But then—applause.
Loud. Encouraging. Not the humiliating jeers I’d braced for.
They’re rooting for me.
Okay. I can do this.
I grip the cool steel pole, its icy bite grounding me. My hips sway to the beat, slowly at first, my body stiff as I fight the nerves strangling me. Then, I let go. Feel the music. Let it move through me, guiding my body.
My arms slide up the pole as I spin, my body curling against the steel. I drop slowly, head tilting, hands trailing. The cheers vibrate through the room.
Then—silence.
The music cuts.
The man who pushed me through the doors steps forward, extending his fingers toward me. Summoning me.
I glide down the steps more elegantly than I went up—until I collide with something solid.
Or someone.
Damn it, Brooklyn. My stupid two left feet.
“Sorry,” I mumble, not daring to look up.
A low chuckle rumbles in my ear. “The pleasure was all mine.” His voice is silk and sin, a whisper that slides down my spine.
I don’t breathe until I step through the doors. A rush of cold air smacks me in the face, and only then do I exhale.
“Oh, girl, you did?—”
“Terrible?”
Tom laughs. “Not terrible… just—unexpected.”
I arch a brow. “That’s generous.”
“I’m Tom, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you at last, Tom.” I hold out my hand. He shakes it with a grin.
We head back into the waiting room, but instead of being shown out—like I should be—I’m still here. My stomach twists. Surely, I’m not being hired? I looked just as awkward as I felt.
Tom clears his throat. “The boss wants to see you.”
I blink. “Me?”
He smirks. “I know I’m shocked too.”
My brows knit together.
“Well, you’re beautiful,” he says, shrugging. “But you have… no form.”
I snort. “Agreed. Falling on my ass seems to be my one talent.”
He nods solemnly. “A unique skill set indeed.”
I roll my eyes. “So why does he want to see me?”
