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Dreams are weird, but my life is even weirder.

Staring at the mix of blue-collar guys and businessmen taking a load off after work as I exude sexy goddess working the pole, I wonder how I’m feeling about all of it. One guy is biting his lip. Another just winked at me. I’m obliged to wink back since he’s holding a stack of twenties.

What have I become?

Definitely not saving the world anytime soon.

Was I ever, though? Sitting in a library tearing through contracts didn’t feel like much. A cog in the legal machine.

My head goes round and round, just like my body twisting on the pole. When I anchor my legs near the top and let myself lay suspended upside down, I’m almost sure I’m hallucinating. Agroup just walked up to the bar who look remarkably like my old friends.

Oh shit.

That’s Jacky. That’s Gil.

I flip right-side-up and continue my dance with my ass to them, throwing dagger eyes at Bruno. He’s preoccupied with Chestnut and doesn’t notice. How the hell did Gil get in here? Didn’t we put notice out on him?

I look over my shoulder seductively, and realize why. He cut his hair. Now he looks even more like Michael Phelps. Jacky still looks like a raver whenever she’s not lawyering, and the others have big smiles on their faces.

“Wait ’til she turns around. Iswearit’s her,” Gil’s voice carries.

My heartrate spikes. I can feel my palms becoming sweaty as I grab the pole, my throat running dry.

There’s nowhere to run or hide without making a scene.

Shit.

I can’t blow my cover.

I’m supposed to be hidden in plain sight.

A loud whistle pierces my ear.

“Turn around, sweetheart,” an older regular says. “Since you won’t give me a dance, at least let me see the doll face.”

I shut my eyes tight, steeling myself for a bunch of familiar faces.

Whoosh!

A quick spin splashes my hair across my face – mouth open, hands on my breasts as I continue my routine without a hitch.Act normal.

“See,look!” Gil points, but I focus only on the regular who’s throwing twenties at me.

Jacky leans over the bar. I missed her cute freckled face, if I’m being honest. My old life is literally staring right at me.

“Wow.” Jacky sits there with her mouth hanging open. “It’s official, guys. Capri has a twin we didn’t know about.”

“Ain’t she beautiful?” The blue-collar worker next to her elbows Jacky lightly. “Been ogling Misty for months now. Girl next door.”

“Yeah, she looks just like—”

Istompmy heel and drop to my knees, crawling toward them. She’s going to blow my cover right now unless I do something. My eyes lock with Jacky’s, and I curl my finger, demanding her lean over the bar.

She smiles at me, still in awe at how remarkably I look like myself.

Once she’s close enough, I grab her chin and pull her close so my lips are on her ear.

“Don’t react. Don’t say my name. Just know, I miss you guys,”I whisper.