Page 246 of Unexpected Hero

I narrow my eyes at her and put my hands on my hips, but there’s only a hint of anger. “Don’t talk about him like that.”

She flaps her hands in a what-did-I-do gesture. “I’m kidding. Mostly. But I love how you defend him.”

I know she’s playing about James. And to be fair, he was somewhat mechanical when we first met. Most of the time, I had no idea if he liked me, hated me, wanted to fuck me, or was about to kill me.

She holds her arms open for a hug, which I greedily accept.

When I pull out of her embrace, I wipe the few tears that escaped and nod in agreement. “I meant what I said. I will fight for him.”

She winks suggestively and purrs, “Good girl.”

“Oh nice! Praise kink mode activated. Testing out your Domme side? I approve.”

We hug once more, some of the lightness returning. Once I’m back in the line for the restroom, I study the tuxedo woman at the sink. What a fascinating human.

Still singing her tinkle song, she squirts liquid soap onto the hands of the ladies that approach the sink, then hands them paper towels when they’re done washing. She’s even turning the faucets on and off for them.

This woman is high on life and happy as a pig in shit to be hanging out in a nightclub bathroom like it’s her job to help people make pee-pee.

As I get closer to the front of the line, I wonder if it is her job. Between the sink basins, she has a tip bowl beside an array of perfumes, hair spray, mints, and mouthwash.

Is she a bathroom attendant? Is that a thing in Clearwater? We didn’t have those in Climax.And I never saw it in Tallahassee, either.

As a silver lining to this ADHD gold mine, I’m no longer fuming about the bitch we left at the bar.

After waiting my turn, I use the facilities and approach the tuxedo lady. She’s as sweet as can be to me, and I’m beaming back at her by the time I’ve washed up. I throw a few bucks in her tip jar. She rewards me with a wink and a twerk. That’s a nice touch.

While I wait for Freya to finish, I linger in the corner of the restroom.Three girls are lined up in front of the mirror, taking selfie after selfie.

Ugh. Not my vibe.If it were me, I’d get the tuxedo twerking songbird in the picture. That’s a missed opportunity.

Once Freya is done, we head out to find Vanessa. I’m determined not to let her ruin our GNO. If she wants to keep being nasty, I’m gonna do my own thing. She can leave without me.

In fact, I like that idea.

I’ll get a rideshare to James’s place to surprise him. He said he was done working, so he’s probably doing whatever he does when he’s at home alone. Practicing his rope skills on a sex doll? Playing video games? Reading the Tax Code?

I want to see him.

I need to apologize for my overreaction last night and for giving him the cold shoulder.

He said he mostly pulled out. It’s unlikely I’m pregnant. I just did the Lettie thing and freaked out before processing my feelings.

And when I get there, I’ll have a thousand bucks in my back pocket. I could use it to pay him back for the bedroom set and shit he bought me. Clean the slate.

Yeah, this contest is gonna give me what I need to get over that shit.

And I know exactly what song I’ll sing.

I’ll be thinking of him the entire time.

Because I’m his sugar bear.

Chapter 46

General drunk mess

LETTIE

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