“Hello, Axel.”
“Hey, Sophia.Can we talk?”
“Isn't that what we're doing?”she countered.
“No.I mean in private.”
“If you're here to start more shit—”
“I'm not.Just, please.”
Sighing, she nodded.“Fine.We can talk in the hallway leading to the dressing room.Come on.”
She turned and led him through the front of the club to the door leading to the back area.Once the door was closed behind them, she faced him and crossed her arms.
“You wanted to talk, so talk.”
“Right.Straight to the point.I owe you an apology.”
“Oh?And what exactly are you apologizing for, Axel?”
“I was out of line the other day,” he started.
“You think?”she snarked.
“Damn, you are not going to give me even an inch, are you?Don't answer that.As I was saying, I was out of line.I had no right judging you, or suggesting that you weren't respectable because you worked here.There's absolutely nothing wrong with you being a dancer, regardless of what you wear.You deserved so much better than the way I acted.I was an asshole and I'm sorry."
“Yeah, you were, but, apology accepted.”Then she poked his chest.“Just don't ever do that shit again, because next time, I won't forgive you.”
“Noted, babygirl."He flashed a grin.“You working tonight?”
“Nope.Just here to support the establishment,” she replied.
“Then how about I buy you a drink and we can enjoy the show together?I mean, we're both here, we might as well share a table, right?”
“Fine.Get me a virgin Daiquiri and I'll grab us a table,” she replied after a moment.
Once back in the front of the club, she found a table and when he joined her she took a sip of her drink before she focused on him.
“Tell me something about you that no one else knows,” she said to him.
Whyyyy?”
He drew the word out and she wanted to laugh.“So suspicious.I'd like to get to know you, that's why.I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
He was quiet for so long, Sophia wasn't sure he was going to answer.
“I make monthly anonymous donations to Interval House.It's a domestic abuse shelter.”
“I feel like there's a story there,” she said softly.
“That's because there is,” he replied, and she could see the pain in his gaze.
“Hey.I'm sorry.I didn't mean to pry.”
“No.It's okay.It's just still a painful story.But I'd like to tell you, if you'd like to hear it.”
“I would,” she told him.
