All people going about their lives. Enjoying themselves. Doing things that normal people did. I’d been like that once. Just four months ago, actually, although most days it felt like a lifetime ago.

My eyes burned. All things I couldn’t have.

Dammit. I sniffed. Feeling sorry for myself was a waste of energy.

I reached Ember, the name glowing in gold neon above a set of beaten-gold double doors. Reggie stood out front. There was only one bouncer on this early, and another would join later as it got busier, in addition to the security inside.

The handsome black man smiled at me. He was built like a linebacker. “Hey, Mila. Ready for a busy night.”

“Always.”

He waved me through.

It always felt like stepping into sin. Everything was done in luxurious black and gold. The floor was polished black, and one wall held a row of gold urns almost as tall as I was. Lights strobed across the dance floor. The long bar glowed with golden light, and off to one side was the roped-off, VIP area.

My favorite thing, though, was the ceiling. I glanced up. It was covered in a sea of gold flowers. It looked as though if a breeze blew in here, they’d all flutter down on us. It was totally the kind of club I would have liked to spend time in.

As I passed the bar, I called out hellos to the bartenders already prepping for the night ahead. I punched the code into the door leading to the staff locker room and wasted no time stashing my bag in my locker.

Showtime. It was Saturday night in New Orleans, and soon, the club would be hopping.

When I got back to the bar, Venus, the head bartender, appeared. She was mid-forties, tall, with her curly, black hair cut very short. Her halter top showed off super-toned arms I’d kill for. She could make any cocktail a customer asked for, and managed the customers with an ease that I’d never, ever have.

“Mila, you’re behind the bar tonight, but if the servers need help on the floor, then you’re up.”

“Got it.”

“And you’re okay to close tonight?”

“Yes. Happy to.”

She blew out a breath. “Great, because Bryce has this dance concert tomorrow. First thing in the morning.” She was a single mom to two boys. “If I can at least get a decent amount of sleep, I’ll be mostly functional for it.”

“I’m happy to close any time you need me, Venus.”

“It’s appreciated.” The woman cocked her head. “Been working on any new cocktail recipes?”

I smiled. “Maybe.”

Venus nodded. “Good. You have a knack.”