Page 4 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
Before I started dating Owen, I’d spent just about all of my free time with Anastasia. The two of us have been friends since middle school, and although I hadn’t seen her as much these last few years, that didn’t mean we didn’t talk on the phone whenever we got the chance.
Anastasia reaches across the table to take my hand. “Stella, I actually wanted to talk to you about something,” she says, hereyes earnest. “After you told me about what that stupid jerkface did, I started thinking about something. I think you should come stay with me until you get back on your feet. It’ll be fun, like old times!”
Her words shock me although I’m not sure why. It’s not like the two of us hadn’t lived together before, but…
“Anastasia, I couldn’t,” I protest, hesitant to accept her offer despite the relief it would bring.
“Yes, you can. Stella, you’re my best friend,” she replies firmly. “And right now, you need someone in your corner who’s going to help you through this. Let me be that person.”
Her words are heartwarming, but something stops me from accepting her offer. I don’t want to be anyone’s charity case. “Seriously, Anastasia, I can figure something else out. I always do. I don’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do or to become a burden or something.”
“Stella, please,” Anastasia insists. “You’re not a burden. This is what friends are for. You’ve always been there for me, and now it’s my turn to be there for you. Let me do this! You know I won’t let it go.”
That’s true. Once Anastasia sets her mind to something she doesn’t stop until she gets what she wants.
Despite my reservations, I really could use the support. “Alright,” I concede quietly, gratitude flooding through me. “Thank you, Anastasia.”
“Of course!” she exclaims, her face lighting up. “And don’t worry about finding a way to contribute. In fact, I might have a lead on a job for you.”
“Really?” I ask, perking up at the prospect of employment.
“Uh-huh,” she replies, reaching into her purse and pulling out a small piece of paper. “I was talking to my friend Marnie the other day, and she mentioned that they’re looking for someone at the gentlemen’s club she works at. Here’s her number.”
Taking the paper from her, I study the digits scrawled on it, my excitement dying down. Working at a gentlemen’s club isn’t exactly what I had in mind…
“Anastasia,” I start, hesitating, “I’m not sure if that’s the right kind of job for me.”
“Hey,” she says, holding up her hands defensively. “I know it’s not the most glamorous gig, but it pays well, and Marnie says the people there are respectful. Give it some thought, okay? At least give Marnie a call.”
I nod slowly, knowing that Anastasia just wants what’s best for me. “Alright, I’ll think about it,” I agree, even though I have no intention of doing that. A gentleman’s club is like one step over a strip club, isn’t it?
“No,” she says, her eyes softening. “Call her now. If I don’t watch you do it, I don’t believe you will.”
It’s annoying how well she knows me.
I take a deep breath, eyeing Anastasia. I pull out my phone and dial Marnie’s number, my fingers trembling ever so slightly. As the phone rings, nervousness churns inside me.
I desperately need a job, but a gentleman’s club…? I’m sure I know exactly what goes on there.
“Hello?” Marnie’s voice comes through, casual yet sharp. I must have caught her in the middle of something.
“Hi, uh, Marnie? This is Stella March. Anastasia Kensington gave me your number,” I say, trying to steady my voice, my eyes glancing to Anastasia who gives me a thumbs up across from me. “She mentioned that there might be a job opportunity at yourclub?”
“Ah yes, Stella!” Marnie replies, her tone brightening. “Anastasia told me all about you. She said you were pretty good, and that’s exactly what we need here. We’re looking for someone to join our team, and she thought you might be a good fit.”
Yeah…having boobs and a butt probably makes any woman eligible.
I fiddle with the edge of the napkin on the table. “That’s great to hear, but I should mention that I’ve never worked in a gentlemen’s club before. I don’t have any experience in that kind of environment.”
“Hey, no worries. Most of us didn’t have any experience before we started here either,” Marnie reassures me, her voice warm and genuine. “You’ll learn everything you need to know on the job, and the team will be more than happy to help you get settled in.”
I look at Anastasia again, who is scrolling on her phone now, but grinning. She’d clearly worked hard to get me this job, and I didn’t want to neglect the hard work that she’d put in.
I could try it out for a day, at least, right?And if I quit after then she couldn’t blame me…
“Thanks, Marnie,” I say, touched by her understanding. “I’m just a little nervous, I guess.”
“Totally normal. But trust me, once you get started, you’ll see it’s not as intimidating as it seems. Plus, the money’s good, and that never hurts.”
