17

ere the hum of the air conditioning and the di

t had ended at 6 PM, but Darren had dumped another pile of wo

pi

austed, hungry,

s as she made her way to the exit. Just as she stepped into the lobby,

a

hip cocked to the side, and she wore a

a teased, flicking her curly

on't start. I've h

sha straightened and linked her arm thr

ity sidewalk, the streets buzzin

u," Chloe started, her tone softer no

y knew where

ou, tasha

n let me finish

ook. "You're going to ask m

sienna You don't even have to strip. Just be a waitress. Serve drinks, smile

don't know, Tasha . It j

orst that could happen? Some drunk guy gets hand

o say no, but Tasha wasn't wro

t one night. Try it. If you hate it, don't come back. But

t out a l

into trouble?

u call me, and I'll kic

lf, sienna la

bout it," she

"That's all I n

sinking into the stiff seats

nt door of their tiny apartment, her b

fitting their worn-out couch and a

g on the couch, flipping through an old boo

You're ho

a tired smile. "

collapse onto the couch when she spo

eath h

e

t d

er throat as she s

r voice carefully eve

hesi

stomach

ia

ted. "We... were

eart

er medication in days because they couldn't

her shoulders

n't keep

d her phone, her fingers trembli

d, sienna whispered the words

e the a

f her closet, staring a

er dressed

ght... s

, hugging her curves. It was something Tasha had gifted her ages a

g coat, hiding the

rom the couch, curiosi

"What do you fe

lit up. "

odded. "

d, jumping

her outside, heading toward the f

nd wanted to treat them all to a fancy meal, this was all before her

de, the warm smell of freshl

meals-something fil

ashier cash, she fe

was hesitant. "Where

ced a care

worry a

too excited about the foo

ienna set the bags down, kissed her mo

ter. Enjoy your

followed her. "El

r behind her befor

entirely different fr

in her chest. The air was thick with smoke and expens

colors-deep purples, el

a blur of weal

P sections, drinking from glasses t

others in barely-there lingerie

swallow

een in a place

ide her, a knowing

e to Cl