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“I don’t think politeness has ever featured before in our families.”
She sends me a wry look. “No, you’re right there.”
“I’m guessing your father was as bitter as mine?”
“Ohhhh yes. As a lemon that’s been passed over for a promotion.”
That makes me laugh out loud, and she smiles. Wow. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile, and it lights up her whole face.
“You should do that more often,” I advise.
“You too,” she scolds.
We exchange amused glances. Without meaning to, our gazes lock, the way they did in Jack’s office, and for a moment I can’t look away. Something flares inside me, like striking a match in the dark—bright, sudden, and impossible to ignore.
She wrenches her gaze away, shading her eyes as she looks around the lobby. “What’s that room there?”
“A restaurant. And that’s the club.” I gesture at the double doors. “Lots of people come here just for that.”
“Is it a sex club?”
I stare at her, startled. “What? No! It’s a nightclub. What… how… why would you think it was a sex club?”
“There are rumors.”
“Jesus. Really?”
“You can tell me the truth.”
“Iamtelling you the truth! It’s not a sex club. Although that would be fun, I’m sure. Come on, I’ll show you around.”
“Oh, er…”
I grin. “You won’t be corrupted just walking through the doors, I assure you.” I lead her over, the automatic doors slide open, and we go inside.
It’s quiet now because it doesn’t open until six. I’m very proud of it. It’s decorated with silver and midnight-blue furnishings, and at the back, beyond the stage, is a huge, magnificent clock.
“When it strikes midnight,” I tell her, pointing up at the nets on the ceiling, “they release those, and balloons and silver foil come fluttering down.”
“I feel sorry for the person who has to clean that up.”
I laugh. We walk slowly around, and I can see her taking in the gleaming tables, the spotless carpets, the way the nooks are placed to allow for privacy.
She glances at the smaller stages with the dance poles and says, “So you have dancers here?”
“We do.”
“Do they wear clothing?”
I chuckle. “Yes. No nudity.”
“Do they offer lap dances?”
My lips curve up. “Sometimes.”
“But it’s not a sex club.”
“Nope.”