Two

Me and Latisha were at the bar getting more champagne for the stag do table.

“And he tipped you how much?” She turned to me with shock all over her face.

“A thousand pounds Tish. Can you believe it!”

“And you didn’t give him your number?”

“No I don’t date customers you know this,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Yeah but that″ she pointed over to him. “Is a fucking beautiful specimen of a man he has to be an exception no?”

“No no exceptions.”

“You’re crazy like seriously crazy. When was the last time you even had sex?” Her hand was on her hip now another grasped around a bottle.

“Ages ago, but that’s irrelevant.”

“No it isn’t!” She nearly shouted. “Give him your number, let him fuck you silly and go on your merry way. Where is he from? He don’t look like many of the others.”

“Russia.”

“Oh shit his Russian?! Seriously Harper, nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

“In the five years I’ve worked here I’ve never given a customer my number”. Latisha wasn’t helping here, she was making me regret my decision, but I didn’t want her to know it.

“Yeah and you’ve never let a customer touch you in five years and you did so,” she trailed off grabbing another bottle. I grabbed the two remaining bottles and followed her to the table.

“Here you go gents, please enjoy," she purred almost identical to me.

“Myself and my good friend here will be doing a double act on the pole in a few moments so do get your wallets out.” She winked at the groom. I placed the two bottles on the table and caught Dimitri’s eye. He gestured towards me and I leant down by his ear.

“Are you here tomorrow?” His voice was rougher and it did things to me.

“I’m working tomorrow yes.”

“Good.” Latisha grabbed my hand and we walked to the changing room. We always changed into something different when we did pole shows. Latisha taught me everything I knew, before I was shocking on the pole but now? I was one of the pros.

“What did he say to you?” She asked as she ripped her bra off and put a corset on.

“If I’m here tomorrow.”

“Oh my god! Oh my god! He isn’t giving up, girl.” She changed her knickers as I did the same.

“What if he turns out to be like some serial killer or even worse? Wants me to quit.” I changed bras to a black longer one and did it up by the back.

“Hey! Like Graham?” She asked, mock offended. “Why are you thinking about this like marriage and babies?”

“Because they all do the same. Just like Graham, cool with it and then want you to quit. I don’t want to quit.”

“Then don’t! You’re really reading way too much into this; you definitely need to get laid. He could just be a good fuck and you don’t owe him shit.” I nodded. She was right. We made our way onto the stage after the MC introduced us. “Special one night only! Princess and Misty!” Yep Latisha’s work name was Misty. Fucking awful. The music kicked in and we did what we always do, put on a show. We’d been best friends for years now and were both straight as an arrow so we felt each other up like we were making a cup of tea. As I jumped on the pole and faced down I saw him. Them eyes staring right at me.

Maybe Latisha was right, what was the harm? But something in the back of my head was ringing alarm bells. Did I check his ring finger? I bet he was married. I flipped back down to applause and we kissed for the show. Walking off stage Dimitri grabbed my arm.

“Oi boss no touching!” Our security Leon shouted. He let go of me and I raised a thumb to Leon so he knew I was okay.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Will you?”

“Yeah and wear that.” He pointed to my underwear and I caught a glimpse of his hand. Okay Harper no wedding ring. Just a serial killer then. I smiled at him and walked away.