When I entered, Gladys was behind the bar, talking to some guy who looked like one of those lawyer types in his black suit and slicked-back hair. I assumed he was there to finalize the deal, so I decided not to disturb them. Instead, I continued to the back in hopes of finding Marlowe. When I walked in, I found her busy washing dishes. Her long hair was pulled up, and she was wearing jeans that clung to her ass in all the right ways. I thought she hadn’t noticed I’d entered the room until she glanced over her shoulder and said, “I thought you were going to the clubhouse.”
“I did, but I thought I’d come by to see how you were doing.”
“Oh.” She turned off the water and tossed her rag in the sink. “I take it you heard the news about Gladys selling the bar.”
I nodded. “Country mentioned something about it.”
“Well, it’s sweet of you to come by and check on me, but I’m fine.” I could tell by Marlowe’s tone she was worried, but she continued with her brave front and smiled. “I knew it was coming. Gladys has been talking about closing down for months now.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“I won’t lie. I’m kind of bummed about the thought of not being here with Gladys and our regulars. They’ve come to mean a lot to me. I’m really going to miss them.” I could hear the sadness in her voice as she spoke, and it was digging at me. I wanted to do something, say something, anything that would make her feel better, but I had no idea what. She gave me a light shrug and continued, “And I’m not exactly thrilled about having to find another job.”
“You got any idea what you’re gonna do?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been checking around.” Marlowe was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact with me, leaving no doubt she was more upset than she was letting on. “I’ll figure something out. Besides, Gladys will give me a great reference, and even if I don’t find a job right away, I’ll still be okay. I have some money saved up, and my rent is paid for the month.”
“You could always come work at Stilettos.”
“Ha! Me as a stripper?” She gasped. “Nooo! I don’t think so.”
“No, not as a stripper, Marlowe,” I chuckled. “As a bartender. In three or four nights, you could make more money than you do here in two weeks.”
“So, I’d actually get to keep my clothes on?” she asked timidly, showing once again how innocent she really was.
“I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.” My eyes drifted over her, and the thought of having her enticing curves on display for anyone other than me made my stomach twist into a knot. Damn. Maybe I was more interested in Marlowe than I’d thought. “Why don’t you come by tonight and check things out for yourself?”
“I would, but I have to work.”
“You don’t think Gladys can make it a few hours without you?”
“Maybe. It’s a weeknight, so things should be pretty slow.”
“Then, it’s worth a shot.” I took a step back and stuck my head through the doorway and called out, “Hey, Gladys. Is it all right with you if Marlowe leaves tonight around eight?”
“Fine with me,” she shouted back. “Planning on closing early tonight anyway.”
“Good deal.” I stepped back into the kitchen with a smile. “Well, looks like it’s all settled. I’ll be back around eight to pick you up.”
“Wait...You don’t have to come pick me up. I can drive over.”
“Not without a car, you can’t.” I’d already called and talked to her mechanic. The fucking transmission was shot and the starter was flaking. It was going to take some time to get the parts in, and when they did, it was going to cost a pretty penny to get it up and running again. Marlowe had enough bad news for one day, so I decided to hold off on telling her until later. “I’ll be back at eight.”
Without giving her a chance to argue further, I turned and walked out of the bar. As I got on my bike and headed toward Stilettos, I started thinking about the offer I’d made to Marlowe, and I began to wonder if I’d made a mistake in suggesting she work there—not because I was worried she wouldn’t do a good job. Hell, she’d give Lisa, our lead bartender, a run for her money, but Marlowe was timid and sweet. At the strip club, she’d be a lamb in a den of lions. If she was going to make it there, she’d have to put some grit into her step and prove she could handle whatever came her way—including the horny assholes who’d want to get in her pants.
I’d have to make sure she knew what she was getting into, and not with just the customers. She’d have to understand how things worked with the club as well, but before any of that could happen, I’d need to talk to Menace. He was the one in charge of the books and did most of the hiring at the club, so he’d have the final say in whether or not she could work there. There was just one problem. We’d barely laid eyes on Menace since he’d been consumed with finding that professor, Schommer. He was always cooped up in his office, hammering away at his computer, and it was no different today. When I walked into his office, I found him sitting at his desk staring at his monitor, and from the looks of it, he hadn’t slept in days. Hell, he didn’t even notice I’d come in.