“I try. But, being honest, I didn’t know much about this place before coming here. I’m still figuring it out. Poorly, too. I ended up in a bad part of town the other night.”
Harper held back another laugh by biting her lip. A few sincere smiles she could get away with, but hearty laughter had no place in here. Even though Maya’s inviting tone made it easy to forget.
There were a lot of things that were easy to forget right then, including the fact that this woman was technically a stranger. But Harper just had an idea. And she had the feeling that it would make Maya smile again.
“I could show you around.”
Maya grinned. “You could?”
“I’ve explored this city enough to know which areas to avoid. And which ones are worth your time. I happen to have tomorrow off, if you’re in the mood for somesightseeing.”
Harper put her elbows on the bar, pushing her chest forward. A practiced move that should have produced at least aslightblush, but Maya didn’t react at all. And her golden-black eyes stayed on Harper’s.
“I won’t say no to that. It’s a date.”
“Nota date. Trish’s rule. Dancers can’t bring anything that resembles a romantic entanglement into work. It’s a recipe for jealous disaster. Outside the club, we can do whatever we want, but when on the clock, you have to look single. That’s hard to sell if you’re exchanging sweet glances with the bartender.”
Now Maya’s eyesdiddrop, resting on Harper’s chest before returning to a more appropriate position.
“I’ll have to keep my glances less sweet, then.”
There was nothing but daring in that statement. In the words, the tone, or in that damn smile she was still wearing.
So, of course, Harper smiled right back.
“I’ll try to make it a challenge for you.”
She slipped off the stool, flicking back her hair, and with her drink in hand. A few people had just entered, and she needed to reel them in before they got caught by someone else.
But though her attention should be on the new arrivals, it drifted back to the bar. One of the other dancers had approached with a drink order, but just as Harper turned around, Maya looked her way. Her smiling expression as unfairly beautiful as before.
Harper bit her lip and returned her attention to the club entrance. Maybe the Penny wasn’tthatbad.
Chapter 5
Harper wasn’t kidding when she said she knew her way around the city. She moved around as though born and raised there, knowing every street, every local vendor, every shortcut. What started out as a tour through various landmarks quickly turned into a showcase of hidden gems and personal favorites, ending at a location that brought an impish look to Harper’s eyes as soon as they arrived.
“Mini-golf?” Maya inspected the black walls and floors framing the indoor course. The tracks were painted in bright colors, all illuminated by neon lights.
“It’s fun. I like that kind of thing.” Harper flashed a flirty grin. “And you were obviously getting bored with the history lessons. Figured I’d sharpen your attention by kicking your ass.”
That was a fair dig, unfortunately. Harper was an impressive tour guide, and despite that, Maya hadn’t retained a word she’d said. Historical anecdotes turned rather dull when paired against Harper’s teasing smile.
“Are we keeping score?” Maya dangled her golf club back and forth. Harper cocked an eyebrow.
“Of course. How else will we know how much you’re getting destroyed?”
Maya dropped her ball at the first hole’s starting marker. “Don’t celebrate too early. I spent a few summers working as a golf caddy. I have experience by way of proximity.”
She gave the ball a firm tap, but instead of bouncing off the angled obstacles, it leaped over the border, vanishing between the feet of some nearby college students.
Maya grimaced. “Yeah… You’re going to wreck me at this.”
Harper bit her lip, hiding a laugh by the look of it, before fetching the runaway golf ball. She tossed it between her hands, looking as innocent as a cat about to knock over a drinking glass.
“I can give you some pointers. If you’d like.”
“Why do I have a feeling that yourpointerswill be more distracting than helpful?”
