Page 18 of Loved By You

I step out of my car, smoothing down my tight-fitting black dress, remove my sneakers, and slip into my black heeled pumps, because who can drive in heels? We have to wear a uniform at this club and I'll be working the bar and VIP areas. After a couple of sessions of training, I am about as ready as I'll ever be for my first shift.

I reach the staff entrance, swipe my ID card, and enter through the heavy door. I smile at the doormen who are getting ready for opening night.

Walking through the narrow hallway painted in a mocha brown with wall lights guiding my way, I enter the ladies’ staff room.

Hair spray and perfume cloud the air as I meander through the groups of women applying lipstick and the finishing touches to their hair before our shift starts. I smile nervously at a few of the girls I recognize from our training days, and I suddenly have the urge to throw up. My nerves are trying to take over my body.

Breathe, Ri, you are okay. You can do this.

I put my bag and jacket away in my locker, putting my phone in the pocket of my dress. Wanting to keep it close in case Anne calls about the girls. It vibrates and I pull it out.

Alex

Why won't you respond to my texts and calls? Come on, we can sort this. Why are you breaking up our family? Come back home x

Anger pulses through me. Is he serious right now? Why am I breaking up our family? I don't have time for this. I squeeze the phone in the palm of my hand and inhale a deep breath before releasing it slowly, trying to focus my thoughts on my new job, and not my ex. I’m suddenly distracted by a familiar voice shouting my name.

I look around and notice a petite redhead bouncing up and down excitedly, waving her arms.

“Harley,” I all but squeal as a wave of relief washes over me. We did our training together, and she was the one person I really clicked with, along with a girl called Kate.

“How are you girl?” she says in her strong New York accent

“Nervous. I don’t think I'm cut out for this.” I swallow, a nervous ache in the pit of my stomach making me rub my hand over my belly.

“Girl, stop stressing. You will be fine and if anyone gives you shit, just call me over,” she says, pointing at herself. “Actually, call Kate. I'm all talk,” she adds, poking her tongue out.

We both burst into a fit of anxious laughter. I’m grateful she’s working with me on my first shift.

“Did you get your little cuties dropped off okay?” she asks, adjusting her blouse.

“Yeah. I'm not used to spending nights away from them. It's going to be hard not seeing them till Sunday,” I admit, staring down at my phone screen at a photo of Lexi holding Elle on my bed not long after we moved in, and they both have the biggest smiles on their faces. On the days I find it hard or if I am missing them, I use this image to remind me that those faces are the reason I'm doing this.

A tall woman in a tight black dress and a short sharp black bob appears, adjusting the headset she’s wearing while looking down at a clipboard in her hand before shouting over the crowd of staff in the room.

“Okay ladies, we open in forty-five minutes. The owners are here and want to speak to you all before we open up. There will be press and media here tonight and some VIP guests, so I need you all to be on your A-game. You all know where you need to be and what to do, so don’t let me or yourselves down. I’ll expect you all in the main room in five minutes.”

Standing at the bottom of the sprawling gold staircase, I can't stop my mouth from gaping. I saw this place during the day when we were training, but at night it comes alive. The dance floor sparkles like the night sky, echoed by the chandelier hanging above us. I scan the room, taking it all in.

We each take a seat at the tables that surround the black marble bar, and I can't help but search around to see who the new owners are.

Harley bumps my shoulder. "How about meeting the owners on the first night, hmm?"

I nod, goosebumps scattering my body at the idea of meeting them. “Yeah, do you think they're here much?”

"I have no idea, but—" She's cut off by the sound of footsteps across the dancefloor.

I turn my head to find three men walking slowly towards us. The low lighting in here makes it hard to make them out. But as they edge closer, their faces come into view and I swear my stomach nearly falls out my ass.

Brad, Harry, and Jack step up in front of us and glance around the room at the staff waiting patiently to meet their new employers.

Dressed in black button up shirts and matching suit pants, they look like they could be on the cover of a magazine.

This has got to be some kind of joke, right?

“Holy shit,” Harley mumbles under her breath.

I match her wide-eyed expression, unable to speak, my mouth feeling like it's full of cotton balls.

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