Page 24 of East

Wait. Fuck.

I approved a half-shift for Wick a few weeks ago. He requested it via email and I allowed it without even thinking. The less time I have to spend in his presence, the better.

But why would he request half the evening off? Social plans? A family obligation? He’s supposed to be back here tomorrow evening, so it’s not like he’s going on vacation or anything.

But if he has a prior obligation, why the hell would he be sticking around Jade? Wouldn’t he take off quickly, give himself plenty of time to get ready for an evening out?

I shift my gaze back toward West. Leo is still manning the bar. The gaggle of sorority sisters that were fawning over Wick are gone. Probably because Leo is terrified of women. He’s a great-looking guy, with a mane of long dirty-blond hair, but he’s always had a difficult time communicating with the opposite sex. Not sure why.

If Leo is on the bar the rest of the night, though, that means Scarlet and Jackie are going to have to cover the rest of the floor by themselves. Two waitresses alone manning Jade is not nearly enough, but I could only afford to keep three waitstaff on—along with the four bartenders—and stay afloat.

I guess the reason he requested the night off is none of my business. I’m the sap who gave him the go-ahead.

Fuck. Me.

But that means the second Leo took over for him, Wick was off the clock. Why the hell would he choose to stay here?

My heart sinks. There’s one reason single men come to this bar, and it’s not the drinks or the dancing.

It’s the women.

Jade’s a great place to pick them up. We’re not membership based like Aces Underground. Anyone who can afford the cover is welcome within our walls. And that includes a lot of eligible local females.

Eligible local females like Thea Storm.

God damn it!

Wick picks up women at Jade all the time. Normally it’s one of those college-aged girls who ogles him while he preps her Wick-sy Sour. They hang around the bar until closing time and then leave on his arm.

This is different though. Wick got the latter half of the evening off, so it doesn’t make any sense why he’s hanging around.

Maybe Thea Storm is just that damned gorgeous.

She certainly caught my attention.

I’ve never been interested in the vapid Kappa-Beta-Whatevers who Wick normally takes home. This is the first time he’s gone for someone I had my eye on.

Granted, I haven’t had my eye on many women over the last few years. Sure, I’ve hooked up here and there to fill my tank, but Thea is the first woman who’s legitimately piqued my interest since…

Since…

Oh God.

Since Rouge Montrose.

“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

“Rouge Montrose. Of the Chicago Montroses?”

I swallow. “I’m not familiar.”

She places a hand against her breast in mock offense. “Goodness. You have much to learn then.” Rouge—that’s seriously her name—crosses her arms. “Do you have a moment to speak?”

“Um… I suppose I do.”

I was going to go home and heat up one of my self-loathing microwave dinners, but I can put that off for a half hour. I don’t know who this woman is, and I frankly don’t care. She’s gorgeous, and I’m already getting aroused just looking at her. There’s an unmistakable allure about her as well, like the fragrance of a Venus fly trap as it seduces an insect into his clutches.

She’s also sticking her tits out, so there’s that.