“Tell me,” I said, “how do y’all two know each other?”

“From work,” Audrey said.

“Don’t tell her,” Danielle said to Audrey.

“Don’t tell me what?” I said.

“Yeah, don’t tell her what?” Audrey said.

“You’ll freak out,” Danielle said to me.

“No, she won’t,” Audrey said. “You’re being paranoid.”

“Fine,” Danielle said. “There’s this guy named Brandon, he works at the cable access channel, Mediasource. He’s a filmmaker and he does programming and stuff. We work with him on private projects. We’re models.”

“She’s so weird about it,” Audrey said. “We’re not models, but they call it modeling. It’s for a porn site. Videos.”

“You’re porn stars?”

“We’re not stars,” Danielle said.

“Speak for yourself,” Audrey said.

She tossed her hair and pursed her lips, arching her back in a pinup pose. I laughed.

“Wow,” I said. “How does it work? You fuck people and there’s a camera?”

“See?” Danielle said to Audrey. “She’s freaking out.”

“I’m not freaking out,” I said.

And I wasn’t. I wasn’t even surprised.

“What’s it like?” I asked Audrey.

“It’s a job. It’s work. There’s a lot of waiting around, stopping and starting. The guys take forever. Or the Viagra wears off.”

“Yeah,” Danielle said. “And you have to look perfect no matter what.”

“You have to try not to look bored,” Audrey said. “Even though it’s really boring. Mostly, anyway.”

“It’s easier than dancing,” Danielle said. “At least you always get paid.”

“Plus Brandon’s nice,” Audrey said.

“Yeah, he’s not a douche bag like you’d think,” Danielle said. “He also makes art movies. He’s super talented.”

“You should come to his screening,” Audrey said. “He’s showing one of his experimental films next week. There’ll be a reception. Free booze.”

“Sounds cool,” I said. “What’s the website called?”

“Can we talk about something else, please?” Danielle said.

“Come on,” I said.

“SweetDreamz,” Audrey said. “With a Z. SweetDreamz.net.”

“It’s a dumb name,” Danielle said.

“So what?” Audrey said.

“I am totally looking it up as soon as I get home,” I said, teasing.

“Come on, don’t,” Danielle said.

“Oh my god,” I said. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I won’t.”

“You should, though,” Audrey said.

Danielle rolled her eyes. “Enough. We have to go. We’re meeting people for dinner.”

I wondered if she was running away from the conversation. I decided not to bring up her job next time we met.

“Well, it’s great to see you,” I said.

“Me, too,” Danielle said. “This was fun. I’ll see you at the screening?”

“Sure,” I said. “Text me the details.”

Audrey rose and smiled.

“Bye,” she said. “It was nice meeting you.”

Danielle got up, swinging her handbag onto her shoulder. She left the envelope of cash on the bar.

“Hey, you’re forgetting this,” I said, picking it up. It was soggy with condensation from her glass.

“Keep it,” she said.

“No. That’s nuts.”

“I don’t need it. I don’t want anything from her.”

I recognized the tone she reserved for Sally, full of contempt. I knew her well enough to let the subject drop. I nodded, put the envelope in my bag, and waved goodbye. At least I’d tried. Not that I minded keeping the cash. Danielle was always weird about money. I guess it means something different when you grow up rich.