Page 22 of His Old Lady

Chapter 7

Faye

Jenna lifted her legand put her high-heeled shoe on the curb in front of Kingston Bar and used the brush out of the clear nail polish to dab the run in her nylons. Stephanie tugged at the front of her halter top, showing more cleavage.

"Check my ass." Angela turned and arched her back. "I don't want the bottom of my cheeks showing when I walk in there."

Faye strolled around her three friends. "You all look great. Remember, it's not an interview. Lance has already hired us, so let's not get nervous—or we'll probably chicken out. We're just going to walk in there, hear the rules, and go home. Let's show him how professional we are and save the sexiness for work."

"I am so out of my element." Angela inhaled deeply. "Serving food and drinks is easy. This is going to be hard."

Faye pressed her hand to her stomach, smoothing her shirt. Dressed more conservatively than her friends, making sure everyone at Kingston Bar understood that they would take the job seriously and once they were off the clock, they were off-limits, she tried to calm the jitters.

Since she was responsible for them being unemployed, it was only fair that she agreed to their idea to try working at the bar. Never in her wildest dreams would she have taken the job by herself. But the higher wages were an incentive she couldn't turn down. She'd expand the nursery sooner than she hoped.

What happened inside during working hours was only a means to an end until she reached her goal. Nobody knew her here. It would only be for a few months. After that, she'd have enough saved, put Grandma June's house up for sale, and be ready to move on to her future.

"Let's go get this done." She walked to the door and waited for them all to fall in line.

As one, they went inside. Faye spotted Lance sitting in a booth at the back wall. She gazed around the open room. The last time she'd come to Kingston Bar, it was after six o'clock, and the place was packed with customers. The rumors she'd heard about the popularity of the bar had proven true.

The rough, tough men were the same as those she'd grown up around. Uncle Walker had appeared scary to others, but to her, he was a teddy bear that was large, fiercely protective, and full of love. She'd pretend they were all like her uncle.

She shivered, not liking that idea.

The decision to accept the job was the right one. Those that liked to party and have a good time were loose with their money.

More customers meant more cash for her and the girls.

She led the others across the room. Coming here and working in Missoula was a new experience for her. She was no longer in her comfort zone. Everything from the owner of the bar down to the men who would visit was new to her.

Her nervousness was shadowed by excitement. She liked taking control of her life and making things happen to further her dreams.

"Faye." Lance scooted out of the booth against the far wall and stood, his gaze going to Jenna, Angela, and Stephanie. "Right on time."

"We're excited." She shook his hand and made introductions.

"This is great." He complimented each one of them.

Stephanie for her red hair. Jenna for her eyes. Angela for her body, which made Lance whistle and flirt. To her relief, each of her girlfriends stood still and took everything with grace.

"Let's get down to business." Lance rubbed his hands together. "What you're wearing is great. Of course, the tops will come off. I don't know if you've worked—"

"We have." She smiled, lying through her teeth. "We're adaptable and used to working together."

While they'd worked together for a few years, their time was spent with their clothes on, wearing skirts that fell to their knees and buttoned shirts.

"We're pretty laidback here. There will be two other girls working with you each evening you're scheduled. You can discuss which tables you want to cover amongst yourselves. As long as the customers are served and happy, I'll stay out of your business."

She glanced at the others. Lance needed to keep his distance, unlike her old boss at the lounge, or Kingston Bar would find themselves with four fewer waitresses.

"The bar will provide you one meal during your shift. You'll get two twenty-minute breaks and a half-hour lunch." Lance looked over the group of women. "Are you ready for tonight?"

The others eagerly nodded. Jenna, out of all of them, loved attention, and was the most enthusiastic about the job. Angela was curious, though she could be shy until she got comfortable—then, watch out. Stephanie, as a single mom, wanted the money that afforded her a house where she could have her mom live with her to help take care of her son.

For her, the money earned would go straight into her savings account, where eventually she would use it to gain the biggest step in her life. With a way to propel her into a life of her own, she could get out from under Curley control and Tarkio Motorcycle Club's thumb.

That independence gave her a sense of security. A sense that she could push back the fear of losing anyone else in her life.

---