Page 100

I pull myself up to standing and bow before slinking backstage. After throwing a robe on, I return to the front where I need to spend a few minutes working the crowd. Whisper stays in his seat, watching me carefully, but otherwise keeping out the way.

Darcy bounces over to me. “Hey, Blush. There’s a guy in the corner down in the dumps over a divorce. Maybe you could cheer him up?”

“Thanks for the tip, Darcy.”

I make my way to the sullen man sitting by himself, nursing a half-empty beer.

“Want some company?”

He looks up at me, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Sure.”

I sit down across from him but to the side so my back isn’t completely turned to Whisper.

“What’s your name?”

“Brian. You were great up there.”

“Thank you.”

Darcy appears. “Get you a drink, Blush?”

The man nods. “Whatever you want.”

I nod demurely, looking at Darcy. “Tonight’s special is fine.”

“Be right back.”

Darcy leaves and I turn my attention back to Brian. “What brings in you tonight?”

He shrugs. “I needed to get out of my apartment. My wife left me two weeks ago.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.”

“She moved her stuff out without a word.” He cups his hands around his drink. “It’s my fault though. I was working so much, putting in ridiculous hours. She’s been alone for years. She tried to tell me. Tried to get me to take vacations, eat dinner with her, but I was obsessed with my career. Now I have all the time I need.”

“Sorry, dude. You know this is a queer club, right?”

He nods. “I didn’t want a woman to talk to me.”

Interesting.

“I don’t have a problem with gay people. I’m comfortable with myself and I enjoyed the show. One of my coworkers comes here and he suggested it.”

“That’s very evolved of you.”

He chuckles. “I guess.”

Darcy returns with my drink and I chat the guy up a little more, trying to lift his mood. I don’t flirt as much since I don’t think men are his type, which is nice. I don’t want to flirt with anyone who isn’t Whisper.

A few minutes pass and I notice Whisper looking at his phone, his brow creased, before he looks up at me. He gestures with his head for me to come over to him, so I excuse myself from Brian.

“Thanks for talking,” he says. “It helped.”

“Good. Come back anytime. You’re welcome here.”

He smiles as I stand and make my way over to my man.

“What’s going on?”