Marshmellow

Jessica

I take a deep breath and turn around, only to come to stare at what I believe is a Greek God. Holy shit- this man looks like he could be carved of stone and placed at some glorious monument. “I’m so sorry,” I mutter- this is a nightmare!

Embarrassed that he saw my outburst, I turn around and begin to look for my shoe, but he taps his foot, demanding my attention, “Looking for this?” He asks, dangling the high heel I am looking for with his index finger.  He has a slight red mark on his arm, and that’s when I realize I launched my heel at this Greek God, and I left a mark on his beautiful body!

Oh, My GOD!

I reach for the heel, and he smirks, holding it above his head, “No, I think I will hold onto this. You seem to have anger issues, and I don’t want this stiletto shoved up my ass.” I take a step back, and even though he is wearing a smirk, his tone is serious, and now I can feel how red my face is.

“Sorry,” I mutter again, trying not to stare into his deep blue eyes. “I have had a horrible day and thought this place was closed….” I begin, but he interrupts me. 

“It is, but the manager is here for interviews. You just needed to knock. Maybe next time, take the time to read the sign posted on the door.” He says, pointing to a piece of paper taped to the glass door with bold letters. 

“Here for an interview? Please knock,” I read aloud, feeling incredibly stupid. I had hyped myself up so much for this that I have now made a fool of myself but wait- he said the manager was inside. 

Maybe he is someone of little importance. Maybe I haven’t screwed this up entirely yet. 

“Is that your other heel?” He asks, looking down at my broken shoe. I nod, bending down to pick it up, but he does the same thing, and when I stand back up, our bodies collide; his breath is hot on my forehead, and my heart stops beating- I am touching a God!

“It’s broken,” he states the obvious, and I catch my breath and step back.

“Yeah, it broke when I fell.” 

He nods as a slight smirk crosses his lips, and then he grabs the door handle, pulls it open, and motions for me to walk inside first. I forget about any pride I may have left and walk inside barefoot and embarrassed, praying I still get this job I desperately need.  The club is brightly lit, and there are no strobing lights like I thought there would be, but it smells awful in here.

Like stale alcohol, cheap perfume, and broken dreams. 

“Hey, Mike,” The God calls to a shadow in the back. “A clumsy girl who can’t read is here to answer the ad. Watch her carefully on the pole, would you? We don’t need a lawsuit,” he grins at me as he winks.

 I hold my breath as my heart flutters. He just insulted me, and yet- I am still so attracted to him. What is wrong with me?!

“I’ll be right out,” The shadow shouts back, and the God turns to leave, dropping my heels on a bar stool. 

“What’s your name?” I blurt out without even thinking. This must amuse him because he turns around and looks at me, running his fingers through his hair.

“It’s Damon.” He says casually, not even asking for mine. He then turns back around and disappears through an office door in the back. I stand there without words when a voice knocks me back into reality.

“Hi, you’re here to dance?” A man’s voice comes from behind me. I plaster a smile on my face and turn back around- this is it. This either allows me to feed my siblings, or we go hungry. 

Failure is not an option.

“Yes,” I begin to say but gasp as I recognize the manager, “Mike!? Mike Clody?” I ask, taken back. He was the most popular guy in my class but also a player- it would make sense that he works here.

He stops and stares at me momentarily, my name not coming to him. I mean, why would it? I was the smart kid, the nerd. I wanted to be a doctor, and he wanted to drown in pussy- it looks like one of our dreams came true. 

“It’s me, Jessica Sanders. We literally grew up together. All through grade school, middle school, and high school. I won the seventh-grade science fair- you called me Too-Goodie- Science-Shoes!”

With the nickname out there, he begins to laugh, and then he smiles, “Jessica! Yes, I remember you!” he exclaims.

Yes, that’s all I need. This is my in.

I smile, “So, you manage this place now?” I ask, looking around, and he nods.

“Yep, my best friend Damon owns the place, so he asked me to manage.”

DAMON OWNS THIS CLUB? Fuck, maybe I am screwed. 

“Oh,” I stifle out, surprised, and he smirks.

“I know he is tough around the edges, but he is a big marshmallow.” I nod in agreement but not in the way he thinks- He’s a marshmallow, one I’d like to eat. “So, you’re here for a job? I thought you were going to be a doctor or some shit?” he says, looking into my eyes.

Holy shit- he really does remember me.

I tuck my hair behind my ears, “I was...I mean, I hope to be someday, but” I stop as tears well in my eyes. This is a job interview, I can’t cry! 

“My parents died a few months ago, and I got custody of my little brother and sister.”  Mike stops, smiling; his face goes to shock immediately, “I’m going to level with you, Mike. I really need this job, please. Can you help me out?” My voice is frantic, but I am being honest. 

“Uhm, yeah. I’m so sorry to hear that. Well, let’s see your moves.” This has become awkward. I didn’t want to cry or even mention my parents, but I know him- Kind of. 

“My moves?” I blurt out, and he nods.

“Yes, this interview is an audition. You need to show me what you can do.”

The word audition echoes in my head, and the empty cupboard flashes across my mind- I can do this. “Up here?” I ask, pointing to the stage. Mike nods, and I climb the stage steps, barefoot and nervous.

 I had always dreamed I would take my clothes off for Mike, but I could never have imagined it would have been like this. 

“It’s okay. Get comfortable. If you want, I can get naked too,” he jokes, and I giggle nervously like a hyena. Music begins to play, and I grab the button on my jacket, channeling any sexy I have…

Here we go…