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“Barry said to get your ass back at the bar.”
Addison rolled her eyes. “You’re in good hands with Ava.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“No problem.” Addison winked and walked away, leaving her with Ava.
“Shelby aka Sunny, goes on stage next, so it’ll probably be about thirty minutes.”
Imogene peered around the room. “Is it okay if I wait for her here?”
Ava shrugged. “I don’t mind you waiting, but you might make the customers uneasy just standing here. You look like a wife searching for her husband. That’s going to put that same thought in all their minds, and they’ll be hightailing it out of here, if they think their wives are on the way to bust them at the strip club.”
That was fair.
Imogene hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “I can go wait at the bar out front.”
Ava slid her hand down Imogene’s arm and grabbed her hand. “No, stay here. Let’s get you set up at the bar so you blend in.”
Ava led her to a spot in the corner, gesturing to a stool, and then went behind the bar.
“First drink is on the house. What would you like?”
“Free?” Imogene chuckled. “That must draw customers in.”
Ava laughed, shaking her head. “Free for you. I make the others pay.”
“Can I have a tequila with lime?”
Ava widened her eyes, and her lips twitched. “I was not expecting that order.” She dropped her elbows to the bar, smiling. “I thought for sure you’d have me making a margarita or daiquiri.”
“I’m not a fan of the fruity drinks. I like my liquor simple.”
“Girl after my own heart.” Ava pushed off the bar, grabbing the bottle from the wall. Imogene watched her make the drink, but glanced over at the stage when the lights dimmed and the music changed.
“That’s Shelby. Good dancer.” Ava paused, and Imogene looked over to find Ava staring at her. “She’s a good girl too. Not in any trouble, right?”
Imogene held up her hand. “Oh no, not at all. I work for a resource center that helps former inmates. We offer help with counseling, job placement, anything to better acclimate them after their release.”
“Shelby was in jail, huh?”
Oh shit! This was not all Imogene’s fault. By law, Shelby was supposed to disclose to her employer that she’d been convicted of a crime. Still, she’d just aired her dirty laundry and possibly got her in trouble.
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Ava scoffed, placing the glass down in front of her. “Girl, I don’t care and neither do any of these men watching her. Everyone makes mistakes, right?”
“Yeah.” Imogene sipped her drink.
This was a prime example of her talking too much.
Imogene heard the faint ring and Ava reached into her back pocket, pulling out her phone. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Hey Kira,” Ava said, releasing a heavy breath.
She stared across the room and a small smile emerged, then she once again shook her head.
“And he said I insisted he play an extra hour tonight?” There was a slight pause. “Put him on the phone.”
