Page 8 of Shy Santa

“I don’t know how you do that so fast. Every time I try to use the dang curling iron, I burn myself and look like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket.”

“Yeah, ya really do.” She laughed as she sat in my seat so I could do her make-up.

“Now, are we going sweet innocence or flagrant whore tonight?” I asked, picking up my shadow brush.

“Let’s go ‘dirty little innocent’.” She smirked.

“Oh! I like that.”

* * *

Maya broke awayto find Sadie and let her know we’d arrived. I, however, bee-lined for the bar at the back of the theater.

The building was impressive. I don’t know what the inside looked like before the Revue opened up, but they must have taken pains to keep the old-world charm that was here. I could see rich families showing in droves dressed to the nines to be seen at"The Theater”—yes, it has to be capitalized and spoken in that British snobbish air—getting their culture on and all that. The place reminded me a little of the theater from Phantom of the Opera. Well, if it was a tenth the size and built in an old southern mountain town. But the opulence was still there, just on a lesser scale.

I plopped my metallic dusty-rose colored clutch on the bar and sat on a stool. A few staff huddled around the far end. A tall woman broke away and came down to my side when she caught sight of me.

“What can I get for you?” She asked, an order pad in hand.

“I’ll take two shots of whiskey and an order of nachos.”

She grabbed a couple of shot glasses, the bottle of whiskey, and poured. “I’ll get the order into the kitchen. Want something else to drink as well?” she eyed me skeptically.

“I’ll have a beer to go with the nachos, but for now I’ll get a Pina Colada. Do you guys use pineapple to garnish?”

“Yep,” she said as she entered my order into the computer at the back of the bar. “Do you have a table yet?”

“This lovely expanse of wood is going to be my home for the duration of the evening.” My bitter, brittle smile said to fuck off if she had any comments about that.

“Got it. I’ll have our newbie keep you stocked up.” She smirked before making my beautiful frozen happiness.

I swear to you; I’m not a lush, but for tonight I planned to play the part with expertise.

With only minimum flinching as it burned down my throat, I downed the shots.

Taking in the theater, I spotted Maya by the right side of the stage, talking with a couple of women I didn’t recognize.

“Addy, I’m so happy you came!” a high-pitched voice squealed behind me.

I turned to see Sadie in a white, clingy tube dress. She grabbed me in a tight hug I desperately wanted out of.

Once she let me go, I plastered on a fake smile and raised my voice’s pitch to meet hers. “Yep, came with Maya.”

With a hold on my arms, she looked me over. “You look great. Maya didn’t tell me if you would make it, but that’s okay. I can fit you in at a table. We reserved half the hall for the party.” She gushed. “Daddy got us theToppackage this place offered.”

What was I supposed to say to my former best friend? I hope you found happiness. All I wanted to do was slap her away from me.

Was I still bitter at walking in on her fucking Terry? Yes. Yes, I was.

The worst part was that he’d been balls deep in her ass. The thing he’d been begging me to do for months ,and I refused.

“That’s great.” My fake smile still on my face. “And no worries. I’m good over here. They promised me my very own bartender for the evening.”

“Oh, okay. Well, just… let them know everything is part of our package.” She stammered as her smile faltered.

A small part of me felt bad. Sadie had always been a great friend. Well, until Terry. And I knew she was always desperate for approval, and I couldn’t hold Terry against her forever. She did me a solid by showing what a colossal prig he was.

“Thanks for the invite. I’m sorry, I’m not more in the party spirit. Been a rough week at work.”Way to go me, offer that olive branch.

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