Free Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker (Death by Cupcake Book 1) by D.E. Haggerty Page B

wear it, and you will go
up on that stage and totally rock! In the meantime, I’ll be doing some
investigating so we can save your job. You know, the one that you spent the
last ten years studying and preparing for?”
    I want to scream and shout and fight her, but I don’t really
see what other option we have. I suppose we can sneak out the back door, but
then we’d have to come back at some point as this is our only lead. Mr. Creepy
#1 and Mr. Creepy #2 might not recognize me – a chubby girl with boring brown
hair. But a tiny pixie with bright pink hair? I shake my head and put on the
darn outfit.
    The school girl skirt is beyond short. Does it even count as
a skirt if your underwear is visible? Thanks to naughty thoughts concentrated
on Ben and where kissing him might lead, at least I’ve got one of my few sexy
pairs of undies on. My black satin bra and panty set with pink edging is
probably tame for the usual patrons of this place, but it’s all I’ve got. On
top is a short-sleeved white blouse. At least it covers up the girls.
    Anna takes one look at me and shakes her head. She undoes
all of the buttons on the blouse and ties the ends together under my breasts.
“There, that’s better.”
    “I’m practically naked,” I hiss.
    She shrugs. “It’s a titty bar. I think they want to see
tits.” She takes off my glasses and places them in her pocket. Then, she
reaches up and takes the band out from my ponytail and quickly finger combs my
hair.
    “Hey!” A man enters the dressing room, and I nearly hit the
ceiling when I jump at the sound of his voice. The door was open the entire
time I was changing. OMG! He could have seen everything. “What music you want?”
    “ Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses,” Anna answers before
I can even process the question. He nods and takes off without another glance
at me or my outfit. Guess he’s used to seeing naked or nearly naked women
running around here all the time.
    Anna pushes me out the dressing room door towards the back
of the stage. The man is standing in front of a massive sound system. He looks
up as I approach. “All ready whenever you are.”
    I gulp and nod. He smiles. “You’ll be fine.”
    “Just do the routine from class,” Anna whispers as I slowly make
my way up the stage. At least I don’t have to worry about tripping on my heels
since I’m barefoot.
    The familiar notes of Guns N’ Roses starts, and I move to
the pole. I can do this. I take a deep breath and wait for the first words of
the song. My head starts to bob with the drumbeat and then I’m off. I’m
actually doing this. I’m swirling around the pole. I’m concentrating so hard on
remembering the routine we learned in class that I don’t have time to be
nervous. I think I may even flip my hair a few times.
    The song finishes, and I stop to catch my breath. I start to
escape but am stopped by the man who I assume is the manager. “What’s your
name, babe?”
    No way I’m giving him my real name. I desperately search the
room for inspiration. “Miller,” I say when my eyes lock on the beer taps.
    “When can you start?”
    “What?” I scrunch my eyes in confusion. 
    “We’re short staffed at the moment. Lost one of our best
dancers.” Dolly was one of their best dancers?
    I snort and pretend to be the stripper they’re interviewing.
“What’d she do? Get pregnant?”
    “Nah,” he shakes his head. “Got herself killed.”
    “Oh my!” I say with fake shock and put my hand over my
heart. “I don’t know if I can work somewhere dangerous.” Where is this coming
from?
    “No worries,” the other man says and waves his hand as if to
dismiss my fears. “She wasn’t killed here.”
    “Did she take a John home?” I do another snort. At least I
hope it sounds like a snort. It’s really hard to fake a snort. “She should know
better.”
    “Honey, the woman was a pro. Don’t you worry your pretty
head about it. You’re perfectly safe with us.” Now I really want