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Criss burst out laughing. “Let me go, pervert.”
Laughing, Lina released her. “If anyone gives you a hard time, come get me.”
“Lina, you can’t fight.”
“Yes, the hell I can. And I can shoot.”
“So, can I. Trust me, I’ll be fine.”
“Alright. I’ve got to go get the other bartenders’ set up. I’ll bring you over a drink to help you relax, okay.”
Criss nodded then watched Lina leave the bathroom. Criss stared into the mirror again. Lina was right, she did look good. Why was she allowing old insecurities to surface tonight? She was no longer the girl who hated the skin she was in.
She was no longer the girl who got picked on because of her hair and because she was heavier than all the other girls in her class. She was a confident, grown ass woman. She was beautiful. She was sexy. Her black girl magic was unstoppable.
Smiling, Criss fluffed her curls then turned and headed to her area. Her walk was fierce as she strode down the corridor. Employees stopped to stare. She kept her eyes forward until she reached the lounge area where she worked. It was on the other side of the club, away from the strippers and the loud music.
It was a place where the gentleman could sit while they waited on their favorite stripper to perform or become available for a lap dance. It was also where some of the patrons came to sober up before they returned home to their husbands and wives.
The band was already there and setting up their set. They appeared shocked when she told them of the new music she wanted to try. Shocked and delighted. However, the way they stared at her made her wish she’d worn a jogging suit over her dress.
“Damn, Criss,” her drummer, Rico, called out. “You lookin good.”
She told herself not to blush. Damn it, she blushed anyway. “Thank you.”
“What’s the occasion?” Paul asked.
“The occasion is I need tips.”
Her crew burst out laughing.
Criss chuckled. “I’m serious guys. You guys are on payroll. I only get paid in tips. I need to make more money. Which is why, I need to dress like this and play sexier songs.”
“We can help you with that,” Rico offered. “Let’s discuss these songs you want to sing.”
Criss huddled in the corner with her band and told them what songs she wanted to sing. Most of the songs were more up to date songs. A few were oldies. But they were sexy. Her crew let her know they could play the songs she’d chosen.
Before they opened the doors to the lounge, they practiced a little. Singing and dancing was in her blood. It was as natural to her as walking. Singing sexy songs and swaying seductively to the beat was natural for her too.
She did it all the time when she was in her bedroom. When she was alone in her bedroom, she was able to release the Sexy Empress. That was what she’d named her alter ego. Tonight, she would let the Sexy Empress out and allow her to do her thang.
“Hey Criss,” Moe, the pianist, called to her. “You ready to open the doors?”
Gripping the mic stand tightly, Criss shook her head.
“What you scared of?” Rico asked.
“I ain’t never scared,” Criss replied, offended.
“Then act like it,” Rico goaded her. “If you ain’t scared, let Moe open the door and let’s get this thing started.”
Criss glanced to the door. In the words of Rico, it was time to get this thing started. Was she ready? Could she do this? Criss took a deep breath and released it slowly. Yes. Yes the fuck she could do this.
She could do anything she put her mind to. She was going to rock this club tonight and make a gang of money. And then she was going to use it to move her and her family as far away from Chicago as she could. Determined to succeed, Criss turned to her pianist.
“Open the doors, Moe. It’s time to do this.”
