Page 71 of Arran's Obsession
“Like I said, she didn’t mix with us. I can ask around, but I never once saw her come here, and in all the conversations about her, uh, end, no one said they knew her personally.” Dixie finished blending and moved on to my eyes.
My shoulders slumped. “Well, that’s a dead end. I was hoping she’d have acquaintances in the same job. Someone she could’ve confided in.”
Dixie pulled a sad face. “Maybe she only had you.”
God, surely not.
It made me think harder. I needed another approach. Dixie drew on cat eyes that suited me so far beyond anything I’d ever tried myself, and I started over.
“What about clients?” I said. Dixie worked on the sex side as well as dancing. “Cherry told me a few things?—”
“Stop. Not here.” Dixie shook her head, loose curls flying.
“You can’t…” I dropped my voice, cluing in. “You can’t mention clients?”
“Not in terms of whatever you’re about to say. As murder suspects? People are listening, hun,” she whispered back. “And by people, I mean gossips. You and I can have that chat, but not here or now. I need to hit the stage, and we’re about done with your face if you finish your lips yourself. Find me upstairs tomorrow evening, and we’ll grab a private room. I’m working ten PM till seven AM. Grab me before.”
“I’ll find you. And thank you for this.” I gestured to myself.
“It’s no trouble. You’re such a doll. No wonder he didn’t even cop a squeeze of my fine ass. Gotta go.”
With a grin at Lara’s outraged huff, Dixie slipped away, and I sat back, relieved to have that conversation ahead of me.
A short while later, I was transformed.
My hair tumbled down my back in loose waves, and my eyes were smoky grey with my lips cool-pink. I was pretty certain I’d never been this hot and told Lara so.
She waggled her eyebrows. “Clothes, next. Whatcha got?”
I gave an embarrassed shrug. “Very little, and nothing that would suit the club. Everything with Arran happened so fast, and I haven’t even been home since.”
Lara stepped away. In a minute, she returned with a black tube dress, an underwear set with the label still on it, and even a pair of pink heels that matched my lipstick.
“Anything you need, we’ve got it. There’s a whole store of clothes, new and pre-loved. Anyone here can help themself and add to their own rack.” Proudly, she offered her findings then pointed out a screen to change behind.
The secondhand clothes from Arran’s friends came off me and the new set went on. All except the bra. The tube dress was tight enough to support me, and I had a moment of utter joy at seeing myself in it. There wasn’t anything that special about me. I was mid. Unexceptional. But that was the point of a makeover, and I’d been made up beyond my wildest dreams.
I stepped out, and Lara did an exaggerated jaw drop.
“Hot freaking stuff,” she informed me.
I stepped forward on the pink kitten heels. “Are you sure? It’s not too revealing?”
Passing me with her boobs completely out, one of the dancers burst out in a laugh then jiggled for effect. I laughed, too, loving the moment I’d found with them here.
Cherry would’ve loved it. The piece of my heart that had broken for her panged. I wished she’d have taken up their offer.
Lara took my arm and patted it. “Are you okay? Where did you go?”
I snapped my focus to her. “Nowhere. I mean, just to my friend. I miss her.”
Lara tilted her head in sympathy. “Aw, I get it. I cry at the good news stories I read. Don’t get me started on actual tragedies.”
One of the men who’d left for the dance floor, then returned for a costume switch, gave a small smile. “My cousin died a month ago. I didn’t really know her as an adult, but we were friends as kids. Every time I think of it, I get cut up.”
An Asian woman fitting a luxurious wig gave him a one-armed hug. “I lost my dog last Christmas, and I know it isn’t the same as a person?—”
“Dogs are family, too,” the man corrected.