Chapter 22
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
I take in Hailey’s outfit when she opens her door for me. “What are you wearing? I thought we were going out.” It’s Friday night and we’re gathering for a girl’s night out. And boy do I need a night out, especially since someone is still ghosting me.
“This is my going out outfit.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, right.”
As a kick-ass PI, Hailey lives in her ripped jeans and shitkicker boots. The one concession she makes when we go out is to change the shitkicker boots for a pair of knee-high leather boots. But right now, she’s dressed in skinny jeans, a shiny tank top, and a pair of strappy sandals.
I point at her top. “You’re going to freeze.”
I don’t bother remarking upon the shoes. Everyone who lives in Wisconsin and is no longer of college-age knows better than to wear any footwear other than boots when there’s a foot of snow on the ground.
“I think she looks gorgeous,” Phoebe says.
Phoebe is the one who looks gorgeous. She doesn’t have to try much. The woman oozes sex appeal. She could wear a paper bag and men would fall at her feet. She’s currently wearing a black halter dress that hugs her curves. I’m going to spend the night beating men off with a stick.
“Where are we going? And why didn’t anyone tell me to dress up?”
I’m wearing skinny jeans and a top. Granted the top is kind of sexy. One shoulder and arm are completely bare while the other arm and shoulder are covered in lace. I look okay for a night at the bar, but I have a feeling we’re not going to a bar.
“I thought we’d do something different tonight,” Hailey answers.
Who does she think I am? Like I can’t read her like a book. “Try being evasive with someone who doesn’t know you. What are you up to?”
Hailey bites her lip and looks away. She looks at her phone. “I think our Uber is here.”
Our Uber? Now, I know she’s up to no good. We haven’t used a taxi since we were in college and couldn’t control our alcohol use. I cross my arms over my chest and wait.
Phoebe can’t stand the pressure long. “We’re going to a strip club.”
I raise an eyebrow. “A strip club? Why are we going to a strip club? And why does she know, and I don’t?”
Why in the world does Hailey want to go to a strip club now? She’s never shown any interest before. Oh sure, she’s gone to one for work, but she is not dressed for work.
Hold on. Friday night. Two weeks after her bachelorette party. I nearly slap myself when I connect the dots.
“Tonight is Aiden’s bachelor party, isn’t it?” Hailey blushes and looks away. A dead giveaway I am right. “You’re letting him go to a strip club?”
I’m surprised. Hailey doesn’t put up with shit from anyone and definitely not from her fiancé.
“I told him it was his last night of freedom. As long as his dick stays in his pants, I’m good.”
Yeah, right. “Which is why you’re now dressed up to go to a strip club?”
“I may have overestimated how okay I was with the scenario of my future husband drooling over big breasted women.” She circles her chest. “I can’t compete.”
“Are you serious? Even if you weren’t gorgeous – which FYI you are – Aiden loves you. He would never cheat on you. Not least of all because you’d chop his balls off and then feed them to the dogs.”
“You’re wasting your time,” Phoebe tells me.
“Trust me, I know. I’ve spent thirty-one years telling her she’s gorgeous, and she still doesn’t believe me.”
“You couldn’t speak at birth, you know,” Hailey grumbles.
I look around. “Where are Leroy and Lola anyway?”