Chapter9
Regina walked into the strip club with a wide smile on her face and a lightness to her step. Garrett saw it in an instant. He held his arms out to give her a hug and when he let her go, he looked down at her with a raised brow full of questions.
“To what do we owe this blissful state?” He drawled happily. “Is your world no longer crashing down?”
She bit at her lower lip and reached for his hands, taking them into hers. “It is no longer crashing down.” She told him, wondering how she was ever going to tell him that she was leaving. He was one of the most loved people in her life.
He studied her face and spoke with a kind voice. “You’ve gotten some other kind of job that will take better care of you than this place could?”
With a slow nod, she answered him. “I did.”
Garrett sighed and she saw a sad smile on his face. “Well, of course you’ll be leaving here, but hopefully you’ll be heading on to greener pastures, and you’ll be well looked after. I don’t want you to feel bad about leaving. You have worked hard here, and to be honest I don’t think you were ever paid what you were worth, but your pay scale wasn’t up to me. I’ll be so sorry to see you go, but I’m so glad that it’s because you’re going to something better. I always want better for those who I love, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Garrett.” She replied as tears formed in her eyes. She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“So, who is it you’re leaving us for?” He asked with a curious smile as he reached for a bottle of champagne and poured some of it into two glass flutes.
She laughed and sat on one of the barstools at the bar. “Well, you remember the rich guy? Carrington?”
He looked at her in utter amazement. “Oh my god…” he began as he set the champagne bottle down near her and came to sit beside her, handing her a glass of golden bubbly. “You didn’t! You’re going to take that fake bride job and marry him?”
Regina nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am. I’m surprised by it too, but I guess he was the real deal and he really is looking for someone to marry him so he can get his inheritance. I don’t mind doing it. In fact, he took me out shopping today and we were all over Fifth Avenue. I don’t even drive down that street because it’s so expensive.” She laughed at her joke.
Garrett whistled long and low. “Well you’ve just fallen into a tub of butter, you have. I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“I know that.” She told him with a grin. “That’s why I’m so glad to give you this gift.” She reached into her purse and took out a card in an envelope. She handed it to Garrett and watched as he opened it.
He smiled at first, but his eyes widened as he opened the card and saw a stack of one hundred-dollar bills inside it. He blinked and looked up at her. “What’s all this?”
“It’s a thousand dollars. I don’t want you to worry, I can afford it. I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done for me. You’ve been a good friend, and I wanted to share some of my good fortune with you and give you something to help you along. Sort of pay it forward. Spend it on bills or spend it on something completely frivolous and fun. Whatever you want.” She grinned at him and gave his shoulder a pat.
He shook his head in awe. “God honey, I just don’t know what to say! I just… this is the nicest thing.” He sniffed and closed his eyes, willing himself to hold back a few tears. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a good hug.
“Okay now I think I want you to spend it on something frivolous, but that is up to you.” She winked at him.
He laughed and wiped at his eyes. “Well, I’ll be honest, there are a pair of white vinyl go-go boots I’ve had my eyes on for a little while and I’m just dying to have them. They’re beautiful.”
Regina chuckled. “Then go get them, and I want a picture of you in them, though not too racy.” She winked at him and he nodded.
“Oh girl… you have no idea.” He laughed with her and they toasted one another with their champagne, wishing each other the best of luck.
“I thought I’d give you a week notice, that way you’ll have time to find someone else and I can train them so you don’t have to.” She said with a small smile, watching her friend as he read the card again and dabbed at his eyes once more.
He shook his head, looking back at her. “No, we’re going to be fine here. Jenna was asking for more shifts and this way I can give them to her. She wants to switch to the night shift anyway, and there were a couple of girls coming in looking for a job, so I can put one of them on days and have Jenna train them. It will be fine. You’ve paid your dues here and then some, so let’s call this your last night. I’ve got a rock-solid reference for you if you ever need one, though I doubt you ever will.” He gave her a wink and they both laughed a little.
“Are you sure? I feel like I’m leaving you shorthanded, and I don’t want to do that.” She offered once more.
He held his hand up and wouldn’t hear of it. “No, no, honey. You just go get ready for your new life, and invite me to the wedding. Even if it isn’t real, I still want to be there.”
“I wouldn’t do it without you.” She promised him happily. “Even though it isn’t real.”
“I wish you all the luck in the world, however this works out for you. You deserve it, my darling.” His eyes glistened again.
“You’re the best, Garrett. I’m keeping you forever.” She hugged him once more and they finished off their champagne. He kissed her cheek goodbye, and she left the strip club, knowing that she would not ever go back to it, and feeling more relief than nostalgia as she looked in the rearview mirror of her car and saw the building growing smaller in the distance, vanishing as she turned a corner and left her past behind her, heading into the new life waiting ahead of her.