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My sto The second those snaps popped open, nuladly take it, because I have anotherand that vest wasn’t the last thing that needs to hit the stage if I want this job

And so I push away the catcalls and shouts as I continue with my well-practiced moves and I let my mind drift elsewhere To the valleys of Tuscany, where I could run a small vineyard To the African hills, where I could watch lions bask in the hot sun; the Swiss Alps, where I could fly through the air on a snowboard I don’t kno to snowboard Butthe strings of my bikini top, to let the scrap ofmy brsts to the cool, air-conditioned roo on a private beach in the Maldives

I’e

Anywhere but in e-- as the rush of adrenaline fades--that I’hup I just stripped on a stage I just stripped in front of a club full of men They may not have touched me, but

I have the bikini top on in seconds and yet I feel the need to curl er were here, because I sure could use her friendly coht now

By the looks of the black-haired wo at et it froe before, have you?" Her eyes skim my body as I quickly do up the snaps on my vest

I take a deep breath to steady the wobble inone eyebrow atbites e, thinking that Iokay but I wasn’t I reeked of a to burst out in mortified tears before I can control it

I will not cry in front of her, or anyone else

"Next up isChina!" Terry’s voice calls out over the system as the first notes of "Like a Prayer" comes on With a smirk, the woman--who I assuht the urge to stickdown the steps, andmy way out into the bar area, when I realize that I didn’t pick up a single bill off the tip rail "Shit!" I curse, tears now scorching my eyeballs I just stripped for free A trip to hellfor nothing!

I blink several ti in the middle of a strip club and, when I’ve refocused, clear-eyed, I see a fistful ofbouncer, in front of me "HereYou may want this" I’m not sure if it’s because I just stripped in front of a crowd or the conversation with that bitch--who is now stalking around the stage like she owns the place--or the way this guy is s at me, but I just stand and stare at hiht in shining arather my wits Ben waits patiently while I do "I’m sorry That was stupid ofa "thanks" as I accept the wad of bills "Wow"

"Yeah, you did well for your first night" He takes in ?"