Page 50 of Four of Hearts

“Isn’t this so exciting? Male strippers…I’ve only ever seen them in movies, but I’m so glad I found the Four of Hearts. They’re so hot, but most of all, they’re such kind men. Is this your first time here? Have you seen them before? I saw them every weekend this year. Well, except from that one weekend I was visiting my parents.”

I couldn’t keep up with her. She kept on talking and asking questions. In the meantime, the guys had already taken the stage. I didn’t want to be rude and tell her to shut up, but I desperately wanted to enjoy the show.

I smiled again, nodding every time she said something, and when she finally came to a stop, I held up my hand to keep her quiet. “They started,” I told her, pointing at the stage.

“Oh, dear. I’ve talked too much again. I’m so sorry. I’m just super excited every time I’m here. This is my favorite place on earth and—”

“Vivian.” Elia interrupted her, seemingly annoyed by her rambling. “Eyes up front. You know not to bother other guests.”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” She looked at me again and smiled, but her smile faded when she looked to the stage to only find three instead of four men. “Where’s Bennett? Why is he not on stage? Is he hurt? Did he get hurt or is he sick? How are they going to do the show without Bennett?”

I had to bite my tongue to stay quiet. She was getting annoying, but I didn’t want to be rude. I looked at Elia who had the same expression as me.

“Bennett is sick, Vivian. He’ll be back next weekend,” he told her. “Now, would you like a Coke? Otherwise I will have to ask you to go take a seat at your table.”

“Sick? What does he have? Oh, dear God. Hopefully it’s nothing bad.” Vivian looked truly horrified and worried, and it was then when I realized that she wasn’t so well herself. I couldn’t get mad at a person who clearly had some serious issues.

I turned to her and placed my hand on her shoulder, smiling gently. “He has the flu. It’s nothing life-threatening. He’ll be back on his feet in no time,” I assured her.

Her expression changed, with confusion lingering in her eyes. “How do you know all that?”

“Vivian, please get back to your table,” Elia urged, giving her a serious look. “You will miss the whole show.”

Vivian kept staring at me with that intense glare, and almost as if there was a switch inside of her, her expression changed again. “Oh dear, you’re right. I don’t want to miss out. Oh, I sure hope they choose me to go up on stage tonight. They’ve never chosen me. Can you believe it? And I’ve been to all of their shows. Well, other than the one I couldn’t attend because I went to visit my parents.”

“Vivian.” It was Elia’s last warning. This time, she acknowledged it and walked away.

“Sorry about her.”

I looked at Elia and waved a hand. “It’s fine. Has she really been to every show this year?”

“No, she definitely hasn’t.”

“Why would she lie about it?”

Elia shrugged. “She’s not well. This is not the only bar she goes to in town. She’s everywhere. And everywhere she goes, she causes trouble.”

I followed Vivian with my eyes, watching her leave the bar instead of sitting down like Elia had suggested. I tried to understand her motives for talking so highly of the guys when she didn’t even look at them while she left.

She was a grown woman. She had her reasons, and so I decided not to bother any longer. I took another sip of my drink and turned my focus to the guys.

I was here to enjoy the show, and to later be taken home by the three hot police officers dancing on stage.

Chapter 23

LOLA

The show had ended, and Willa decided to make an appearance once the guys left the stage. She walked over to me with a smirk on her face, and with strands of her hair sticking to her sweaty forehead.

“What did I miss?” she asked in a sarcastic tone.

I laughed and turned to her to brush her hair away from her face. “Quite a lot. But it looks like you had a fun time yourself.”

“I did. It was really, really fun.” She wiggled her brows at me, looking as silly as she sounded. “I also may have had too many drinks. It’s Elia’s fault though. I told him not to bring me more after the third one because I know you told him the same.”

“I brought you water after your third Moscow Mule, sweetheart,” Elia shot back with a raised brow. “Ask your man.”

“What? Not fair!” She sighed heavily and crossed her arms over her chest. “I will not pay for water. Water should be free.”

---