“It’s outside the high-rise. I assumed you wouldn’t want to leave yet.”
Evie realized it wasn’t disapproval she’d seen in Natalya’s eyes. It was worry. It made her annoyance dissipate.
“I didn’t think that far,” she admitted, voice small. “I just got the job a few weeks ago. And I was excited, I guess.”
“Do you want to go?”
“I don’t know…” Evie lowered her eyes. They burned suddenly, and she rubbed them with her free hand. “It would be one thing losing the cleaning shifts, but the classes… I like teaching. I’d miss it, but it… It’s dangerous outside.”
The words hurt to say. Working in the dance studio had brought a sense of normalcy. It was a mark of independence she’d been missing for over a year. The classes were a highlight for her. Something to look forward to. Now, the thought of leaving the high-rise filled her with dread.
She almost couldn’t bear it if Stefano took this too.
“You can still go.” Natalya’s soft voice made Evie look up again, and Natalya offered a calming, strangely understanding smile. “It’s in the day hours. And nearby. We can send a guard with you to keep you safe.”
Evie was about to protest when she understood the implications of what Natalya had just said. She frowned. “How do you know when I’m working?”
Natalya looked a little impressed. “You’re quite observant, you know that? I was curious how you were doing, so I asked Lily and Blake. Though Lily was the only one who’d share anything. Blake doesn’t tattle.” Natalya scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Her words, not mine.”
That made Evie smile. Blake hadn’t been as immediately likable as Lily, but she was loyal to a fault, and Evie had come to care for her. It helped that Blake never hid how she felt about a person. If Blake didn’t like someone, she made sure they knew.
“Sounds like Blake. But I don’t know if I should go. I don’t want to put you out more than I already am.”
“You wouldn’t be.” Natalya started wrapping Evie’s hand in a bandage. “I wouldn’t make the offer if it wasn’t genuine. I’m many things, but a trickster isn’t one of them. We have enough fae to fill our quota of mischief. Sins, Flea would fill it on his own if we let him.”
Evie laughed, and Natalya’s eyes glinted at the sound.
“You have a pretty laugh.”
Evie wasn’t sure if it was consideration or chance that made Natalya look down at Evie’s hand. She was thankful for it regardless. She had a feeling the compliment had made her blush.
“Have you taught dancing before?” Natalya was finishing up the bandaging.
“I did back in New Orleans. I taught part-time and had regular shifts at a club. Some freelance gigs too. Nothing fancy, mostly pole dancing at events and stuff like that. I prefer stage work, but private dances are usually where the money is.”
“I would expect so. Men tend to burn more money if they feel they have your full attention. That’s my experience, at least.”
Natalya would know all about getting male attention, gorgeous as she was. The attention Eviehadgotten, she hadn’t known what to do with. She’d never been good at selling her attraction to men as genuine. It was just part of the job. There wasn’t anything else to it.
“I tried to stick to the stage mostly,” Evie said. “Didn’t pay as well, but it paid enough. Even though it meant most of mystilettos got painted in with marker rather than replaced. You know, if they got scratched.”
“Glad to know that trick is still being used,” Natalya said with a smile. “You must be good if you’re able to teach. Ever compete?”
Evie blinked, surprised at the question.
“I was going to, actually. Started training for it a couple years ago. Probably wouldn’t have gotten very far, but I’ve wanted to try for years.” Evie couldn’t help but chuckle at the conversation. “These aren’t usually the questions asked about my job. Most people think it’s awkward to talk about.”
“Most people judge, you mean?” Natalya gave her such an inviting smile it felt almost infectious. “You smile when you talk about it. You obviously like it. There’s nothing to judge.”
“Still…” Evie wasn’t used to people paying attention to her in this way. It made her feel strange. “Weird questions.”
“Want me to ask what your stage name is instead?”
It was clearly meant to be a joke, but it hit a bit too hard. It brought up bad memories.
“I just went by Evelyn,” Evie said quietly. “Asking if you wanted an ‘Eve with Evelyn’ had a decent ring to it.”
It was how she’d approached Stefano in the Love Light. He’d been milling around, talking to the different dancers, and leaving generous tips for the girls working the stage. Evie had approached him, said her signature line, and gotten him into a private dance.
