Page 6 of Smokey's Distraction
“You staying at a hotel?”
She shook her head. “The firm has a house in town.”
“Nice.”
“Hey, Whitney, can you grab me three bottles of Coors?” a man asked.
Whitney flashed a toothy grin. “I guess I better get back to work.” She glanced at Ashley’s half-filled tumbler. “Lemme know when you need another one.”
“I will.”
“I love your top,” a voice next to her said.
“Thanks,” Ashley said as she looked to her right.
A blonde woman with blue mascara smeared to the edge of her overly plucked eyebrows smiled at her. “Where’d you get it?” The young woman leaned toward her.
Ashley shifted slightly on the stool. The blonde’s floral perfume mingled with the scent of alcohol and tangy barbecue sauce.
“Here you go,” Whitney said as she put a basket of wings drenched in a bright red sauce in front of the woman.
“And another Coors light.”
“Got it.” The bartender glanced at Ashley. “Are you still good?” She nodded and Whitney dashed away.
“Did you get your top online?”
Ashley shook her head. “No, I bought it at Macy’s.”
Confusion spread across the patron’s face. “There’s a Macy’s in town?”
“I don’t think so. I bought this in Denver. I’m not from here.”
A grin spread across her face, revealing partially crooked teeth. “You’re a tourist? How do you like our town?”
“It’s nice. I didn’t expect this place to be so crowded.” Ashley shifted again when the guy next to her jabbed his elbow into her shoulder.
“Blue’s Belly’s usually like this, especially on the weekends.” She picked up one of the wings and pointed it at Ashley. “Want one? They make the best wings in the county.”
“No thanks … I’m not hungry.” Truth be told, she never was a fan of chicken wings, and at that moment, the pungent scent of the sauce and the woman’s strong perfume were making Ashley a bit nauseous.
“What’s your name?” The blonde asked before wiping the sauce off the side of her mouth.
“Ashley.”
“I’m Diamond. It’s rare that I get a Saturday night off, so I’m planning on having a real good time tonight.” She brought the beer bottle to her lips and took a long drink, her gaze running over Ashley. “Have you ever danced?” she asked as she put the bottle down on the counter.
“You mean on a stage, like ballet or a musical?”
Diamond busted up laughing as tears formed in the corner of her eyes. “That’s a good one.”
Poking her tongue lightly into her cheek, Ashley inhaled a long breath and then slowly exhaled. “I didn’t realize I was making a joke.” She glanced at the stage, hoping the first band would start soon and end the conversation between her and Diamond.
“You look pissed. I’m sorry—I didn’t mean anything bad by it. I was just picturing myself in one of them short frou-frou dresses on stage.”
“Uh-huh.” Ashley nodded, her gaze still fixed on the musicians setting up.
“I’m an exotic dancer.”
