“Damn, girl. You look hot!” Erica yells from the car.
“Thanks.”
I hop into the backseat, adjusting my skirt.
“Erica says you’ve never been to one of these places?” Devon asks, turning out of the parking lot.
“Not yet.”
“Erica and I can show you the ropes. And if you want to leave, we can,” he says. “They’re all about safety at this place, so you’re in good hands.”
“Thanks. Erika already filled me in as to what I should expect.”
The lights glimmer ahead of us as we cross the bridge into the city. Each mile we travel ratchets up my nerves. This is the most un-Chloe-like thing I’ve ever done. Probably will ever do.
I need to prove to myself that I can do this.
Driving away from the more popular bar scene, Devon leads us to a quiet downtown street before parking. It’s the most nondescript building. A bouncer is standing outside a black door, lit overhead from the streetlamps.
Music from a nearby bar filters over as the sun starts to sink closer to the horizon.
“You ready?” Erica asks, looking as good as ever in a green dress that shows off her curves.
“I’m ready.” I take a deep breath, smoothing my hand over my own outfit.
“You can back out if you want to.”
“I’m not.”
Steeling my spine, I follow Erica inside after flashing our IDs to security. The room is dimly lit, with wallscovered in thick velvet drapes. A sexy woman with her hair in a tight bun and red lipstick is standing behind the counter, tapping away on a tablet.
“How can I help you this evening?” Even her voice is sultry.
“There’ll be three of us tonight,” Devon says.
“Please sign these release forms. You must agree to everything on the forms before you’ll be allowed entry.” She passes over three clipboards. “Read carefully and ask if you have any questions.”
It only takes a few minutes to read through everything and sign off. Instead of scaring me off, it makes me excited.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
“Enjoy your evening.” The woman nods to us as we’re shown into the main room.
And wow. It’s nothing like I thought it would be.
More of the same heavy, velvet drapes curtain the walls. A bar is off to one side with people chatting and ordering drinks. Others are spread around chairs and tables that line the walls. A few people are making out in one corner, but that’s it.
“Not quite what you thought, right?” Erica nudges me in the side.
“Not at all.”
“You want to grab a drink with us and feel the place out?”
I shake my head. “I’ll get a glass of wine, but I think I want to sit and take it all in.”
Erica leans in, pecking me on the cheek. “Make sure to havesomefun.”
“I will.”
