to pack into his diaper bag. No way I’d be able to stay in this house without pacing a hole in the floor. Maybe I’d crack a few beers with Wren instead despite it being nine in the morning.
Last night had been an amalgamation of many things, and I wasn’t sure if they’d all been good or bad. This crossroads we were at just kept getting darker, making it harder to see the right path ahead. I grabbed River’s diaper bag and started to fill it when I paused at the folded sheet of paper inside. Setting aside the items I was holding, I plucked the note from the bag and unfolded it. There was only a name and number written inside, but it was enough to make my blood boil. What if her “interview” was really a date?
I crumbled the note in my fist.
Storming from the room, I located my old phone and opened the tracking app I never got around to deleting. If I hadn’t made myself perfectly clear before, I’d make sure Tyra understood every word I uttered this time around.
“YOU COME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. CHARLIE’S one of our top girls here, and if she says to give you a shot, I’m not inclined to argue. When can you start?”
I never imagined a job offer making my gut pool with dread rather than relief. It wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing in a million years, but I also never predicted these circumstances, either.
“How about tonight?”
Neil, the club manager, didn’t seem surprised by my eagerness. Many of the girls who’d passed through those doors had likely been in similar straits. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing it for a good time. It was all about the easy money.
My new boss nodded as he shifted around some papers. “Tonight’s good. It’s a weekday, and we’ll need to train you, so don’t expect too much action on the first night.”
“I’m good with slow.”
The manager’s gaze raked me in that assessing way Charlie’s had before he shrugged. “Then enjoy it while it lasts, kid. You’ll be a favorite in no time.”
I slowly rose from my chair, ignoring the urge to tell him that I’d reconsidered. Rather than warning him about how wrong I was for this job, I heard myself thanking him for the opportunity. He simply waved me out the door, and I quickly obliged him. As I made my way toward the exit, I wisely kept my gaze off the huge platform in the center.
I could do this.
For River, I could do this.
I didn’t want to think about whether it would be enough to pay for River’s medical expenses as well as Harvard. Maybe Vaughn could help, but it wouldn’t be fair of me to put it all on him even if he could afford it.
I was in my car and a few miles down the road when I passed a familiar looking van. I glanced in my rearview in time to see the back lights as the driver slammed on brakes. A second later, it made a U-turn in the street and was barreling after me. Knowing it could only be my son’s father stalking me, I sighed and pulled over on the side of the road. Getting out, I met him halfway, trying not to snicker at the sight of him climbing from the minivan. I was the first to speak.
“Is River okay?”
“Who the hell is Charlie?”
I was frowning until he held up the paper with Charlene’s name and number. I didn’t bother telling him that Charlie was a nickname, though. Instead, I folded my arms. “Why?”
His brows dipped even further if that was possible. “Why what?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Because I thought I made it clear that you weren’t seeing other guys.”
“But you can see other women? Is that the double standard you’re trying to force on me? How did you even find me?”
“That’s for me to know.”
“Yeah? Well, so is Charlie.” I spun on my heel and started for my car. Vaughn, knowing he couldn’t stop me from walking away or dating if I pleased, didn’t stop me. I wasn’t about to let him bully me into being with him when he couldn’t even be man enough to admit that it was what he wanted. I mean, when was that ever acceptable?
Smart enough not to let Vaughn get me alone, I decided I needed some girl time. Vaughn, wouldn’t you know, followed me like a class-A stalker the entire way there. I guess it was