Mercedes took a step back when she walked in, shook her head, and turned back to me. “How much do they charge to get into this place?”
“Couldn’t say.” I looked around to make sure nobody was listening. “It’s a lot.”
“Then why does it look like this?”
“Because the drinks are the only thing that matter here.” The bar was a small wooden booth set up in the corner. Most of the people waited in line to get to it, which meant that everyone summed us up when we got to the back of the line.
“If anybody asks, your name is Katya, and you only speak Russian.”
“Really?”
“No, I’m just screwing with you.”
She slapped my arm.
“Do you think Natasha fits better?” I asked. “Or maybe Kendall.”
We both laughed.
“I prefer Cinnamon,” she said. “And that’s with an ‘s.’ Don’t you forget it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The drink line moved steadily forward. It didn’t take long for us to be sipping on margaritas at a table in the back. We faced the room, watching people as they moved from one person to the next, fake smiles, hugs, and on to the next victim.
“Over there.” I pointed to a woman laying with her head face first on the bar. “That’s Samantha. She works with me.” I took a picture with my phone.
“You’re terrible, Jake.”
“It’s funny.”
A card table sat in the nearest corner across from us. A mismatched stack of envelopes and pens sat on top. Nobody had made an actual donation. They just paid the entrance fee, so I left Mercedes at the table to make a donation.
I saw her tits bouncing out of the corner of my eye before I noticed her. She must’ve had them upgraded. On the surface, Becky was the sweetest little woman that you ever did see. She looked like a porcelain doll with her straight brown hair and her sky blue evening gown.
When she saw me and stepped closer, I got a better look. The dress barely covered her nipples, and her tits spilled out. Cold as ever, she flashed me a seductive grin and walked away. She wanted me to follow after her and try to talk to her, but that sort of crap never worked on me.
I ignored her for as long as I could, put in my donation, and walked back to the table where Mercedes sat.
“Jake, how are you?” Becky asked. She swept in from the side with her arms outstretched so I’d look like an ass if I didn’t give her a hug.
I was forced to give in. The second I did, she looked me up and down—daring me to try something.
“I don’t know what you think you’re doing. Get the hell away from me, now.” I kept my voice low. I couldn’t have anyone hearing this.
“I don’t want to. I want to play around with your new toy for a little bit.” She flicked the collar of my shirt. “Does she know you’re a monster?” She had a seductive grin. “You can’t control yourself. How are you going to make this work?”
“You know what, woman?” I tried to sidestep her, but she blocked my path. “I don’t have to put up with this crap. And do you keep getting surgeries? Your lip is starting to sag.”
“It won’t last, Jake. You know that.” She reached up and kissed me on the cheek, then looked back at Mercedes. “Come on, let’s go talk to her.” She grabbed me by the arm and wrenched me over to the tables.
“Who is this?” Mercedes asked.
Becky stared at Mercedes with a look of contempt. “See, baby, I’m telling you. You can do a lot better than her.”
“What?” Mercedes stepped around the table, and I had to block her from getting to Becky.
“You’re getting discount rentals, aren’t you?” Becky asked, laughing.