Babs gave me the “you’re full of shit” look.

“Fine, he has a little authority but I overrule him,” I conceded.

“Pissing around your territory, Jett? That’s very unbecoming of you.”

Growing frustrated, I sat up and spoke directly to her. “Stop changing the subject. Everything that is not involved with your makeup line is to desist and you are to sign up for the business class tonight. I’m not doing this to be a bastard like you think, I’m doing this because I want nothing more than for you to succeed and if that means I need to hone you in, then I will. You were right when you said this was your second chance and I’m going to make it my mission that you flourish, all right?”

Babs somberly nodded her head as she looked down at her hands. When she looked back up, there were tears clouding her eyes. Babs never showed emotion, ever. She was just as stoic as I was so to see her eyes brimming with tears was new to me.

“I just want to thank you, Jett.”

I didn’t do well when people thanked me, gave me credit for things. It was hard to be gracious because all I felt was awkward. I was born into a privileged life and because of that, I made it my mission to help those who weren’t privileged, it was my duty.

“You’re welcome,” I said politely.

“Do you know what I’m thanking you for?”

“I have an idea,” I said with a slight smile, not revealing too much, never revealing too much.

“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway. I want to thank you for picking me, for welcoming me into your home and giving me a chance to recreate myself. You gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful. You saved me, Jett, you’ve saved all of us.”

I just nodded, wanting this moment to pass.

Babs sensed my uneasiness and laughed.

“God, you just can’t handle it when someone passes you a compliment, can you?”

“Nope,” I answered honestly. “Now, if you would excuse me, I need to get to bed. You’re going to sign up for that class right away, right?”

“Yes, Daddy dearest.”

I cringed, making her laugh. “Let’s refrain from calling me that.”

“You’re too easy.” Babs got up and started walking toward the door. She turned around in the doorframe and said, “Oh, you might want to go see Lo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the girl’s smile fall so flat since I’ve been here after I was called up.”

I didn’t acknowledge Babs because what was going on between Lo and I was our business, I didn’t want to encourage the other Jett Girls’ advice, especially since they loved giving it so freely.

“Don’t you fuck with her, Jett. She is too good for that.” Babs apparently didn’t care about my silence.Those were her parting words as she walked away and headed back downstairs.

Like I didn’t already fucking know that. Goldie was way too good, especially for a heartless bastard like me but because of that lack of heart, I didn’t think about the repercussions, instead I just took what I wanted and what I wanted was Goldie.

Chapter Nine

“Break In”

Lo

Another presentation was in the books, making me forget how many I had under my belt now. I did know that Pepper was right when she said the original presentations were the best because I had never felt sexier than when I was wearing my Jett Girl kit that Jett designed specifically for me. We had a couple of odd presentations coming up that we have been practicing for so it was nice to just give a normal one, to dance to normal music and play out some hot choreography.

Miss Mary and I came to a mutual understanding this afternoon after butting heads all morning. Basically what it came down to was that she would stop threatening me with her ruler if I would put a sugar-coated filter over my mouth. You would think I had the harder task given the track record of nonsense that flew out from my lips but I saw Miss Mary glance back at her ruler in yearning and twitch in need.

I had a couple more lessons lined up with Miss Mary but what I learned so far was Jett socializes with a bunch of uppity frog warts and my nights accompanying him were going to be full of fake smiles and cheesy comments. Frankly, I didn’t care because if it meant spending more time with Jett, then I would do pretty much anything. I enjoyed our time more than anything in the Bourbon Room but one of my favorite moments ever was when we were on the Steamboat Natchez, watching the river ripple and being encased by his firm embrace as we watched the big red paddle push us forward. That day was the best date I had ever been on and it was burned in my memory. I only wished he would ask me out again.

I knew that day was hard on him, we both opened up and shared with each other, me more than him, but still, it was the first glimpse I ever saw of the man inside the stoic shell and more than anything, I wanted to get to know that man better because what I did know, I liked a lot and could not stop thinking about.

“Good job tonight, ladies,” Kace said as he walked backstage.

All the girls were sitting in chairs, taking their regular shots of the night and discussing the creeps they saw in the room during our presentation. We weren’t allowed to talk about them but in our little circle we shared because it was just too good not to.

“Did you see the guy with the neck pube?” Francy asked as she grabbed Tootse’s hand and pulled her on her lap. Tootse didn’t put up a fight as she succumbed to Francy’s demand and placed her head on Francy’s shoulder.

“Neck pube?” I asked, trying to recall such a thing on one of the men.

“Yeah, seat six had a giant hair popping out of his neck that practically waved at us as we danced. The damn thing was so distracting.”

“How could you see from that far away?” I asked.

“Lo, the damn thing was as thick as a Red Vine and was blacker than burnt shit.”

“How black is burnt shit?” Babs asked as she took off her mask.

“Black,” Francy replied, very sure of herself.

“I didn’t see it but now I wish I did. I was really wondering about the color of burnt shit,” I replied with a smile.

“Smart ass,” Francy muttered as Tootse gave her a peck on the cheek.

“I’m sure the neck pube was real gross, honey. Yucky!” Tootse added, while scrunching up her nose. “I just don’t see why it’s so hard for men to stay trimmed. I mean, we keep things clean, would it be so hard for them to trim their neck pubes?”

“Fucking neck pubes,” I added to Tootse’s rant.

“I’m just grateful I’m a lesbian. Men are nasty,” Francy said.

“Not all men,” Kace gruffed out as he sat back in his chair with his arms across his chest.

I had to agree with that statement. Not all men was right, especially any of the men that were associated with the Lafayette Club. They were all fine specimens that God graced New Orleans with.

“How was Miss Mary?” Pepper asked as she poured herself another shot. “I remember my first etiquette class with her. I thought she was going to slit my pussy open with the raw edge of that damn ruler of hers. That bitch is terrifying.”

I laughed from Pepper’s shiver.

“I’m pretty sure she had a crush on me,” Tootse said. “All she did was stare at my boobs.”

“I don’t blame her,” Francy added as she poked Tootse’s breast with her index finger.

“Stop that,” Tootse shoed her away. “We don’t want to get Lo all hot and bothered again.”

“Shut up,” I said while everyone laughed.

“I know lesbian things,” Francy joked, quoting me from one of my very intoxicated nights.

“Melons for sale!” Tootse added.

Everyone laughed, even Kace let out a little snicker.

“Ha, ha, you guys are so fucking hilarious. Taking advantage of the intoxicated is a crime, you know.”

“No it’s not.” Babs laughed. “And you wanted all of that, the girls just followed through.”

“They enticed me,” I said defending myself.