Dirty Secrets (Get Dirty 4)

Now I have the chance to not just instill a love of ballet in upcoming stars, but maybe help everyday women feel a little extra special too. It’s heady. I mean, I can actually make a difference in the world, as small as it might be.

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in. I’m definitely in for the private classes and a couple of weekly public ones too, as long as that’s in addition to the ballet classes currently on my schedule.”

Donna nods. “Of course. The company performance wouldn’t be the same without you, and the kids respond well to your teaching.”

I bite my lip, thinking quickly. “As for the pole classes, I’m definitely interested, but I’ll need to do some research to see what the investment costs would be. Money’s always an issue, and it sounds like this could be a big undertaking. But my answer’s yes, if you’ll let me do some homework.”

Donna claps again, happy. “Whatever you need, but I’ll say that we need to strike while the iron is hot. Let’s get this rolling as fast as possible. Even if it’s pole-less.”

She offers me her hand, and I reach across the desk and shake it, the reality suddenly hitting me.

I can do this.

I am doing this.

I spend the rest of the day clicking around online, doing as much research as I can, from vendors to construction. I fall down the rabbit hole of watching videos of classes other studios offer to see what the competition is like too, but Donna’s right.

There’s nothing like what we’re talking about doing within a hundred miles of East Robinsville. It’s an untapped market, and we can be first to fill that need, even if it’s a need people don’t know exists . . . yet.

Hours later, I have what I think is a pretty good grip on what it’d cost to get started on paper. But it’s admittedly a bit daunting and makes me question myself. I need backup. I move my laptop to the coffee table and flop onto the couch as I dial the one person who can talk me through this, my friend Maggie. She doesn’t even answer with a hello but instead launches in full-on.

“Hey, girl! Long time no talk! What’s up?”

That’s Mags. Got me smiling before I even said a word. “Hey, Maggie. I know. It’s been what, two weeks since we talked? I miss your face!”

That’s not really that long, especially in the busy world she lives in these days, but I have missed her.

“Miss you too. But I’ve been out on assignment, and my new contract starts in two days. I’m just trying to decompress before I’m gone again.”

“Wow, sounds intense.”

That’s putting it mildly, to say the least. Maggie works as a sort of ‘researcher’ for the FBI. Considering her past as an investigative journalist, she’s good at her job. She’s kind of the last person you’d suspect because she comes off as sweet and innocent, but beneath the surface lurks a whip-smart brain.

And her brain is what I need. I give her the short version of everything that’s happened and what Donna proposed. Maggie hums in all the right places, tells me she’s pulling up Jenny Wartham’s Instagram, oohing and ahhing over the racy sections.

“Okay, this all sounds great, and your business plans seem sound, especially if you have the money. Invest in yourself, Allie.”

I hum, waffling even though I know what I want to do. I’m just not sure it’s the smart thing to do, especially when I have other debts that should probably take priority to my chasing a dream I never knew I had. But maybe this dream is the thing that could finally pay off those debts completely.

“You think so?”

She tsks through the line, as if I’m a naughty student. “You said the class went well, the women obviously felt like it did, and you made bank. You can duplicate that experience with no problem, and it sounds like people want you to. Expanding into pole classes sounds solid too, because Lord knows, you’ve got crazy skills on the pole. And it’s a way for you to share that without . . .”

She pauses, and I know what she’s going to say, so I finish the sentence for her. “Without getting naked on stage.” I sigh, knowing she’s right.

I certainly never thought I’d be a stripper, and while I don’t get naked, only stripping down to a G-string and tiny bra tops, there’s definitely something naughty about it.

Of course, I’ll admit to myself that the little bit of exhibitionist in my makeup that makes me a performer is pretty okay with the taboo of stripping. It’s different from ballet, of course, but I do enjoy it. Strutting the stage makes me feel powerful, in command of everyone in the room. Most people think it’s about getting the audience’s attention, but really, it’s about making them hungry for my attention.