Page 12 of Angels & Whiskey

“Would you …” She paused, kicking the sand with her bare foot. “Would you like to come in for coffee when you drop me off?”

Coffee after a date was the universal code for sex. I heard the voices again. “Cochran would want you to be happy.” I knew Christine was just a client, but it had been too long since I’d had sex. This was a stepping-stone into moving on. I’d never forget Alyssa. I never wanted to love another, but I had needs and Jackson was right; I couldn’t use my hand forever.

“Yeah, let’s go. I bet you’re cold in your dress.”

As I sat at my dining room table, drinking my morning coffee, I realized I’d come a long way since my first date three years ago. Christine was a regular for me, but I still hadn’t been able to fulfill any requests to put my uniform on. Every time I saw it folded in my bottom drawer in my dresser, flashes of Alyssa ran through my head. I just couldn’t do it yet—maybe not ever.

Taking a sip of my coffee, my phone dinged with a text from Bobby.

Bobby:I need you to come have a chat with me when you pick up your paycheck.

His text threw me. He never wanted to talk to me unless it was about a date, and that was done through our online profile on the computer. If it were a date for the same day, he’d text to make sure I checked the back-office on the computer—not face to face like he was now.

I decided to get it over with. The women never seemed to complain, especially the ones I fucked, so I couldn’t imagine what he wanted to talk to me about.

“Hey, Kylee, how’s your day going?” I asked the receptionist when I arrived at Saddles & Racks.

“Hey, Gabe, it’s going well. How about yours?”

“Well, I’ve never been called into the principal’s office before.” I laughed.

“He’s in a good mood. I don’t think it’s anything bad.”

“Good to hear. Can you let him know I’m here?”

“He said to send you back when you stopped by.”

“Awesome. Thank you.” I started to walk away, but then stopped. “By the way, are you still upset the Giants kicked the Royals ass?” I tried not to laugh as I waited for her answer.

“Low blow, Gabe. Low blow.”

“I couldn’t help it.” I roared with laughter. “It’s not every day I get to see your smiling face.”

“Bye, Gabe!” Kylee huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

I waved goodbye, still laughing as I made my way down the long hall toward Bobby’s office. The door was closed, so I knocked.

“Come in,” he called out, so I opened the door.

“Hey,” I greeted. “You rang.”

“Yeah, come sit down, Gabe.” Bobby gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

I stared at him for a beat. This wasn’t going to be good. “Am I in trouble?” I smiled, trying to lighten the mood as I sat in a chair in front of his desk.

“Should you be?” he asked, smiling back.

I raised an eyebrow. “No, don’t think so.”

“Relax.” He leaned back in his black leather office chair, his hands folded in his lap. “I have a proposition for you.”

“You know I only do threesomes with chicks, right?” I grinned.

He laughed. “It’s nothing sexual.”

“All right. Well, let’s get to it then,” I teased, crossing my arms over my chest as I sat back in the chair.

“How do you feel about Vegas?”