She parked in the employee zone. None of the cars were particularly fancy, not even the one she knew to be the owner’s. Grabbing her bag and making sure there was nothing in the car, Autumn headed inside. Some of the regular patrons glanced her way and smiled; a few even whistled or cat-called. Her cheeks flushed. Even after all this time, it was hard to get used to.

The girl who went by the moniker “Candy” was fixing her make-up. She smiled at Autumn before heading out but neither of them spoke. It didn’t take her too long to change and fix herself up. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she was amazed at how different she looked.

No time to wonder at it for too long though. Autumn took a deep breath and emerged, casting sidelong glances at the patrons as she moved towards the bar. “Take this to the gentleman over there,” the bartender said, jerking his head towards a man sitting alone at a table in the shadows not too far away.

Silently, she took the cup and headed towards the person who had ordered it. “Here it is!” she declared, trying to make her tone cheerful but not too grating. “Anything else I can do for you?” she asked. There was an expectant smile on her face. Her eyes widened when the man shifted to glance up at her. It was the man from the bus!

He seemed to recognize her too. Both of them blushed and their features were transformed by wry smiles at the vagaries of Fate. “I don’t do this often,” he said instantly. Autumn glanced around quickly, making sure that she could spare a moment or two, maybe several, to talk with him.

The young woman chuckled, letting the seductive mask she wore drop as she took a seat. He seemed relieved. She was too. It was much easier to simply be herself and not have to pretend to love the life she lived when she didn’t.

“I’ve never seen you here before,” she said, sliding into the seat across from him. Some of the regular patrons glanced askance at her. Very rarely would she favor someone with attention like that, even the better-paying (and better-looking) men.

“How long have you been working here?” he asked.

“A few months,” she admitted.

“Forgive me, but you seem so young-“ He paused abruptly and blushed once again.

“You really don’t do this often do you?” she asked, pleased that he seemed interested in more than what lay underneath her clothes or what she would do and for how much. He shook his head. “And yes, I am, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. You understand?”

“Well, not really,” he said. She couldn’t help giggling at that. “But I get the gist of what you’re saying.” He leaned back and peered intently at her face, something she appreciated. Her outfit made it quite easy for his gaze to shift elsewhere and get an eyeful.

“You really don’t like working here, do you?” he said. It was her turn to shake her head vehemently.

“And why did you come here?” she asked.

“Well, I just wanted to get a drink, you know, at the end of a long day, and I heard this place was good,” he said.

“Is it?” she asked. He seemed to be relaxing more and more in her presence, even winking at her.

“I’d say so,” he said.

“You haven’t even tried the drink yet,” she pointed out. The young man rectified that instantly, taking a sip. A moment later he set the glass down and gave a satisfied sight.

“Yep, definitely good. I am Aaron,” he announced, extending a hand for her to shake. She accepted it and shook it warmly.

“My name is Autumn,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” And that wasn’t something she’d said to a patron of the establishment… ever.

“The pleasure’s all mine,” he murmured. His gaze was still fixed on her face and it was her turn to blush. Aaron seemed amused by that, which rankled a little bit. Silence fell for a moment. Autumn couldn’t think of a way to respond to that. Aaron tilted his head and narrowed his eyes slightly. None of the other patrons ever looked at her that way; it was as if he was trying to see straight through her. And who knew- maybe he could.

“I need to get back to work,” she said apologetically. It was true, her boss was giving her a rather pointed look. Rising, she smiled. She rose and turned away but before she could take a step, Aaron placed a hand on her arm and offered her a business card.

“It was nice talking to you, Autumn. Here’s my card. I’d love to hear from you again,” he said with an earnest smile. How could she resist? She returned his smile, which seemed to please and relieve him, as she accepted it, tucking it away. Autumn chuckled as she blushed and turned away.

The brief encounter with Aaron carried her through the rest of the night. Her phone never rang, something she interpreted as a good sign. She could feel his eyes on her even when there other much more attractive and experienced girls on stage. It was flattering. Despite the circumstances of their meeting, she found herself hoping she would run into him again…

Autumn’s good mood vanished when she headed home. That wouldn’t be a good idea. If Dr. Suresh was right about her, things would be unsettled for a very long time. Her mind was incapable of processing anything except one truth that blazed and refused to die. Her life had already been turned upside down once, with finding out she was pregnant. What would happen the second time around?