Folk Around and Find Out (Good Folk: Modern Folktales #2)(57)

I lifted an eyebrow at that. “No big deal?”

“Yeah. I believe Hannah’s words were, ‘What’s one more mostly naked lady?’” Charlotte chuckled and stepped back.

I gave her a noncommittal smile. Charlotte being mostly naked was not in the same ballpark, world, or universe as a dancer being mostly naked while working.

Much of my adult life had been spent around folks who made their living being naked, and there was one thing I knew for certain: when dancers were working, being naked was no big deal. Just like when a model walked down a catwalk in underwear, they were simply wearing a uniform to do a job.

But when dancers were naked for any other reason besides work? It was a big fucking deal. Just like it was a big deal for most folks, except nudists and Germans.

“I better get back.” She tossed her thumb over her shoulder. “Louis has been a real trooper, but I don’t want to leave him alone for too long if I don’t have to.”

“Sure thing.” I’d planned to apologize to her about my shitty behavior on Friday as soon as I arrived. But I reckoned it could wait until things settled.

“You’re going to seriously regret wearing those jeans today.” She gestured to my pants. “Or did you bring a swimsuit?”

I glanced at my jeans, then back at her. “I have swim trunks in my office. I’ll change after we unload the delivery—we, meaning me and Louis. Unloading the truck isn’t in your job description.”

“Make sure you put sunscreen on yourself if you change into a suit. And okay, fine, about unloading the truck,” she grumbled. “But may I just say, I don’t mind helping at all. And it’ll go faster if it’s you and me unloading it. I already know where everything goes. And with the club hotter than Satan’s—”

“Laundromat?” I smirked.

“I was going to say, hotter than Satan’s dim sum food truck this time, but yes.” She also smiled, wiping at her upper lip. “It’s just, the faster we work getting everything done inside the club, the better. I swear, it’s got to be over a hundred degrees in there already. I hope Beau and Shelly work fast.”

“You’re not paid to—”

“I know. But like I said, I don’t mind. If it bothers you so much that unloading trucks isn’t in my job description, then just give me a bonus. Organizing car washes isn’t in my job description either.”

I made a low, considering sound in the back of my throat, finally relenting. “Fine. Louis can take the payment for the car wash. You and I will unload the truck and I’ll make sure your last paycheck has a bonus. Happy?”

“Blissfully.” Batting her eyelashes, she returned her sunglasses to her nose. Then she turned from me, giving me an excellent view of her magnificent backside, and marched back over to poor Louis, who was presently swarmed with customers wanting their cars washed.





CHAPTER 15





HANK





“To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable.”

OSCAR WILDE, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY





I’d never cared much about or ascribed to rules of social engagement. Stuffy folks and their arbitrary ideas about societal norms could stick those rules up their lily-white asses. That said, I had no idea what to do about Joshua and Sonya.

So . . .

Did I just . . .

Walk over?

Joshua and I made eye contact again across the parking lot, this made eye contact number six. I smiled tentatively and so did he. He also lifted his hand in a wave. Shifting on my feet, I returned his wave, not sure what to do, my attention relocating to his grandma, Mrs. Mitchell.

Charlotte’s momma looked like she’d rather be anywhere else but here, her nose up in the air as though the trees around my club stank of bad reputation and new money. The woman didn’t know me, but I suspected she didn’t like me much; that didn’t make her strange in this town; but it did make me wary of approaching the kids with her playing morality-police.

Redirecting her attention to the boy firecracker on her lap, who presently appeared determined to knock down every lemonade cup on the table, her face pulled into a frustrated glower. Hmm. I doubted she’d react well if I approached.

However, the urge to exchange a few words with Joshua and Sonya was strong. What were the rules about a strip club owner approaching little kids he sorta knew, had enjoyed spending time with, and had thought about from time to time over the past week? Was I—the strip club owner—allowed to talk to them? I suspected decent people didn’t want their kids or grandkids talking to strip club owners.

Or perhaps I could buy a lemonade, and if Joshua spoke to me first, it would be okay for me to ask how he was doing. That wouldn’t be untoward, right? I mean, they were selling lemonade. And buying lemonade would be a perfectly acceptable reason to approach.

Yeah. That’s what I’d do. Then I could say hi to Joshua and Sonya and—

“Thirsty?” Hannah asked, suddenly at my elbow.

I glanced to the side. She held out a red Solo cup full of lemonade. Frowning, I accepted it with a grumbled “Thanks.”

Well, there went that plan.

“You’re welcome, boss.” She winked at me. “I like these swim trunks on you.”