“It’s not that kind of course. It’s a pole fitness qualification. Although, you don’t technically need a qualification to teach it. But for insurance, it’s best to have this.”
“That’s fine with me,” Emily tells me.
“Me too,” Gabby announces.
The other two girls nod too. “So how would payments work?”
“I’m not going to take anything from you. We’re hoping that in time, the class itself will pay for the equipment.”
“And you want to pay us to teach it and let us use the room for free?” Gabby asks, her lips pinching together.
She watches me for a moment, her expression saying it all. She’s trying to work out if she’s being conned or not. It does sound too good to be true, but long-term, this is a good business move.
“I’ll start paying wages once I see the class is going to be successful,” I explain, before moving on to her next concern. “As for the room space being free, I have staff that use the gym after closing time. This will just be four more members of staff using the equipment after hours.”
She relaxes. “When would you like us to start?”
“If you come in Monday, I’ll have some paperwork for you to fill out. Landon will have a team in straight away to fit the correct equipment. Then it will be a case of having a health and safety guy come in and check it’s all okay. Once that’s done, we’re clear to start. Have a think about how much you want to charge for your classes and try to come up with some promotional material to bring in on Monday. Then we can start advertising the class. You’re free to use the space as much as you like once it’s all set up, as long as you make sure you teach two nights a week.”
Harriet steps forward. “We ran the idea by a few friends of ours and they are all up for attending too. I don’t think filling the class will be an issue. It’s going to be us finding the time to teach more classes so everyone can book in.”
“If it’s something you want to do, then I’m open to any ideas.”
Gabby tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “There is one thing I’d like to mention.”
“Go on,” I encourage.
“Privacy. We understand this is a unisex gym, and you have men come and go. If any of the lessons are taught in the day, we ask that men are kept away from the room.”
My brows pull together. “I’m not following.”
Harriet rubs Gabby’s arm. “We’d prefer it if people didn’t know we were actually strippers. At the club, we have anonymity. No one has ever recognised us outside of the club because they don’t see past our disguises but that could change once they know we are strippers. They’ll notice things they didn’t see before.”
Understanding hits me, and I quickly rush to reassure them. “No one here will ever know, and neither Landon nor I will never refer to you as strippers. You have my word.”
She relaxes. “Then we have a deal. We’ll come by Monday and fill out the forms. I’ve also got some promotional ideas I can put together by then.”
“If there are any expenses, let me know and I’ll reimburse you.”
Gabby grins suddenly. “I’m really looking forward to this.”
“Let me see you out then,” I tell them, heading back into the gym.
We come to a stop where Charlotte’s belongings are in a pile. “Thank you for doing this, Charlotte.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she replies.
“Yes, you did. We would never have found this place had it not been for you.”
Charlotte waves her off. “I only asked for rent space. He came up with the rest.”
Harriet addresses me next. “We really are grateful.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply. Emily quickly grabs Harriet’s arm, the blood draining from her face as she stares over my shoulder. “Everything okay?”
She gulps, pulling her gaze away from whatever has her attention. “Who baked you the cake?”
I grin. “Charlotte.”
“Oh God,” she whispers.
“Fuck! But we liked him,” Gabby whines.
“What?” I ask, feeling out of the loop.
Charlotte chews on her thumbnail, turning to the gorgeous cake she baked for me. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Hey, Charlotte, can you come look at this butt plug for me?” Gabby asks, and I heave out a breath at the blunt question.
“Of course,” Charlotte replies nonchalantly, heading over to her and gazing down at the phone.
Harriet rushes to my side. “Normally I don’t warn people because sometimes it’s best to just let them experience it, but we like you. We’re grateful you helped us.”
Olivia nods. “Don’t eat the fucking cake.”
“Why? There’s nothing wrong with it.”
I’m kind of offended on Charlotte’s behalf. These are meant to be her friends.
“That’s what makes them so deadly,” she whispers, checking that Gabby is keeping Charlotte distracted,
“Just trust us. Don’t eat it,” Harriet warns.
I nod, but I have no plans to listen to them. The cake smells phenomenal and it looks to die for. And I don’t normally binge on snacks.
Charlotte takes a step away from Emily. “Hey, guys, do one of you mind dropping me back home? It’ll save Drew the trip.”
“I don’t mind taking you,” I rush out.
She smiles sweetly at me. “I don’t want to keep putting you out.”
“I’m good to drive you,” Harriet assures her. “We can drop you off first, then Emily.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte tells her before reaching down for her hoodie—well, my hoodie.
From the corner of my eye, I watch as Harriet stops scanning the hoodie to eye me once more, putting two and two together. She ducks her head as a sly smile tugs at her lips.
“Six thirty Saturday?” I remind her.
“It’s a date,” she tells me, and pink rises in her cheeks. This time, it isn’t from exhaustion. “I mean, not a date, date, but a non-date.”
I chuckle. “I know what you mean.”
“You two are so cute together,” Emily announces out of nowhere.
“We aren’t together,” Charlotte rushes out.
“Wow, talk about friendzone a guy,” Harriet mumbles, glancing away.
“I mean, we’re together now, but in a few minutes, we won’t be. We’re friends. Of course we are. I mean, I’ve not specifically asked if he’s—”
“Charlotte, we’re friends,” I assure her.
She groans, closing her eyes. “I’m going to go now. I need to feed my pussy. She probably wants to be played with too.”
Emily, who was taking a swig of her Pepsi, sprays it everywhere, her eyes wide as she stares in horror.
“I bet,” Harriet teases, struggling to hold back her laughter.
Olivia, on the other hand, isn’t shy and bends at the waist, loud guffaws echoing around the room. I’m sure she just snorted.
My shoulders shake as I wait for Charlotte to click on, but she’s too busy stuffing her towel back into her bag.