“That’s what I heard.” Julia surveyed the woman and those in front of them. The dress-code seemed on the casual side for the men, but most of the women were dolled up in skimpy dresses or clinging skirts and flimsy tops. She was glad they’d all taken the chance to smarten up.
“I haven’t been here before,” Ryan said. “Is the music live or do they have a DJ?”
“DJ,” the woman said. “He’s good.”
Music swirled out when the door opened. Julia didn’t recognize the song, but it had a strong beat, something people could dance to if they had the inclination. The bouncer let several people inside, including the woman she’d questioned.
“That’s all,” the bouncer said, stopping Julia.
“Isn’t it unusual to restrict numbers this early in the night?” she asked.
“Not my fault,” the bouncer said in a surprisingly high voice, immediately on the defensive.
“Of course it isn’t,” she said soothingly, leaning toward him to highlight her breasts. “What are the owners like? I might apply for a job.”
“Dancer?”
“Yes,” Julia said, blinking her eyelashes in his direction. “I wanted to check out the place first. I’ve been burned before.”
Maggie shifted a fraction beside her. Julia caught a masculine growl of disapproval, and she was sure Connor wasn’t the culprit.
“I don’t think they’re hiring at present,” the bouncer said, noticeably thawing. “You should check at the bar.”
“Thanks. I will.”
A group of six men walked out the door, their dark suits indicating they’d hit the place after a day of work. Interesting. Most clubs didn’t attract this clientele. What were they doing that was so different?
“How many are in your group?” the bouncer asked.
“Seven,” Julia said.
“Close enough. You can go in now. Good luck with the job.”
“Thanks.” Julia flashed a smile and sashayed into the club, putting an extra wiggle in her hips. It was the least she could do in exchange for the information.
“Hey,” Ryan’s arm curved around her waist. “I hope your sexy flounce is for me.”
Her steps became jerky, and he chuckled. She swallowed, knocked off her usual even stride. His arm felt natural around her, damn it. She’d softened naturally, leaning into his warmth. And that was stupid, but right now she was so confused and out of kilter she had difficulty thinking straight.
“Relax.”
“Easy for you to say,” she said. “You don’t have four curious friends trying to grill you for answers. Or a husband who decides he can walk right back into my life when it suits him.”
Ryan’s arm tightened as he guided her into the intimacy of the dimly lit club. “This isn’t easy for me either.”
The tense note in his voice had her searching his face. All this time she’d believed him the bad guy, but what if he spoke the truth? She should own some of the problems with their marriage. She’d seen online pictures almost as soon as the band arrived in Europe, and a part of her had died when they kept appearing. Then the baby… The guilt had overwhelmed her, withering her emotions, plunging her into darkness.
“Meet me for breakfast,” she said.
“Where? When?”
“I thought I’d grab something at the cafe down the road from the club. They always used to do a decent breakfast. I want to get an early start.”
“Good idea,” Maggie said, overhearing them.
“Julia and I are having a private breakfast,” Ryan said.
Maggie’s lips twitched. “You can share a table together.”
