Page 47 of Everest

“It’s an unwritten rule, and you know it.” Promise juts out her chin.

“Fine. The next time I’m in trouble, I’ll come to you.”

“Good. And you’re going to let me help with your mom.”

I shake my head. “No. I can’t let you do that.”

“London, there is no way I’m going to let you keep stripping when I have the means to help.”

“I love you, Promise, but it’s not happening. Besides…” I shrug. “Dancing is not that bad. I love my boss and the girls I work with. I’ve made some good friends at the Pink Palace.”

I can tell Promise is skeptical. “You mean, you want to keep dancing?”

“No, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to help my mom. I’m just saying the people I work with make it possible.”

“What’s Everest say?” Promise asks.

“Kallum doesn’t have a say in what I do.”

Promise bites her bottom lip to try to hide her smile. “We’ll see.”

I roll my eyes. “We’ll see my ass. I’m not letting any man tell me what I can and can’t do.”

At that, Promise lets out a full-on cackle. “Oh, London. You have so much to learn when it comes to these men. I have a feeling you will find out sooner rather than later, though.”

“Please, I can handle Kallum.”

Promise doesn’t look convinced. “Whatever you say, London. I can tell you now that my money is on Everest. There is no way he’s letting you back on that stage. When one of these men claims a woman, they are claimed.”

“You make them sound like cavemen?”

“That’s because they are.” Promise giggles. “You have been around long enough to see that it’s true. Only now, it’s your turn to experience it. And I have to say, it’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure.”

“What are you on about now?”

Promise makes a tsking sound. “Don’t be dense. Everyone has been watching you and Everest dance around each other since the day you met. I’m just surprised it took y’all this long to get your shit together. I bet the sex was off the charts with all the back-and-forth flirting that’s been happening. The sexual tension has been off the charts.”

My mouth hangs open at her bold observation. “How do you know we had sex?”

Promise looks at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Hello, a woman can tell when her best friend has been laid… and laid good and proper. And you, London, have most definitely been laid.” Promise leans into me, her expression serious. “I have to know. How was it?”

I want to stay irritated with my best friend, but the truth is, I can’t. Half the fun of having a best friend is talking about men. “Best I ever had. Bar none,” I confess.

Promise’s face lights up with a huge grin. “I’m happy for you.”

I laugh. “You’re happy I’m having good sex?”

“Ah, yeah. Rules are if your best friend is having the best sex of her life, you’re happy for her,” Promise says with mock irritation.

“Best sex of your life?” a deep voice rumbles.

Startled, I turn to see Everest standing just inside the door, looking as smug as ever.

I narrow my eyes on him. “What makes you think I was talking about you?”

His lip twitches like he’s trying not to laugh. The bastard knows I was talking about him.

“What are you doing eavesdropping anyway? Catcher said you wouldn’t be back until later.”

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