Chapter One
Heidi
“Are you sure you put the right address in?” the driver asks as the car rolls to a stop in front of Heaven's Door. The parking lot is almost empty, but the building doesn't open for another few hours. By then the parking lot will be overflowing with cars. Especially on a Saturday night.
“Yes,” I respond but make no move to get out of the car. How am I ever going to pull this off? I remind myself that I’m out of options and there’s no one else that’s going to take care of me. It’s scary to feel so alone in the world.
“You know this isn't a church, right, darling? It’s a strip club.” If my stomach wasn’t in knots I’d laugh.
I suppose the dress is a bit churchy, but it’s all I have. It’s a bit snug because it’s a few years old, but in my haste to leave my childhood home I hadn’t been focusing on dresses when I packed my few belongings.
“I know.” I swipe my tongue against my dry lips. I’m not out of the car yet and I’m already freaking out, and the driver isn’t helping. Even he knows I don’t belong here.
“You have to be twenty-one to get in,” he points out.
Good. That will help with the odds of me running into anyone I know. The last thing I need is someone from school finding out I’m working at a strip club. If I even get the job.
“Only if you’re a customer. It’s eighteen to work.” That’s what the man on the phone said at least.
“Darling—”
“Thank you.” I cut him off before he tries to talk me out of this.
The gravel parking lot has me wobbling in my heels as I hurriedly make my way toward the side entrance I was told to use. I’m already not good in heels, but at five three I’m going to need them for a place like this.
I glance back over my shoulder to see the driver sitting there watching me. Not wanting to be spotted by someone I know who could be driving by, I open the door and quickly slip inside. I’m not sure anyone would actually recognize me all dolled up or believe I’d be in a place like this, but with my luck lately, this would be the time.
“You lost?” a soft feminine voice asks. I blink a few times as my eyes try to adjust to the dimly lit hallway.
“I’m here to see Marks.” I reach up and pull my glasses off, wanting to be as attractive as I can be. It's the main requirement for the job, and I’m guessing my glasses don’t scream sexy.
“You’re the interview? Heidi Miller?” she asks with a confused laugh.
“Yeah.” I shift on my feet. More of her comes into focus as she closes in on me.
She’s tall, easily towering over me with dark hair and killer curves. I’m getting why they call this place Heaven’s Door. I bet she’s every man's wet dream.
“You sure you don’t dance?” She cocks her head, eyeing me up and down.
“I thought the job was for a server.” I’d heard you could make really good money here serving drinks. But if you’re willing to take your clothes off and they let you on the stage, you’ll make a fortune.
I’d love to have the money, but there’s no way I could strip in front of anyone. Serving them in the tiny uniform I’ve heard they have for their cocktail girls is going to be hard enough.
“We are, but there’s no way you’re not going to get requests for lap dances.”
“I…” I can’t think of what to say. Honestly, I thought it was a stretch to get a job serving drinks here, but I had to try. No way do I think they might want me to dance.
“Put the glasses back on. I want Marks to see you with them. Follow me.” She motions. “I’m Sadie, by the way. Marks’s right-hand girl.”
I slip my glasses back on my face and follow after her. I have to walk fast to keep up with her long legs.
“You’re eighteen, right?”
“Yes, I have my ID.” I reach into my bag and pull it out. She takes it from me before knocking on a door and opening it without waiting for someone to tell her to come in.
“Happy birthday,” she says, handing it back.
“Thanks.” I glance around the big office that has a small bar and even a lounge area. My eyes are drawn to the window that looks down into the strip club. This office is a small club of its own.
“Your interview is here,” Sadie says. The man behind the desk lifts his head, and his eyes widen as they land on me.
I’d thought Marks would be some old man in a cheesy suit, but he reminds me of Bruce Willis with his shaved head. He’s in a suit, but it’s all black and simple. He opens his mouth to say something, but Sadie beats him to it.