Making money was never a bad thing.
“Hi Jim! May I have a Zevia, please?” She regarded him through the wayward curls dangling in front of her eyes. “Grape sounds yummy. The flavor, that is.”
“What? Not a glass of Grey Goose?” Behind the bar, Jim couldn’t miss the fruity, floral scent of Pamela’s perfume as he retrieved her favorite brand of zero calorie, zero sugar cola from the cooler.
“No vodka for me tonight, no. You know I’m a light drinker and don’t do it often.” Pamela grinned and let her head fall back dramatically. “Besides, it always gets me into trouble when I do.” She popped the top of the soda can and took a moderate sip. “Are you and Colt cool now? He still isn’t upset over what happened the other night between Kayleigh and her customer, is he? Are you upset at him?”
“Nah, Colt and I are fine.”
Clean and organize, organize and clean. The bar could get gross in a matter of seconds, but that would never happen with Jim on duty. He was constantly cleaning and making everything spotless. You’re such a neat freak – I love it!
“Been friends and worked together too long not to be fine.”
On a television monitor behind the counter, Pamela noticed the Baltimore Orioles were playing the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. It was the tenth inning, and her hometown team was tied at a score of 7-7.
“Colt had every right to be angry and send me home without pay yesterday. I’m not upset. I should’ve never allowed Kayleigh to party with that guy.” It was a mistake, but Jim would do better next time. “Colt reminded me no girl is to ever be disrespected here. But, you know, Kayleigh was adamant about partying with him. She wanted the money.”
“Too much drama has been going on lately. I don’t like it. Not one bit.” Pamela glanced toward the opposite end of the bar and cracked a smile as Sahara and Riley, wearing their frilly little harlot outfits, were draped all over an older customer. The trio talked, laughed, and shared a bowl of peanuts. Soon, the brunettes would escort the gentleman back to their bedroom and negotiate terms for a threesome.
Pamela swiveled toward Jim and had a gleam in her eyes. “Looks like Nikki and Mallory are gonna have a profitable night, huh? Good for them.” Sometimes, Pamela would refer to her fellow long-time working girls by their actual names too. She’d been on point so far today with Lindsay’s name (for a change) and called her “Kayleigh” with anyone who had mentioned her. Heh. Colt says he’s proud of me and I get a shiny sticker. Woo-hoo!
“Yeah. Business has been crazy this week and, knock on wood, let’s hope it continues tonight and into tomorrow.” Pamela and Jim were keeping their voices low so the budding triad at the end of the bar wouldn’t hear them. “Still can’t believe that dude from Detroit dropped almost seventeen thousand dollars.”
“Me neither.” How can I look the other way and ignore him like Scarlett insists I should? Charlie worked hard for that money and Pamela was grateful he spent most of it on her. “I still need to e-mail him. I’ll do it in the morning.”
Wanting to change the subject, as she’d worried enough about Charlie today, Pamela leaned closer. “You know, Jim, I was talking with Colt while we were at the hotel. I know it’s in Pasadena and will cut into the holiday season, which is hit or miss for us here financially, but he and I have to go to Nikki and Mallory’s wedding if they invite us. We have to.” She shot one more glance their way. “Those two girls are so sweet, so chill, and they’re so in love. It’s beautiful.” It was what Pamela had always dreamed of experiencing with another woman herself.
One like Kayleigh.
But if that were to happen, Pamela realized she’d have a major challenge trying to get Colt in on the fun too. He didn’t mind Pamela seeing a woman on the side but had no interest in getting involved himself and making it a triad. He’d been through similar phases earlier in life and the idea didn’t interest him anymore.
Granted, before he met Pamela.
Shouldn’t I be happy my husband only has eyes for me and is the most loyal man alive? I’ve never even had a threesome with him. He always declines whenever I make the offer. How many men, especially in his position, would turn that down? Pamela had hit the proverbial jackpot, but still pushed through a heavy heart. I’d like the best of both worlds. Colt keeps talking about wanting to start a family. Yeah, yeah, okay, fine. Let’s start a family with Kayleigh.
Am I being greedy? Selfish? Wishing for too much?
Jim settled onto a stool and downed his beer. “It is beautiful, I agree. I love seeing Sahara and Riley interact on a day-to-day basis. It’s been since 1994 that we’ve had a legitimate, bona fide couple working here simultaneously like them. Other than you and Colt, of course.” Jim grinned at the memories from days gone by. “Lisa Reich and Jenny McCormick. They quit and married each other too. But I remember a time when Colt was dating them… fucking them. Together. Lisa was like five years older than Colt, and Jenny, six months older, I think?”
Pamela arched her lips. “Oh yeah? Really?” Like her husband, she had no justification in becoming jealous. Selling sex is our livelihood. Besides, Lisa and Jenny were over two decades ago in Colt’s past. “Those names ring a bell. Colt has mentioned them, and I’ve seen pictures. They were way before my time. But I didn’t realize they were both older than him. Never knew that.”
“Have you talked to Kayleigh at all?” Jim was now snacking on a bag of tortilla chips.
“Haven’t seen her since this morning.” Pamela bit back a groan. “I should stop by and visit her tonight.”
“Took some food to her room about two hours ago. She’s not in a good mood and is still pouty over getting suspended.”
Pamela’s stomach dropped. “You didn’t tell Colt she’s acting that way, did you?”
“Of course not. I know you’d beat my ass with a switch if I did.”
Pamela tucked her feet underneath the high rungs of the stool and let out an audible sigh. “Good. Please, don’t. Colt wanted to fire her yesterday because she sulks after being passed over in lineups.”
“Aaliyah is furious she’s still here.”
“I pleaded with him: please don’t fire Kayleigh. She’s only eighteen and I see so much of myself in her from when I was that age. She’s like a carbon copy and I want to help her. Kayleigh is a good girl and deserves a second chance. Everyone does.” Pamela’s words were sincere, shining through her cinnamon-colored eyes. “I didn’t have another working lady back in the day who wanted to take me under her wing, so to speak, and show me how to succeed in this industry. How to be an adult.”
“You had me!”
Pamela squared her posture. “Aww, Uncle Jim.” That was her pet name for him because ever since her first day on the job, Jim had treated Pamela well. He’d given her tons of advice. Most of all, Pamela believed she would’ve never married Colt without Jim’s help and guidance. Their relationship would’ve fallen apart in the early stages.
“You’re such a sweet guy, Jim. You really are.” She leaned forward, causing her formidable cleavage to push up and over her Happy Ending Ranch V-neck t-shirt. “You need to hook up with Kenzie. You know that, right? You two have been friends forever and you’re in love with her.”
Jim grimaced at those words, oblivious to Pamela’s considerable charms. She was the boss’s wife, but more importantly, she was like a daughter to him. Or the daughter he never had. Jim watched Pamela evolve from a rambunctious and impressionable eighteen-year-old to this amazing, considerate thirty-year-old woman who was the most kind and levelheaded person he had ever known. “Kenzie says I’m too old for her.”
“Nonsense!”
Sahara, Riley, and their customer arose from the bar. Both ladies shot a glance toward Jim, letting him know it was time to negotiate, then smiled in unison and trotted down the corridor which led to their bedroom.
“Don’t be shy, Walter. Put your hand on my ass. I like it,” Sahara said in her ultra-sweet, outgoing voice.
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