I squirm in discomfort, not really wanting to admit to my past but this is my friend, the girl I share an apartment with, right?
Sucking it up, I admit, “My family had some financial problems a while back. I was at college and they wanted me to drop out because they couldn’t afford to carry on paying my fees. My living expenses were covered with my job in a coffee shop. Anyway, there was an advertisement for a new club that had opened so I went along. Instead of being offered a server position, they offered me a dancer position.”
Talya’s face goes blank with shock for a split second before it cracks, her laughter filling the room. “Oh, my God. You’re serious. Well, shit,” she chuckles. “I’m sorry, but you seem more like the church going person than the dancer type.”
If only she knew how right that statement is.
“Look, I made enough money at it to see me through my last semester at college. Most nights I enjoyed it because it made me feel as though I could accomplish anything. I mean, I know being a pole dancer isn’t exactly big time, but for someone who’s as shy as I am, I felt as though it was a start.”
“I’m sorry I laughed. It just didn’t sound like you so it took me by surprise.” Talya reaches out and squeezes my hands.
“I know. I was brought up believing sex outside of marriage was a sin, which I guess is why I tried it more than a few times as soon as I left home.” I give Talya a sly look. “I like hot, sweaty sex. Burns a lot of calories.”
I burst into a fit of giggles when I see the startled look on her face before we both sober up.
“Then if you like hot, sweaty sex why are you having a panic attack at the thought of coming into this club with me?”
“I’m n—” I start to deny the fact. “I don’t know.”
“I do. And it has everything to do with Ramon McKenzie. You need to stop seeing him and get a life. There are more hot guys out there who’d love the chance to take you out, and I’m not just meaning for sex.” She takes my hand as we cross the street.
“I’m used to him, and I like him. He’s good to me when he’s around.” Ramon is reliable, and he doesn’t want much…he’s comfortable, the most comfortable man in my life. My thoughts jump to the other man…Eric. Now Eric confuses me and he’s far from comfortable.
“C’mon. We’ll go in here for a drink and a dance and then we’ll leave, okay?”
I nod, but I’m not really paying attention as I’m lost thinking about Eric.
Is it possible to be attracted to two men at the same time? I didn’t think I was one of those women, but, with how frequently he’s been in my thoughts, whether I’m conscious or unconscious, I’m starting to think I am. At one time, my heart would leap whenever Ramon entered the office, now it does that at the first sight of Eric. Heck, it does that at the first sound of his voice before he even gets into the office. It’s no wonder I’m confused, especially with the hot and cold signals Eric throws at me all the time.
“Sylvia, you’re not listening to me,” Talya complains.
“Sorry.” I come back to the here and now, and realize we’re outside Kenza.
My heart sinks.
“Stop with that look. I told you last week about having tickets for tonight, and you agreed. So here we are.”
She’s right, and I do remember agreeing to come with her.
Talya can make me dizzy sometimes with her plans and with how quickly she sorts things out. I’m more laid back, unless I’m working. There I need to be ready to act, which I guess is why I’m so lazy in my private life.
I met Talya during my last year of college at the coffee shop where she worked. I spent a lot of time drinking coffee while completing my college assignments. They also had free Wi-Fi, which was an added bonus. We hit it off and have been best friends ever since.
We’re nothing alike. Where she’s tall, slim with a short, dark-haired bob, surrounding her face and a decent rack size, I’m short, and petite, although I have big boobs.
Most guys talk to my chest instead of my face, which is funny considering how they have to look down to see both. More often than not, I’ll let it slide, but with other guys, it pisses me the fuck off and they discover just what a five-foot-nothing can do.
As soon as Talya drags me into the club that’s owned by Ramon’s brother, Ruben, the beat of the music vibrates through me.
Ever since his club opened in the heart of Lexington, it’s become one of the hottest nightspots around. Ramon has brought me once when the band ‘Deception’ did a gig here. Totally amazing band, and I’m hoping Ruben manages to talk them into coming back for a night.
“I love this place,” Talya shouts into my ear, startling me by shoving a drink into my hand. “Smile.” She bumps into me with her hip.
I laugh. Instead of bumping hips, she nearly knocked the drink over my boobs.
She rolls her eyes.