Page 14 of Four of Hearts

“I sure did! And you know what? I will actually try and get him to take me out. I felt a connection.”

Willa felt connections with everything. Animals, plants, food. But she truly was someone who knew when someone else was right for her. Friendship wise or not, she picked the people around her with care, just like I did.

We went through the sliding door once it opened for us, and we stopped as we saw the bar for the first time.

There were round tables and chairs everywhere, with a bar area in the back, and a small stage in the front. The room was dimly lit in a sensual purple color, and there was music playing from speakers, but only loud enough to still hear each other speak.

“Just how I imagined a strip club to look like,” Willa admitted.

“Same. And it smells good in here, too. I guess it’s not a normal bar where people smoke all the time.”

“You’re right. So? Where do we sit?”

There were already a couple of tables occupied, and while all of those women were sitting in the front right where the stage was, we decided to take a seat at one of the tables closer to the bar.

“Perfect. We have a great view of the stage and are close to the drinks.”

“Speaking of…would you like one already?” I asked, hanging my purse over the back of the chair.

Willa already sat down. She looked up at me and nodded. “A Moscow Mule, please.”

We both had our signature drinks. While for Willa it was a Moscow Mule, an Espresso Martini was always my choice. I headed to the bar, with my credit card ready to pay on my phone, and I waited for the barkeeper to turn his attention to me.

I smiled when he looked at me, and he came over with a tiny smirk spread across his lips. “What can I get you?” he asked, leaning forward with his elbows on the counter.

“An Espresso Martini and a Moscow Mule, please. Oh, and two shots of Smirnoff Raspberry, please.”

He immediately started to make the drinks, and while he did, I turned my body to look at the stage. I was fascinated by this place, and while bars and clubs normally made me feel uncomfortable, this one gave me a sense of comfort.

“First time here?” the barkeeper asked.

“Yes, and I’m impressed. Is it always this clean?”

“Clean?”

“I mean the air. I don’t like smelly places, and this one just smells like a freshly baked lemon cake,” I told him, laughing softly as I looked at his amused face.

“I guess it does smell nice in here. Not like other bars, and I’ve worked in many. What’s your name?”

“Lola.”

“I’m Elia. I like your name.”

I smiled at him. “Thanks, I like yours too. Never heard of it.”

“My parents are Swiss, and it’s pretty popular over there.” He put a tray in front of me and set both drinks and the two shots on it. “It’s easier to carry this way. Don’t worry about the tray. I’ll come get it later.”

I picked it up and smiled at him one more time before thanking him and heading back to Willa. “Everyone here is extremely friendly. I think we should come back even when there’s no strip show going on.”

Willa laughed. “I will definitely have to come back anyway. Just for Morris.”

Right.

Almost forgot about the doorman who made her fall head over heels.

I sat down next to her and we both lifted a shot glass to make a toast. “To us!”

“And to the men who will soon be on that stage showing off their bodies and dancing for us,” Willa said, then she added. “And to Morris, because I will definitely let him take me out on a date as soon as possible.”

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