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"So, did you post it online?" The girl stares back, her mouth wide open.

"We did. It got quite a few hits, like almost 40,000 the last time I checked. That was months ago, I'm sure it's way more now. I don't promote it like I used to. I'm over Sebastian. It's fun to look back on, though. He saw it online, you know."

"No!"

"Yes! He even commented, asking us to take it down.

Which we ignored. He doesn't know who we are and that, my friend, adds a certain sweetness to the revenge.

It's torturous for him, not having control.

I took my power back and that feels so much better than the way I felt leaving his party.

" I extend my hand. "I'm Aria, by the way. "

She palms her forehead. "Where's my mind? I'm Aya." She shakes my hand. "You know, I'm glad you're here." She sits there shaking her head and rubbing her belly. "It's been one crazy morning."

For the first time since I sat down, I notice that her belly is bigger than it should be for a girl as slender as she is. The baggy clothes aren't questionable fashion, they have a purpose.

"Thanks for taking my mind off all this."

"No worries. It's kind of cathartic. Helping me to work through some things I hadn't really paid attention to before."

"One hand washes the other."

"True Dat." I raise my eyebrows and glance to the side.

Aya cocks a half smile and snickers to herself.

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"Someone's in a hurry."

I brush past Sasha, to head to the Powder Room. "I was supposed to be here to help set up. Please tell me you did the prep?" I yell from across the empty club.

"I'm on it, no worries! Why are you dressed like that?"

"Just left a dinner interview. First round.

For a corporate grocery chain. They filter out potentials by pitting us up against each other over a formal dinner.

There were at least a hundred of us. All hungry, ready to kill each other to get a spot in the top ten.

It was ruthless." I back into the door, pushing it open.

Sasha follows me in. "So how did you do?"

Kicking my shoes off, I unbutton my blouse and take off my business slacks.

"It was cool. I think I made a decent impression.

You should've seen it. There was all this extra silverware.

I felt like they were watching us to see if we knew which fork to use or something.

Sorry! Missed out on etiquette class! I didn't like that part.

" I grab my all-black club attire and get dressed.

"But I did try to step up and answer their questions and ask some of my own.

I don't know. We'll see. I have a bunch of interviews coming up next week so it's not my only option but it's a good one.

Their program starts you out at 100k a year. "

"Oh! That's nice. Let me know how it goes. I'm rooting for you. Glad I have one more year before I enter the rat race. I'll finish setting up for the night." Sasha leaves the Powder Room.

I re-emerge into the club to find dimmed lights and bass bouncing off the walls as DJ Lex mixes dance songs. Club goers pile in and the night is getting started.

Surprised to see Phoenix in the crowd, a jolt of excitement forces me to catch my breath. "Hey stranger. Look at what the cat dragged in." I didn't intend for it come out so flirty but my pulse races, nonetheless.

"Aria! Hey." Phoenix smiles as if there's an inside joke I'm not privy to. "How are you?" His eyes trace my body from top to bottom, as if he's trying to permanently imprint my likeness into his mind.

I like the idea of being the object of his curiosity. I feel his eyes wash over my body. The area between my thighs tingles as I see his dark almond-shaped eyes watching me.

God, he's good-looking. "I'm . . . uh . . . good."

"I overheard, you were looking for a job?" he inquires.

"You were here earlier?"

"Yeah, I met with Nick on business before the club opened."

"I was coming from an interview. I'm looking for a job. A real job." I straighten my posture. "A grown-up job to, you know, jump start my career."

"Really? What can you do?" he challenges me.

"You know I graduated, right? I told you, I have a degree in English."

"So, what? What are you gonna do with an English degree? You work in a club." He stands confidently with his hands in the pockets of his black slacks.

Another impossibly sexy move. "Use your imagination . . . I mean, that doesn't preclude me from branching out to bigger, better things. I have goals, you know."

"Like what? You think you're gonna leap from being a waitress to working in some high-powered position in the corporate world?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I have experience writing, working in marketing. I interned for Davidson and Blackwell last summer." I cross my arms and cock my head to the side.

"At their corporate headquarters in Waukesha?"

"Yes, and if you were smart, you'd hire me." The neck swivel was probably a bit much.

"I live in the subdivision across the street from their headquarters.

Nice." He pauses for a moment, rubbing his facial stubble.

Then his eyes light up. "OK, smartass. I'll tell you what, get your resume together, I'll take a look at it.

If I like what I see, I'll plug you in an interview with Ally Williams. She's the head of my marketing department.

The decision is hers from there. If she hires you, I guess you got a job. "

"You'd give me a shot? You won't regret it! I'll be the best thing that ever happened to you!"

"We'll see." He flashes that sexy smile of his.

I'm finally catching a break. "So, what are you having? It's on me."

"You sure? You know I get bottles."

"Well, I can afford it now, with that 10k you dropped on me. Oh, and about that."

"You're welcome!" He beams, standing there filling that crisp white shirt in all the right places. No tie and a couple of buttons left undone gives him a relaxed look. Relaxation looks good on him.

"I wasn't thanking you . . . although it really is thoughtful.

So nice. You're right I should thank you.

" I stumble over my own words. "Thank you but I was going to say .

. . it's too much. As much as I'd like to keep it, I don't want you getting the wrong idea about me.

I appreciate the gesture, but I can't accept it.

Here. I've been carrying this around hoping to see you.

" I take the envelope out of my money apron and offer it to him.

Phoenix takes my hand and pushes it back. "No, this is for you. I mean it and I don't think of you in any way, but the way you present yourself. It's fine, trust me."

"Please, just take it back."

"What you think? I do take-backs? Keep it. It's yours, you earned it."

"I can't."

"I didn't even tip you that night. Listen, if you must, give it away. But I'm not taking it back."

"You really won't take it back, will you?"

"Nope!" He shakes his head vehemently.

"Huh! Um . . . well . . . let me get you that bottle." Dismayed at his refusal, I rush off to the bar. As I'm leaving, a woman dressed in a tight purple bandage dress walks up to Phoenix and hooks her arm into his. In a knee-jerk reaction, he pulls away from her.

Who is she? His friend? His sister? She's average looking. Layered mid-length dark hair. Tawny skin. Loud makeup. Nothing special.

When I return to the table, I notice she's still there, sitting on the couch next to Phoenix as he talks with a guy across the table.

I flash her a winning smile. "Hi."

"Hmm. Hello," she replies dryly.

I set the table with the bottle, glasses, juice, and ice. Phoenix turns to me and introduces her. "Hey Aria, this is Kim."

I extend my hand.

"Nice to meet you." She shakes my hand.

Putting on my most professional face, I ask, "Is there anything else I can get you?" I glance back and forth at them, trying to discern their relationship.

"We're good. Thanks, Aria but make sure you come back and check on us," Phoenix's voice is deep and smooth and reverberates over my body like silk but I want nothing to do with a guy that's taken. I'm not Trina.

I walk away, thoughts racing a mile a minute. Something isn't right between them. If I had to guess, I'd say they were a couple but they don't look happy together and who wouldn't be happy in a place like Lotus? This club is pure fun. I smell trouble brewing in paradise.

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