As they approached the counter, Kate’s eyes were like saucers and her mouth was wide open, reminding me slightly of myself when I first walked into the club. “Hey, Sis.”
“Hey, Kate. Hi, Eric.”
“Hi, Marlowe. You having a good night?”
“So far so good. How about you?”
“We’re doing just great,” Kate answered. “We had a lovely dinner downtown. Had a few glasses of wine, then walked down the strip. And now, we’re here seeing you.”
“That does sound like a wonderful night.”
“It really was.”
“Can I get you two a drink?”
“We’ll both have a vodka martini on the rocks,” Eric answered.
“Sure thing.” I made their drinks, then brought them back over and placed them on the counter. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, doll.” Kate snatched up her drink and took a quick sip. “Not bad.”
“I try.”
“You know, Nashville is really an amazing city. There’s so many great places here.” Kate peered over shoulder with a grimace. “It makes me wonder why you’d choose to work in a place like this.”
“Not sure what you mean. I like it here.”
“Oh, come on, Marlie. You have to be kidding.” Kate rolled her eyes as she shuddered. “Surrounded by stripper trash all night long? How can you like it?”
“Because the ‘stripper trash,’ as you call them, are actually really nice girls. Most of them are working their way through school or doing whatever it takes to provide for their families.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Kate grumbled. “You sound like a spokesperson for strippers everywhere.”
“I find it quite admirable that your sister has such an open perspective for these women.” Eric’s eyes met mine as he said, “Most would simply judge them for selling their bodies for money without considering the fact they are simply doing what they have to in order to survive.”
“Exactly.”
I couldn’t believe Kate’s ever-so-perfect boyfriend had actually agreed with me. Neither could Kate. In fact, she seemed quite shocked and appalled by the fact, which was made evident when she gave him an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “Well, I could never work in a place like this.”
“No, of course you couldn’t, sweetheart.” Eric slipped his arm around her waist as he whispered, “I wouldn’t have it.”
“That’s because you’re amazing like that.” Kate leaned into him and purred. “You take such good care of me.”
“That’s because you make it so easy to do so.”
I almost lost my lunch as I watched him lean in and give her a kiss. The whole display seemed so fake. I would’ve thought they were just putting on a show for me, but the starry-eyed way Kate was looking at him told a different story. By the looks of it, she was actually in love with him, which made me ask, “So, how long have you two been dating?”
“A month or so, but it seems like I’ve known Eric forever,” Kate answered as she wound her arms around his neck. “He’s my soulmate.”
I was about to ask where they’d met when Rafe walked up to the counter. We hadn’t spoken since our earlier altercation, so I was feeling a little apprehensive as I motioned my hand in his direction. “Kate, Eric, this is ... R-Rafe.”
“Hmm.” Kate batted her long eyelashes flirtatiously. “Hi, Rafe. Nice to meet you.”
Rafe shook both of their hands and said, “It’s nice to meet you too. Marlowe mentioned you might be stopping by to see her.”
“She did, did she?” She cocked her eyebrow as she inquired, “Does that mean you two are seeing each other or something?”
“You could say that.”
I missed Kate’s reaction to his answer. I was too busy studying the expression on Rafe’s face to even notice—or care. He was completely void of emotion. No smile. No kindness in his voice. Just a blank, empty glare. I could practically feel the tension radiating off him, leaving no question he was pissed, and for good reason. He’d tried to be there for me, encouraged me to open up and trust him, and I just couldn’t do it. I’d tried, but I let my fear of rejection or hurt get in the way. If I hadn’t already lost him, I was well on my way. I was fucking it all up, and I knew it. I should’ve said something to him and tried to smooth things over, but I didn’t. Instead, I just stood there like an idiot. After several long agonizing moments, I looked over to the waitresses gathered at the counter and said, “I better get caught up on some of these orders.”
“You want me to get Lisa to give you a hand?” Rafe offered.
“No, I’ve got it.” I motioned over to Kate. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time. It’ll give us a chance to get to know this handsome boyfriend of yours.”
And just like that, I was yanked back in time to that young girl who watched everything she ever cared about get stolen from her. I wanted to believe Kate didn’t have that kind of power anymore, that Rafe really was a man I could trust with my heart, but as I watched Kate work her magic with Rafe and the brothers who stopped by to meet her, I started to have my doubts. With every drink I made, I’d glance over in their direction, cringing internally as Kate laid her hand on Rafe’s arm or laugh in that flirtatious way she did. After a few more stolen glances, I couldn’t take it anymore and stopped looking altogether. I kept my focus on the orders, and after a while, the knot in my stomach started to fade and was replaced with a numb, empty feeling by the time I finished up the last drink order and placed it on the counter. I’d hoped another waitress would come along, but when no one did, I had no other choice but to go back over to Kate and Rafe.