Page 32 of Dance for Me

Skeletons in the Closet

Vanessa stood there on the side, watching Doug, who was sitting in one of the tables under the canopy. He looked nervous. Rearranging the water glasses and frantically looking around. Probably worried that she would stand him up.

She almost did.

He was still good looking. Hair all styled perfectly, with his fabulous skin complexion that she was always so jealous of. Regardless, she was starting to get second thoughts and contemplated leaving.

Doug looked over and spotted her just in time. No turning back now because he got up and waved her to the table.

“You look nice,” he said to her with a smile.

She decided to go with a sun dress today, it hit at her knees and was fun. It didn’t give him the wrong idea. Had it been Jack on this date? It would have been her tight jeans.

“Thanks.” They sat down across from each other. To her left was the busy city street. The day was pretty though, with the sun shining. She wanted to just get this over with.

“I ordered us the usual,” he gave her a nervous smile. It bugged her that he remembered her lunch order from here, which was the southwest chicken salad. “I have to be honest. I didn’t think you would show.”

“Yeah, I thought about it.” She sat back in her chair, giving Doug the coldest stare. "So, you said you wanted to talk. So… talk.”

“I figured we could at least get our food first?” Vanessa sat there as she continued to glare. “Right. Okay, well I know I already apologized over the phone for the names I called you at the bar, but I thought I would start off by saying sorry again,” he sighed and looked down at his hands.

Vanessa nodded. Easing up a tad on her if looks could kill vibe.

“Also bringing it back to the past. I know I sucked as a boyfriend and I know you said that I made you feel like you weren’t good enough for me but the truth is… I never thought I was good enough for you.”

That caught Vanessa off guard and by surprise. She didn’t expect him to say that.

After their food had arrived, they ate while they talked more. The slight awkwardness wearing off, having been so long since they actually spoke. Doug spent half the lunch telling her how much he messed up in their relationship and how much he wished he could turn back time. She accepted it and moved on.

They reminisced on past trips they took together, funny stories that they remembered happening to them. She also told him about the club and he didn’t pass judgment this time. It was comfortable, but it was only because she used to date him, so it was a familiar comfort.

Doug walked with her to the end of the block as he hailed her a cab. “Well, I’m glad you came today,” he smiled. “Can we do this again, hangout I mean?”

He opened his arms for an invitation to a hug. Unlike last time, she accepted. It was nice and warm but that was all it was. “Sure, sounds good Doug.”

She gave him a smile and left in the cab.

* * *

Vanessa decided that after her lunch, she would head on over to the Pink Lace. Being that it was a Sunday, the club was closed but she liked to go there and work on Sundays because she would be alone. Jack would sometimes be there, in his office working but for most of the time, it was just her. She was happy that Jack trusted her enough to give her a key. But then again, why wouldn’t he trust her?

Ever since being employed for Pink Lace, she could say that she gained some great coworkers but it wasn’t just that. She gained friends and what she called family. She was also fortunate that Michelle met and liked Owen and Jazz. Having met Raven only a couple times, she was always busy with her son. Vanessa felt bad for her at times because being a single mother couldn’t be easy. Hell, Vanessa could say life was hard and adding a little human to raise wouldn’t be cake.

She counted the number of outfits that were hanging on the racks. How many she needed to replace and which ones would stay. She tapped her pencil on the side of her temple. All of them were going, she decided.

The designs were being shipped to her apartment and she was excited to see the final product. Although, she could admit to being just as nervous. She was just about to write down the count when she heard voices coming from outside the dressing room.

She could have sworn she locked the door.

Stepping out, she saw three men. Two who were of a bigger build, and one in the middle who was smaller framed but not any less intimidating. All three were nicely dressed and they looked to be middle aged. Her guess, forties, maybe early fifties.

They looked around as if looking for someone.

Vanessa nervously cleared her throat, “Can I help you gentlemen? The club is closed today.” All three of them looked her way. She subconsciously took a step back. She wasn’t sure what it is was, but they gave her a bad feeling.

The one who was the smaller framed, slowly paced around for a moment. As she watched him, she could hear her heart beat.

The guy in the middle wore a vile grin on his face as he took a step forward to her. The other two stayed, arms placed behind their backs. “Hello dear, and you are?”

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