Page 8 of Thick Girls Pole

Anjannette rolled her eyes.

“You seriously don’t see it?”

I returned her eye roll and shook my head then walked across the room toward Simon.

Simon

Shannon tooka few steps away from me as Keera walked in our direction.

“Hey stranger, it’s so good to see you,” Keera said. “Although I have to say, I’m surprised to see youhere.”

“When I saw you were having an open house, I figured I’d come check the place out since I’ve heard so much about it.”

Her eyes shifted to Shannon who was standing a few feet away. I was about to call her over to introduce them when a woman approached and asked Keera a question. She excused herself and my gaze tracked her as she followed the woman to the information table.

Shannon appeared back at my side and nudged me with her elbow. When I didn’t respond to that, she pinched my side.

“Stop,” I whispered.

“You need to cut to the chase and ask. She’s busy and people are going to keep interrupting.”

“We literally had just enough time to say hello.” I looked around. “But you’re right, she is busy. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. I can just call or text her.”

“You arenottexting to ask her out. Have a little class. You’re not a frat boy making a booty call on a Saturday night.”

“I’ll call her then. This was a stupid idea. Of course she’s busy.”

“It wasn’t stupid. You got this. Just take a deep breath and relax.”

Normally it annoys me when Shannon says stuff like that, but right now, I’m grateful she’s here. I’ve been interested in Keera for a long time, but never thought I’d have the opportunity to ask her out. Last night, I really thought I had this all under control, but now my palms are sweaty and I feel like someone punched me in the gut.

“Remember what you said last night,” Shannon said. “You don’t have anything to lose. You guys don’t work together anymore, so it’s not like you’ll have to see her every day.”

I did say that and it sounded so logical but now the words aren’t offering much comfort. Because if I don’t have to worry about seeing her every day, it means she turned me down.

“Shhh, she’s coming back,” I said.

“I wasn’t saying anything.”

“Sorry about that,” Keera said.

“No problem. I know you’re busy. Before I forget my manners, this is my sister Shannon.” I shifted my gaze between them. “Shannon, this is Keera Jordan. We worked together at Wilder.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Shannon said.

Keera’s eyes widened as they shook hands, a typical reaction when people find out we’re siblings. The reaction intensifies when I mention we’re twins. We barely look like we’re related.

“Simon mentioned he had a sister, but he didn’t tell me you’re gorgeous. I’m so jealous of your hair.” She wrinkled her nose. “And your skin. It’s flawless.”

“I’m a makeup artist so trust me when I tell you the skin is all smoke and mirrors. And my hair is nothing compared to yours.”

Keera pushed her thick brown hair over her shoulder.

“It’s the one thing I can thank genetics for.”

I’d half expected Shannon to make some snarky comment about my ginger hair, but she didn’t. I guess she really is trying to help me out here.

“Shannon is in town this weekend and when I mentioned the open house, we decided to come check out the studio.”

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