Susan nodded emphatically. “What she said.”
“It will get better,” Julia promised.
“We’re holding you to that promise,” Susan said, her expression glum as she attempted a cautious stretch. “But I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Well, she should buy the first round of margaritas when we hit the pub again,” Maggie said.
Julia grinned at her three friends, so grateful for their support. “Deal.”
Music played—guitar with a faint bluesy tone. A husky voice commenced singing, and Julia froze, memories slipping over her. Good memories, ones of laughter and sensuality. Then the words of the song registered, and her heart did a rapid change up in gear. He’d done this for her.
“Oh, my god,” Susan shrieked. “A theme song for the club. It’s perfect.”
“He’s good,” Maggie said.
“I agree,” Christina said, wincing as she shifted her weight and turned to watch Ryan on the stage. “If the rest of his band is as good as him they won’t be roadies for much longer.”
Ryan finished his song and everyone broke into applause. Julia swallowed, the emotions booming inside her almost too much to contain.
He stood and bowed from the waist. “Thank you. Thank you very much,” he said in a corny Elvis impression.
“Back to work everyone,” Julia said, clapping her hands to hurry them along.
“I have suggestions for the costumes,” Christina said, producing a sketchbook from the red tote bag in her left hand. “Do you have time to go over them now?”
“Sure. My office? I’ll meet you there. I want a quick word with Ryan first,” Julia said.
“Clock is ticking,” Christina said. “No dilly-dallying with that handsome husband of yours.”
“I’m the boss. I can dilly if I want.” Two days ago she would have hotly disputed Christina’s words. Even yesterday, but the wretched man had worked his magic once again. And then, to top things off, he’d seduced her with a special song. She turned her back on her grinning friend and strode toward the stage.
“What do you think?”
“I loved it. Thank you. Your song is perfect.”
“Worth a kiss?” His unrepentant grin had an answering smile tugging at her.
Her nose lifted into the air. “Maybe.”
He glanced past her, but Julia didn’t need to turn around to tell everyone was watching them. Not when their gazes bored into her back.
“I’ll record it for you as soon as Caleb gets back from Tauranga. It should be ready for opening night.”
“Thanks,” she whispered, and because she couldn’t resist, she cupped his upturned face between her hands and kissed him. Gentle and sweet, the physical contact sent longing crawling through her veins. When she pulled back, they stared at each other for a long moment.
“Tonight?” he asked.
“Tonight.” Julia turned away because she didn’t trust herself not to touch him again. The guitar started as she hurried to her office. It was something new and foot tapping, a tune to entice her to stay to hear the rest of the song. Unfortunately work and responsibility beckoned. She didn’t search out her friends, keeping her gaze lowered as if she were concentrating on a weighty problem. A sharp snort escaped her. Heck, she wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all her friends. Let the teasing begin.
When she arrived in her mother’s office, Christina had removed fabric samples from her tote bag and opened her sketch book.
“Have you hired any new dancers?”
Julia scowled at her friend’s opening salvo. “No. Most of the decent ones are working at the club down the road. I talked to my mother earlier. From what she said, we’re not likely to find any at present. She’s tried everywhere.”
“I suspected as much,” Christina said. “I might have a way you can work around a staff shortage. Have you decided whether to stick with stripping or are you going to specialize in burlesque?”
“I’m not sure,” Julia said. “My mind keeps going back and forth on this.The Last Frontierhas always been a strip club. It’s what the customers expect.”
