Page 112 of Ewan

And not having it with the man I had in my life up until yesterday?

“No worries. I’m so good at making it look smooth that the other girls will ask me to teach them that. I’ll go now.”

I do that and roll my eyes as I pull away.

“The third door on the right,” he barks.

“I knew that,” I retort, having no idea where I’m going.

I find the door and let out a sigh before I realize two other women sit in front of their vanities, wearing fake lashes, crimson lipstick, and feathers on their hair.

No way I’m doing that.

24

SCARLETT

Twenty minutes later,who walks down the corridor with crimson lips, smokey eyes, and feathers artfully placed in her hair, click-clacking her heels?

Me.

I’m sure the feathers won’t stay clipped to my hair, but, hey, it’s not my show.

They wanted feathers?

Feathers they got.

My short shorts hug my hips and lift my butt, and I wear a camel toe concealer in the front to make sure my lower lips don’t part for the audience.

Fuckers.

Glitter makes my skin shine, and my bra gives my girls a perfect round shape.

The manager stands in the doorway, checking his phone.

“It was about time,” he says, not looking at me when I pull up in front of him.

He finishes typing a message and presses send before sliding his phone into his pocket and running his gaze over me from my shoes to my chest and face.

It all goes smoothly until he gets to my face covered in makeup, and he turns to stone.

I can’t help myself and talk.

“Yeah, I get that reaction all the time.”

“What did you do to your face?”

“You mean you like it?” I say, dripping with irony.

“You look different.”

“Like a woman who’s about to dance for cash.”

“Like, um––”

I flick my finger up.

“You better not say what you are about to say. I don’t need any of your disparaging comments. You can fire me if you wish. I won’t cry over that. I promise. You’re here for the money. I’m here for some cash. Let’s pretend we don’t need to talk to each other.”

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