A knock on the dressing room door had Talia rolling her eyes. Since when did people knock?
“Yeah?”
Another dancer popped her head around the door. “Paul wants to see you in his office.”
“Okay, tell him I’ll be there in five. Finishing off in here.” Talia held out her arms, just a pair of pants covering her legs. “As you can see, I’m not quite dressed yet.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind if you go in there wiggling your tits in his face. Maybe it’ll lighten his mood.”
“He’s got a face on him?”
“Mm. Something has pissed him off. He basically yelled at me to come and find you.”
Talia shrugged her hoodie on. “Fine. But when I’m late getting onto the stage, it’s his problem.”
She followed the other dancer down the corridor, shuffling off towards Paul’s office as quickly as she could. When she knocked on the open door, he spun in his office chair.
“Do you know what this is about?”
Talia stepped inside, closing the door. “Um, no. What’s going on?”
“You’re sleeping with a client? Are you fucking serious, Adria!”
Talia eased into a seat, dragging her hair over one shoulder. While Paul was furious, he’d never spoken to her like that before. “First of all, I’d appreciate it if you spoke to me with some respect. And second, no. I’m not sleeping with a client.”
“So, the report I received is a lie?” Paul spun the screen towards Talia. “This woman, the one you told me was a friend, is actually your partner?”
“Oh, Faye? Yeah. She’s my girlfriend,” Talia said, smiling. “But I’m not sure why it matters. She doesn’t come here.”
“That’s bullshit. She’s booked in several times since we opened; I’ve already checked.” Paul threw down the booking forms, scoffing. “Faye Holmes. Picture ID to match.”
Fuck!Talia’s stomach sank. “Fine. I met her working my other job. Our relationship doesn’t affect anything I do here, and she doesn’t come by anymore.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Get rid ofheror I get rid ofyou!”
Talia glared. “Excuse me?”
“Finish it. If you don’t, you no longer have a job here. If the girls find out about this, they’ll all think they can rip up their contract and fuck whoever they like.”
“I’m notfuckingwhoever I like. We’re in a relationship!” Talia was seething, but she hated screaming matches. It likely wouldn’t solve anything. Besides, in many ways, Paul was right. Shehadsigned a contract to say she wouldn’t have any kind of relations outside of the club with a client. “You’ve known me a long time, Paul. Have Ieverdoneanythingto jeopardise my job?”
Paul held up his hand, facing away from Talia. “You’ve disappointed me. If you’re not willing to end it with her, you can get your things and leave. Maybe some shitty club will pick you up at some point, but I hope you’re willing to downgrade.”
Talia’s heart constricted. This job was her life. It didn’t matter what she did, how good she was, this was just more proof that she’d never have everything she wanted. Someone, somewhere, would always expect her to choose the job or the love life.
“Right, well…” She got to her feet, holding back her emotions. “I guess I’ll pack my shit up then and see you around.”
Paul shot her a look. “Y-you’re choosing to walk away?”
“I wasn’t walking away. You’ve fired me.”
“No, no. I gave you the option.” Paul laughed, shaking his head. “And you chose her. You’re a fool.”
Talia pressed her hands against his desk, leaning forward. “Actually, I thinkyou’rethe fool, Paul. You and I both know this place will sink without me here. I’m the one who brings the clients in. I’m the one you asked to leave London to get this set up here. Well, you know what? Fuckyouand fuck your club! I’ve worked my arse off for you for almost ten years, and this is the thanks I get? Shove the fucking lot of it!”
Paul opened his mouth to speak, but Talia was done. She strode towards the door, turning back briefly.
“I came to you and told you about Jensen, but she’s still here. She actually kissed a client in her room, but I’m being alienated because I’m in a committed relationship? There’s something seriously wrong with that.”