Page 63 of The Bitter Rival

Isabella: I can ask my brothers if Austin can stay with them. If not, I’ll bring him along. Thank you.

10:49 p.m.

Katarina Barnes

Katarina: Don’t thank me yet??

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Isabella

“I don’t know about this, Kat.” I look up at her and her sister, Rachel, my eyes wide in shock while Bailey laughs behind me.

“I’m telling you, Isabella. This will work,” Kat says in total seriousness. She’s holding up a see-through mesh bodysuit with bright gold stars, which are sewn strategically over the breasts like built-in pasties.What the hell have I gotten myself into with this girl?

“I think you should go for it, B. I’m here for you, sis.”

“Uh, shut it, Bailes. Why did I bring you again?”

“Moral support?” She shrugs her shoulders, unable to keep the smirk off of her face.

“Awe, come on, B. It’ll be fun,” Kat cajoles, her sister now covering her face at Kat’s antics.

“Fun for who? Are you wearing one of these?”

“Been there, done that.” Rachel laughs.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Nothing. Ignore her. I rode rescue with this tart who danced at a local strip club. I’ve since met the owner, who’s actually a decent guy. I made a few phone calls and tada!”

“Tada, what? He let you have some costumes?”

“Um, no.” She’s wincing at me now, her shoulders pulled tightly up to her ears.What on earth is she getting me into?

“He’s letting you dance,” she blurts out before stepping far enough away I can’t hurt her.

“Dance? Like letting me use the place after hours?”

“Um, no.”

“Okay, spill it, Katarina,” I blurt over the uncontrolled laughter of Rachel and Bailey.

“He’s going to have an amateur night. He said he does it once in a while, and he’d be thrilled to have you on stage.”

“What? Oh, no! There’s no way I’m doing that!”

“Awe, come on, B. You can do this,” Bailey encourages.

“I’m not stripping on stage in front of a bunch of strange men.”

“Is that the part that’s bothering you? The strange men?” Bailey laughs.

“Isabella,” Kat cajoles, grabbing my arms firmly in her grip to make a point. “You’re a beautiful woman. I’ve seen you dance. You just need to put yourself out there. Enjoy it. Live a little. You mark my words. If Sebastian Lee sees you parading your assets for a bunch of screaming men, he’ll lose his shit!”

Standing there wordless, blinking at Katarina, I try to absorb what she’s saying. How isthisthe plan?

“Think of it like a wet T-shirt contest,” Bailey teases.

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