Page 16 of The Bloke

When the class finished,I returned to the front desk to check the reservations for the next one. Depending on the day, I instructed four classes in the morning and three to four in the evening. Some classes had the twelve reformers full, while others had as few as three, but I loved what I did. I could have a class with only one customer and still be happy to instruct.

“As always, you kick my ass with your classes.” Chyler chuckled, stepping up beside me and wiping the sweat from her brow with a towel.

“I had planned on going easy on everyone this morning, but when you stopped in, I couldn’t resist making you suffer,” I laughed with a smirk. “This isn’t your usual class; what brings you in today? Canceled classes? When is graduation again?” I quizzed.

“No canceled classes. Graduation is next month, and thank fucking god for that.” She sighed. “I’m ready to move back to Minnesota and be closer to my sister…butI actually came by to see if you were interested in going out tonight. It’s Jessie’s birthday, and we are going toHeaven Down Under.”

“I haven’t seen Jessie in months. Is she still at the bar?” Chyler and I waited tables at the same place until one crazy busy night when she was pulled to work behind the bar and stayed there ever since. She was always sneaking us shots when things got slow. Jessie replaced me, but I stopped in often to visit Chyler, so Jessie and I became well acquainted over time.

“She is, but only like once a week. So, are you in?” I could hear the excitement in her tone. Looking over my schedule for the day, I saw my last class was at six.

“Yeah, I can make it.” I nodded in confirmation. “My last class is at six. I need to shower and change, and I can meet you two around eight?” I arched my brow, hoping that it wouldn’t be too late.

I didn’t even know when the show started. I’ve heard of Heaven Down Under but haven’t seen it myself. You’d think I would have after living here for over five years.

“Great, the show starts at nine. I’ll have Jessie book your seat at our table. This is going to be so much fun,” She beamed.

Chyler always loved chasing after hot men almost as much as me. I was surprised after all this time that she hadn’t found one to keep around longer than a couple of weeks. She wasn’t the relationship type—as I’ve been told. Unlike me, who was waitingfor the right man to sweep her off her feet like a prince in a fairytale.

Chyler and I may have different perspectives on relationships, but there was one thing we did together and did well—being each other’s wingwoman. We knew how to get men and were never shy. I think that's why we always got along so well; our personalities were very similar.

“Alright, I’ll meet you at the showroom in Neon Palms by nine. There’s a bar right outside of it, right?” I’ve been to Neon Palms several times, so I was no stranger to the layout and where everything was.

“Yeah,Glow, we will meet you there. Thanks for the class,” Chyler smiled before heading out the door, and I could barely contain the excitement for tonight.

I’ve needed a girls’ night for a few weeks.

This will be a welcome break just to let loose and have some fun.

My last class wrappedup by seven, and I spent the past half hour cleaning the studio and equipment so I wouldn’t have to worry about doing it in the morning. I modified the morning schedule to start a little later than usual.

There were only two or three customers per class, and after reaching out to them, I found that they were more than happy to blend into the late morning class at eleven.

After locking the studio door, I got into my beat-up white Dodge Avenger and drove to my apartment to get ready. It wouldn’t take me long; I knew exactly what I had planned to wear; excited was a complete understatement.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped my long brunette hair in a towel and dug through my drawers for my denim booty shorts and strappy black crop top. I pulled on a black lace thong, finished dressing, and ran into the bathroom to do my make-up.

I went with a dark brown smokey eye, a champagne shimmer on the lids, a black liner on my waterline, and a bright pink lip matching my heels. The contrast between the dark brown makeup and my black top made the pink pop even more. It was my favorite outfit and look for partying.

Hearing my phone chime, I stepped back into the bedroom and picked it up from the dresser.

Chyler: We are at Glow; see you soon!

If they were already drinking now, I would have some catching up to do by the time I arrived.

Me: Order me a few pink Starburst shots!

They were my favorite. Sweet, sour, and fruity. It was also my favorite candy. However, there are nights when I prefer fireball and hot tamales.

Chyler: Done!

I ran back into the bathroom to style my hair into rough beach waves. I had thick hair that landed just above my lower back. My hair was shorter when I was dancing back in New York because putting it up in a tight bun all of the time was a pain in the ass, but now that I could have it down or up in a messy bun, I try to keep it as long as possible.

With my hair styled, I grab my black and white Kate Spade purse from my bed before sliding on my heels and making a beeline for the door. I took one last look at myself in the full-length mirror by the door as I pulled out my phone to call a Lyft.

I was every part of the woman I had dreamed of being.

Now, I just needed the man to go with it, and I wasn’t getting any younger.

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