“No, it’s a dress. The material’s stretchy.”
When I finally get it on and everything into place, I do a quick twirl for him. “It looks like the top half of Marilyn Monroe’s dress from that movie.”
I press my hands to the top of my thighs and lean over, imitating the famous pose from Some Like It Hot while also checking to make sure my boobs won’t pop free. “Well, at least if I find myself bending over while standing on a subway grate at some point tonight, my skirt won’t fly up.”
“Funny girl. You bend over in that thing, you’ll flash your ass to the world, and I’ll be gouging out the eyeballs of every man who takes a peek.” As if he didn’t just threaten to maim half of Hollywood, he holds up a pair of jeans. “I’m dressing up too. Freshly laundered gray jeans and Chucks.”
“Fancy.”
“Thought you’d approve.”
I grab a pair of silver heels and a small silver clutch from the top shelf of my closet.
Someone bangs on our front door.
Chaser glances up. “Probably the guys.”
“I’ll answer it. Finish getting dressed,” I call over my shoulder.
Alvin and Garrett’s voices come through clearly, but I still stop and check the peephole before opening the door.
“Wow.” Garrett whistles and allows his gaze to roam over me for a few seconds longer than comfortable. “I guess you’re coming out with us, Mallory?”
“Well, uh, Chaser said…” I step back for them to come inside.
Alvin shakes his head and mouths “ignore him” behind Garrett’s back. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Alvin.”
“Yes, she’s coming with us.” Chaser’s warning tone can’t be mistaken. He strides into the room, shirtless and still buckling his belt. “What’s your problem, Garrett?”
“Nothing, we’ve been waiting. You said you’d be right down.”
Chaser’s mouth quirks as he catches my eye. “Yeah, had to take care of something first.”
My cheeks heat up, but I can’t tear my gaze away from him.
“We know,” Jacob shouts, strolling through the doorway. He nods at me. “Could hear her shrieking like a banshee a block away.”
The heat from my face spreads down my neck. “W-what?”
Garrett doubles over laughing, while Alvin just shakes his head.
“We thought it was an earthquake at first.” Jacob points at the ceiling. “Except all the noises and shaking were coming from above.”
Chaser’s expression darkens, but he casually slips on his shirt and moves closer to me, curling his arm around my waist. “I know you’re unfamiliar with the concept, but those are the sounds a satisfied woman makes.”
Frowning, I shift my gaze Chaser’s way. How is that helpful?
Jacob doesn’t seem to detect the threat in Chaser’s tone. I’ve always assumed Jacob was the kind of kid who needed to be electrocuted a few times before he’d stop sticking his fingers in the electrical socket.
“Well, maybe next time, you should invite us up for a little education.” Jacob smirks.
Garrett and Alvin fall silent.
“What did you say?” Chaser’s low, threatening tone wipes the smile off Jacob’s face.
“I’m just fucking with you.” Jacob lifts his chin at me. “Mal knows I’m kidding, right?”
Sure, this is the face of a person who’s in on the joke.
“Stop being a dick, Jacob.” Alvin moves between Chaser and Jacob. “Are we going or not?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Jacob jerks his head toward the door. “Although Garrett and I talked about checking out Seven Sins instead of The Palace.”
Chaser stops moving. “I thought you wanted to have a laugh at Wishing Well?”
“I don’t mind,” I whisper to Chaser. “It’s fine.” Sure, Seven Sins is a strip club. And more than one person has suggested I apply for a job there since I arrived in Hollywood. According to Vickie, the girls are stunning, and it’s where most of the local bands find their future wives.
“Worried Bongo will offer Mallory a job?” Jacob punctuates his obnoxious question with a laugh.
“Let’s just go to The Palace like we planned,” Alvin pleads. “Rich is always asking us to stop by. You know he’ll set us up with a private table, free food, and drinks. Seven Sins ain’t giving us shit for free.”
“Good point,” Garrett says. “Free gets my vote.”
While Alvin diffused the situation for now, I’m still not reassured as we head out into the night.
Chapter Twelve
Mallory
By the time we make it to The Palace, my feet are killing me. The line to get inside runs down the block. I glance down at my sleek silver heels and say a quick prayer for my pinched toes.
“I can’t believe anyone lines up to see these poseurs,” Jacob grumbles.
The hunk of muscle manning the door scans the crowd. He stops on our party of five and waves us up front.
“Good to see you.” He high-fives Chaser. “Wish you guys were on stage tonight,” he adds in a lower voice.
“When it’s time to hire a bodyguard, the job is yours, Robbie.” Garrett slaps the bouncer on the back.