The Dancer

We watched them move around the room looking at shit and putting it back, talking and laughing. I noticed that she’d put shit back after seeing the price and stored that information away for later.

And then it happened. It was so fast if we hadn’t been looking we would’ve missed it. Someone, a woman, walked past her while she was standing at one of the tables and dropped something in one of her bags before walking away.

Her face was hidden behind the over sized shades but it was obvious she was wearing a wig because it was a little off center. “Who the fuck is that?” They rewound the tape a few times but it was no use, the person kept their face well hidden from the cameras.

I had a pretty good idea though from the knots in my gut. Tony and I exchanged a look before I turned to the general manager who was now full of apologies. “Can we leave?”

“Yes, yes of course, sorry for the inconvenience sir.”

“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to her, the two of them.” He did that as he followed us from the room.

I motioned for Tony to take her out ahead of me and turned back to the manager. “You know how you can make this up to me? Go back through the tape and find all the shit she put back. Bill it to me and have it sent over.”

He was all smiles and gratitude as I walked away after giving him my information. Sherrie was grilling Tony who had already seated Anna in the backseat for the ride around the corner to my place. Needless to say shopping day was over.

Chapter 36

She was still a bit shook when we made it back to the apartment but at least she’d lost that haunted look from her face. Sherrie was pissed and making a lot of noise, she was ready to fight, and I was giving serious thought to taking my girl somewhere away from all this bullshit.

“I don’t understand, who would do that?” I didn’t tell her that I suspected I knew who it was. I hadn’t told her any of what had been going on at the club or even who Ray Morrison really was because that shit wasn’t supposed to touch her.

“Don’t think about it baby, I’ll take care of it.” Yeah, once and for all. It seems like everything and everyone was conspiring to fuck with my life and hers. I pulled her in, giving her some of my warmth and wishing like hell I could be two places at once.

“The only thing I want you to think about is your opening tomorrow. Did you find something nice to wear?” I was trying to take her mind off this shit.

“Yes, but it’s a surprise.”

“I can’t even get a little peek baby?”

“Nope, where’s Sherrie?” She pulled away from me and headed down the hallway to the kitchen where Sherrie was still giving Tony hell.

“Are we still on for tomorrow?”

“Of course, what kind of question is that? I’ve got my sitter all lined up. I’m ready to get my groove on.” The nut did a little jig before grabbing my girl for a hug and heading for the door.

“You better handle that shit before I do.” Sherrie whispered that cryptic shit to me before closing the door. A look at Tony confirmed what I suspected; he told her. I don’t know why the fuck he’d want to do that.

Anna disappeared into the bedroom leaving me alone with him. “Tell me you didn’t tell Sherrie about Arlene.”

“She nagged that shit out of me. Trust me, it was easier than dealing with her shit. She promised not to tell Annabelle.”

“And you believed her?” There was no point worrying about it now. I was going to take care of shit before end of day Wednesday. I’d told him and Travis that I wanted to give Anna my ring but there was something I needed to do first, and I’m still holding to that shit. Nothing is going to derail my plans. If I could just keep shit from touching her in the meantime I’d be straight.

Right now I want to make sure her opening party goes off without a hitch, and then I’d take care of the drama. I’ve never had this much upheaval in my life at once and I wondered if this was going to be the new thing.

Not that I was blaming her, I’m not that much of a dick. But the damn girl was going to keep me worrying for the rest of my damn life if this shit keeps up. Then again Arlene was the one who’d started this shit in the first place so it was really my problem. Damn!

I stayed close to her for the rest of the day while she kept busy with last minute things for the party. I debated whether or not to tell her that her dad was in the city but decided not to in the end. I didn’t want anything else spoiling her time.