Instead of going to dinner at Monet's house, I picked up a shift at work. I was a bottle girl/bartender at 'Truth' nightclub in Brooklyn. It paid enough for me to live and the tips were bomb even on 'slow nights.

"Lauren you got a V.I.P requesting your service." Dominque said and I nodded as she put the bottles on my tray, and I went up to V.I.P

"Hello, I'm Lauren I have your-" I stopped when I saw Michael smiling up at me, I rolled my eyes and placed the drinks on the table

"This is the one?" one of the guys with him asked and he nodded

"If you need anything else please let me know." I said dryly then  they gave me their orders and I walked away

"Lauren, Lauren wait." Michael caught up with me at the stairs

"I'm working." I said trying to get pass him

"I'm sorry, I was out of line that night.... Can we just talk?" He asked

"You had no business putting your hands on me, end of conversation. Like I said I'm working so can you move?" I said then he stepped to the side, but he grabbed my hand and placed some money in it"

"Mike- "

"Just tipping my waitress." He said then went back to his table, I looked down it was at least $200, it wasn't going to change how I feel but I for damn sure is keeping it. I tucked it into my bra and went back to work

At the end of the night, I was on my way out when I was stopped by the boss himself James St. Patrick.

"Lauren, right?"

"Yes sir."

"You had a hell of a night I got lot of compliments on your service."

"Thank you."

"So, listen I'm having a party here next week for Loretta Walsh she's-

"Running for governor I know." I said and he nodded

"Anyone working that night will have to vetted so I'm gathering my best staff, would you be interested?"

"Um I don't know. What night is it?"

"Thursday."

"Oh, I have class early Friday morning, but I could come early and help set up though."

"Alright I get it education first, I'm going have Dominique send you the time." He said and I nodded

"Thank you." I said then I left and caught a cab home

_______________________________________________________________________________

I was getting ready for my class when someone knocked at my door. I sighed I had to leave soon, or I was going to be late, I opened and frowned when I saw Michael standing there holding roses.

"Oh my God you need to stop." I spoke

"I will once you accept my apology."

"I accept your apology." I said and he held out the flowers I hesitated then took them

"Will you go to dinner with me tonight then?" He asked with a small smile I sighed

"Please."

"Fine what time?"

"I'll be here at 7, do you want a ride to school?" He asked

"No Myia is picking me up."

"Ok I'll see you later." He said then leaned in, but I pulled back

"Bye Mike." I said then shut the door

_______________________________________________________________________________

"So, what are you going to do?" Myia asked me as we charted

"I don't know I'm going to go to dinner with him and get it over with." I told her and she looked around to make sure no one was listening

"And have you talked to Cane?" She asked and I rolled my eyes

"I have nothing to talk to him about."

"Ok but you know he's going trip when he find out about you dating."

"I'm not worried about him; he had no problem fucking around while we were together."

"You're probably the only person who can say that they're not afraid of Cane Tejada." She said and I laughed

"I've seen every side of Cane to be afraid of him."

"I get you don't owe nobody anything. When I met you, you were wifed up with Cane. Then you turned into a hermit, when he got locked up, then you started dating ole boy and I can tell you not really feeling him."

"I like him." I defended

"But he's like in love with you, and you just stringing the puppy a long to get over Cane." She said and I gave her the side eye, but she ignored me as our friend/classmate Jazmine stormed over

"Ohh girl if I have to empty one more funky foley, I'm going to snap." She cried

"That's what you get for being late, you know Miss. T don't play that shit." I told her

"I know but it was worth it. I was getting some good, good." She said and we laughed

"Who is this new mystery man, you been tripping for weeks."

"All I'm telling you is that his name starts with a T."

"Well don't let Mr. T trip you up we're graduating in two months and you've been slacking a little lately." Myia told her and I nodded in agreement, she already missed two days of clinicals this week alone

"I hear you, but I got this I promise."

"You better we promised we'd finish this together." I told her. I met Myia three years ago when I started my prerequisites and we've been riding ever since. We got into the nursing program together, where we met Jaz and our other friend Sasha, and we made a deal to finish it together

"I hear you, but did you get our booth for this weekend Miss. Thing?" She asked me

"Yes, we are booked for this Friday at 'Truth' we need to be there by 10."

"Ugh why so early?"

"Because that's one of the busiest nights and the only reason Dominque is holding it for me is because I work there."

"Fine I guess I need to find out what I'm wearing tonight then." She said and I shook my head

"Jazmine?" Miss. T called

"Yes ma'am?" She asked standing up straight

"783 needs to be changed." She told her and she frowned then walked over and I went back to my work before she got me