Page 61 of The Naughty Professor

“We’ve got an emergency.Main performer’s out with the flu, and that video of you?Viral.We want you back tonight!”

“Can I?”I said.“Honey, I was born for encores.”

Juniper smacked her forehead.“You did not just say that.”

Randy was still talking.“Also, management wants to make it permanent.Weekends.You in?”

“Permanent?”I smiled.“Tell them to get my lighting cue ready.”

“You’re a lifesaver!Eight o’clock, same slot!”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

The line clicked off.I was still smiling when Juniper said, “Tell me you didn’t just agree to that.”

“I didn’t agree,” I said.“I accepted destiny.”

“You’re not stable!Oh my God, what if something bad happens to you?”

“Stable?So what.Neither’s my dating life.Never stopped me before.”

She threw her hands up.“You’re insane!”

“I’m liberated.”

“You’re in your underwear!!”

“Liberated and half-naked!”

“Oh my God,” she muttered.“You can’t go out like that!”

“Why not?I know these hideous tighty-whiteys gotta go, but I’ve got a few thongs in the car.”

“Because this is Richmond, not Chippendales-on-Campus!”

I winked.“Then I’ll be a cultural event.”

“Dr.Sterling!”

“Jax.”

She jabbed a finger toward the coat rack.“At least wear something.”

Another lab coat hung there, pristine and pure.The irony made me laugh.“A lab coat?You’re adorable.”

“Yes, really!If you’re gonna destroy your reputation, you can at least do it in uniform.”

“You drive a hard bargain, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me sweetheart.”

“Too late.”

She glared, but her lips twitched.“Put it on, or I’m calling campus security.”

I slipped it on, rolled up the sleeves.It gaped open across my chest, which earned another exasperated sigh.

“There,” she said.“Now you just look like a deranged scientist instead of a stripper.”