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Bex nudges me, and I follow dumbfounded across the room.
Shayla has a glass waiting for me when I sit. “Here’s your favorite.”
She pops the lids off three fresh bottles and lines them up on the bar. “This round is on me.”
“Not necessary.” Abe pulls out his credit card.
“This round’s on me. Next one on Tom.” She waves him off and reads Lucas’s plaque, her lips twitching. “You don’t strike me as a professional with erotic dancers.”
“Been to my share of gentlemen’s clubs,” he boasts, squaring his shoulders. “Dancers need rehab, too.”
“I’m sure they do. Lucky for them, you’re ready and willing to provide specialized service.”
The way she says it has me coming out of my stupor from the last few minutes. “Let’s not encourage. His head is big enough.”
“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t hate. I think I’m on to something here. Maybe need to frequent all the clubs in town to research. When I pass the exam and start full-time at the clinic, it’ll be good to be prepared.”
“Why did Tom make us move?” I blurt, unable to stop myself.
Shayla casts her gaze to the end of the bar and a group of men. “Those guys are on the force. They clocked you and Bex immediately. Having Abe and Lucas was a shield until Lucas flirted with the chick at table nine. Tom didn’t like their attention on you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I wave over my face and body. “Nothing sexy happening here.”
“I get what you think, but you’re wrong. Jewls and Harley both worked behind this bar until recognizably pregnant. They still had admirers.”
“Because they are gorgeous.”
Shayla arches her eyebrows with a bored expression. “Yeah, they also had rocks on their fingers and overprotective ogres. You’re not sporting a rock yet, and Tom knows how this goes. Talon bugged your conversation with your own mother because he’s a member of the ogre club.”
Not surprised Shayla knows about my lunch. “That was different. He was concerned about Stacy’s intentions.”
“True, but like I said, those guys at the end of the bar are on the force. Talon walks in here and sees them making a move, it won’t be pretty. Tom doesn’t like bar brawls. They’re messy. So, sit your pretty little ass in that stool and have fun. Enjoy your drink, and let me know when you need a refill. Tom ordered a case of that fancy-schmancy peach-infused vodka you like. Since I can’t do specialty martinis until next ladies’ night, you need to put a dent in the inventory.”
Warmth spreads through me as I peer at Tom scowling our way. His gaze meets mine and softens before the grumpiness reappears. I lift my glass to him with a smile. “Not sure I can put a dent in the inventory in one night, but I’ll try.”
“Good girl, now I must return to my customers and flirt my ass off before my own overprotective ogre comes in.” She may roll her eyes as she prances away, but they dance with excitement at the mention of Collin.
“Gotta say, Wills, never saw this coming. Years of inviting you out, only to be turned down. Now we get VIP seating, free drinks, and personalized service.” Lucas clinks the rim of his bottle to my glass. “Nice.”
I take a drink and glimpse around the bar with a renewed sense of appreciation. “I love this place.”
Abe takes a swig of his beer and rakes his eyes over us. “The clinic won’t be the same without you three these next weeks. I expect you’ll pass the exam with flying colors, but on the off chance you don’t, I’ll hound your asses.”
“Aww, Abe likes us, he really likes us.” Bex curves her hands into a heart shape.
“I’ve trained you to competence, don’t want to start over.”
I sit up straighter, knowing we lucked out by being assigned to Abraham Koch. Not only did we get to stay together, but we had a great role model. All of us have been offered positions withthe Rehabilitation Company upon passing the exam. Being peers in the same clinic is like hitting a jackpot.
“To working together full-time!” I raise my drink in toast.
“And being the best Physical Therapist to the female dancer population in Nashville,” Lucas adds.
“You do know there are male dancers, too?” Abe says, motioning to Shayla for another round.
“You need to frequent the clubs to be an equal-opportunity therapist,” Bex suggests. “Add male reviews to your research agenda.”
An idea hits me full-on. “That’s brilliant, Bex.”