Page 39 of Dancing With Redemption

He held his hands out, at a loss now.

“So, you wrote me those letters that touched me so much, that made my little teenage heart melt like butter?” She asked, pretending to be angry.

“Yeah, it was me. I’m sorry, really. I just wanted some small part of you, to matter to you, and well, it wasn’t a good thing to do, but I really liked you, Roxie. I loved you.”

“I’m kind of glad it was you, after all, Lincoln,” she said, after a pause where she looked out the window, thinking of all the things he’d promised her, and he’d kept every one so far. It took a little while, but he’d given her far more than she could have dreamed of. When she spoke, she turned her head back to him, a wide smile on her face.

“What?” He breathed out in relief.

“I’m glad it was you and not Liam. I don’t think he could have made me as happy as you do every day, Lincoln. And you kept the letters! That’s so sweet.” She leaned over to kiss him softly before she fell back. “All is forgiven.”

“Phew.” He wiped at his brow and put the car in drive. “I’m kind of glad you know now. I’ve carried those around with me all over the world, even though they weren’t to me. I hoped one day, they would be to me.”

“I’ll write you dozens, Lincoln. And a few more just to be sure.” She promised as he drove them along.

“That would be nice. Maybe a little dirtier would be nicer?” He prompted. “Wait, didn’t you mention a kiss in those letters?”

“Oh. Yes. There were a couple, but then he just stopped for some reason.” Roxie was the one with hot cheeks now.

“I bet that’s when he was dating Sara. She was this girl who was already out of high school, she finished the year before he did. He had a big thing for her, but she wasn’t interested enough to make it work.” Lincoln revealed something Roxie hadn’t known before.

“Maybe so. Anyway, he lost his chance. Lucky us.” She put her hand over his on the gear shift for a moment before she took it away.

“Yes, very lucky us. Do I turn left here or right?” He asked and Roxie pointed to the left.

“It’s just over there.” Roxie pointed, even though he’d been here dozens of times. He could never remember which way to turn at the intersection, for some reason.

It was a four-story building, all glass on the front, but opaque so nobody could see inside. Lincoln pulled up to the front, helped her out of the car, and then gave the keys to the valet who would park it.

“Okay, on this floor is the dance club and the adult club,” Roxie said, giving him the tour as the doors opened as soon as she walked up with him. “I know we were going to put the adult club upstairs, but we decided to keep it down here.”

She’d worked hard to find the right building and get everything done with all of her friends helping along the way. It was a group effort, and group-funded, so she’d done her very best to create a fantasy that was also worth paying money to visit. “The restaurant is on this floor too.”

“Okay. And the private dancing areas?” Lincoln asked softly. Only certain members would be allowed above the first floor and not everyone would know what was up there, no matter how curious they might be. Those floors were strictly for exclusive members who paid the fees to get up there.

“Upstairs too.” Roxie wrapped her arms around Lincoln’s right arm as they walked in and found a group ready to greet them. Someone handed her champagne and Roxie took it.

“This place is awesome,” River, a former protégé, said with a grin. “I can’t wait to get to work here.”

“You and Kitty will be busy, that’s for sure,” Emily, a dear friend and former co-worker with her own hidden story, said with a smile of delight. “It’s beautiful, Roxie. I love it.”

“Thanks, Emily.”

“Can I get a job up here, Rox? I might need a new career,” Wendy asked as she came up behind her friend.

“Any time, honey. But wait until after the wedding, won’t you? I don’t need one of my bridesmaids calling off because she can’t get off of work.”

“Sure, honey.” Wendy hugged her with a laugh and glanced around. “You have ten minutes left before the crowd’s allowed in, right?”

“Yeah, they’ve all been herded into the restaurant for now. I just wanted to thank you all for investing in the club, for believing in me, and helping me get this far before we open up to the public. So, here’s to all of you, and thank you.” Roxie held up her champagne glass as she toasted all the faces around her.

There were more people than she thought there’d be, but that was fine. Everyone had helped in some way, with money or time, and she was grateful to them all. Keily was here with her husband Logan, some of Emily’s brothers were here too, having invested in the venture after Emily sold them on the idea. Their names wouldn’t be attached to any documents, but there was definitely Thompson money in this little experiment of hers.

“Here’s to you, Roxie. You’ve been through hell and come out of it a queen. You have my deepest, lifelong respect and love, baby. Good luck, but I know you won’t need it.” Lincoln held his own glass up as he toasted her, making Roxie’s eyes sparkle with tears of happiness.

“Thank you, baby,” she said and took a deep breath. “Let’s just hope our wedding this summer is as easy to pull off.”

Everyone laughed at that and Roxie was finally able to wander off, to watch as the clients were finally allowed into the adult club section of the building. She saw men and women, alone and as couples or groups, walking in, looking around in amazement.