybe I am finally getting the hang of things “To one week,” Jagger says, holding up his shot.
“To one week,” I say, and the four of us tap glasses.
Hendrix stands up and nods to us. “I’ll deal with the money and grab your first official paycheck while you guys finish up here.”
I watch him as he walks to the door leading up to his office, admiring his backside.
“So”—Jagger hands me my other shot and pours another for Toni—“what are your plans for the rest of the night?”
Toni pulls her phone out and sends a message. The smirk on her face can only mean one thing. “I’m gonna get picked up here in about ten minutes.”
“Booty call, huh?” Jagger holds his fist up, and she taps it with hers. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“I bet there will be a lot of happy men tonight after watching the three of you shake your fine, toned asses up on this bar.”
“Oh, my goodness, Toni,” I gasp and look at Jagger, feeling my face burning up. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I’m glad to be of service to the men in the area and, of course, the ladies, too.”
“Damn, boy, had I known you were providing services, I would have never sent that message.” Toni tosses back yet another shot he poured.
“Toni”—I cover my face—“we’re ladies.” And, who knows, I may have already had sex with him, I think to myself.
“And, as you figured out two weekends ago, a lady needs to own her sexuality,” Toni calls me out.
Oh, my goodness, I think as I feel my face start to burn.
“Oh, Toni, don’t stop there. Spill it. Tell me all about our little Livi’s—”
“No, Toni, don’t!” I snap, despite not meaning to. If she says one thing to him, and he is the Caldwell in question, I will be devastated. For a man like Jagger, I certainly wouldn’t be the one he would remember, even though I personally can’t stop the memories of that night.
She giggles. “A lady never tells, but Livi here owns her little sex-capades. She’s not—”
“Okay, enough.” I look at her with pleading eyes.
“Fine,” she says on a laugh and holds her hand up as Jagger pushes another shot her way. “One more of those, and I’ll be dragging your fine ass in the nearest,” she pauses, “closet.”
“Closet?” Jagger leans in. “How about right here on the bar?”
“Not on my bar,” Hendrix says with a laugh as he walks out from the back. “We’ve put it through enough tonight.”
Just then, Toni’s phone chimes. “My ride,” she pauses, “is pulling up as we speak.”
“You go get some, you sexy, sexy woman.” Jagger winks. “But, if he falls short”—he reaches down and grabs himself—“you come on back.”
She laughs, and I swear she starts to turn pink, which is very unlike her.
“Goodnight, girl.” She gives me a hug then walks out the door.
“Do you have to hit on every woman who walks in here?” Hendrix shakes his head.
“Oh”—Jagger throws his hands up in mock annoyance—“this coming from the panty burglar.”
“The what?” Hendrix chuckles.
Jagger laughs as he reaches down under the bar and grabs something out of his duffle then flings it on the bar. “Got these from the cleaners where I dropped off the suit.”