Kaley slipped behind the bar right before ten. Noah handed a soda to a club member and raised his eyebrows. Dang, the place was hopping tonight. She nodded at Noah and began getting drinks. After twenty minutes, the crowd thinned out.
“I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up,” Noah said. “You’re usually here long before your shift starts.”
“Sorry. Anthony took me to dinner, and we lost track of time.” That was a first for her. Even with the uncomfortable conversation, she was at ease mentioning Anthony.
“No worries.” Noah kissed her cheek. “Can you cover until one? I want to scene tonight.”
“Sure. Have fun.”
Noah gave her a wicked look before he stepped out from behind the bar.
Kaley began serving drinks, and Anthony took a seat at the end of the bar. He was staring at her. She worked her way toward him. “Do you want a drink?”
“I’m good. Was Noah upset?”
“No, just making sure I’d cover until one. Noah wants to scene tonight.”
“I see. I’m not sure I like him kissing you, even if it’s on the cheek.”
“He’s a friend, nothing more.” Kaley kept her gaze on Anthony; he didn’t look jealous, and he had no reason to be.
“All right.” More people filled the bar. “Come and talk to me when you can.”
Kaley nodded and moved away. They’d dropped their conversation over dinner because of the time, but she knew Anthony wouldn’t forget.
How could she make him understand that them together was not a good idea. He had money; she didn’t. Even Junior showing up tonight shook her up. Trailer trash. She hated those words with a passion. Would she ever stop thinking of herself like that? She wasn’t trash to be thrown away, and she’d never lived in a trailer in her life. While there were some very beautiful trailers out there, her family home hadn’t been much better than one of those trashy trailers on cinderblocks. She sighed. Maybe she could convince Anthony on the drive home.
* * * *
It was after two before they got out of the club, and Kaley couldn’t stop yawning. Anthony didn’t say much as he drove her home. When he parked in front of her apartment building, she waited. He had told her he preferred to help her in and out of the vehicle.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“I’m coming in and making sure your apartment is safe.”
She opened her mouth, but the look in his eyes told her he’d argue with her all night, and she’d still do what he wanted. With a nod, she started for the front door. Anthony reached around her and pushed the lobby door open as she reached it.
They walked down the hall. “I’d feel better if you were on one of the upper floors.”
Kaley shivered. “Trust me; the first floor is the best.” He waited until she unlocked the door, then he went inside and held his hand up for her to wait. She propped her hip against the door frame and waited. All she wanted to do was change and get into bed.
“All clear. Lock the doors after me, and if you feel unsafe, call me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You better believe it. We’ll continue our conversation later this week.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her lips, then pulled the door closed behind him.
Kaley flipped all the locks and turned. That’s when she saw the white plastic bag sitting in her kitchen. Anthony must have brought her leftover dinner in. She remembered him saying he stuck it in the fridge at the club.
Grabbing the bag, she pushed it into her fridge with a frown. That seemed like an awful lot of food for what she had leftover. She’d deal with it tomorrow. Shutting the fridge, she made her way into her bathroom. A quick brush of the teeth, a change of clothes, and she was climbing into bed. Tomorrow would be filled with office work, verifying next week’s appointments, and making sure all her equipment was clean and in working order.
Chapter Seven
The following weekend, Kaley rushed into Wicked Sanctuary and into the ladies room. Damn! She was running late again, and she hated that. Her last appointment of the day was a client she wasn’t fond of, and tonight, he got a little handsy.
She didn’t want to fire a client, but she recognized there was no other recourse here. Inappropriate remarks and inappropriate contact were non-negotiable. Kaley confronted him and told him if he didn’t stop harassing her not only would she tell his wife, she’d file a sexual harassment suit against him, and a restraining order as well.
He’d backed away so fast she thought he was going to run. In the van, her hands were shaking after the confrontation, but she was proud of herself for standing up to him. She’d called Anthony and told him she’d grab a ride with one of the subs. Luckily for her, Oliver and Rose hadn’t left for the club yet.
