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“That’s Winter. It’s best to ignore them. They fully plan to exaggerate about how much I’ve talked about my cool British friend,” Derek said with a grin, then gestured to the blonde woman across from him. “And this is Delilah, my bestie that you have heard about many, many times.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Percy offered.
Winter’s face lit up with a grin. “You’re right. His accent is adorable.”
Percy flushed and plopped into his chair, his eyes cutting down to a barely touched charcuterie board. “I thought this was an English pub.”
“In name and theme alone,” Delilah said, winking. “I think Derek would die if he had to sit at a table with peasant food.”
“Rude,” Derek said with a sniff. “I totally ate canned tuna the other day with Percy.”
“He didn’t,” Percy corrected. “He was starving and turned down the tuna until I offered him something else.”
“Traitor,” Derek hissed, and everyone laughed.
Percy’s anxiety settled into something small and manageable, and as he glanced around at everyone’s smile, he thought maybe—just maybe—things were looking up.
The feeling lasted exactly one hour and fifteen minutes, until a man sauntered over and, without even asking, laid his hand against the back of Percy’s neck. Percy went stiff all over as the guy leaned over and smiled.
“Derek.”
Derek grinned. “Hey! Percy, this is Dan. He and I used to work together years ago.”
Percy tried for a smile, though it felt like a grimace, and he fought the urge to shake Dan off him with extreme violence. “Pleasure.” He looked across the table at Winter, who was giving him a calculating look.
“What brings you by?” Winter asked.
Dan’s grip tightened. “Saw a new addition to the group and wanted an introduction. What’s your deal, Percy?”
Percy hated the way Dan said his name. It was slimy, and while he knew it was an attempt to be charming, it made him feel ill. “Just having a night out with some friends. In fact, I was just about to leave?—”
“Don’t do that. You should let me pull up a chair and get to know you.” Dan let go, and Percy was finally able to breathe as he walked off.
“Dan’s great,” Derek said, slapping Percy on the arm.
Percy took a breath. “I, erm…I was being serious. I really do need to go.”
Derek was obviously a little drunk because his eyes were glassy, and he leaned right into Percy’s space. “You can’t. I’d be the worst friend in the world if I didn’t wingman you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Percy said in a rush. He glanced over at Winter, then at Delilah, but they were engrossed in a whispered conversation and didn’t look up when Dan appeared again with a chair.
He set it down too close to Percy, and when he slid himself into it, his hand found Percy’s thigh, and he squeezed. “So. Percy. Cute name. Tell me about yourself.” His hand slid higher, and Percy flinched.
“Actually, I just need to pop to the loo.” He all but flung himself out of his chair. “I’ll be right back.” In a damn near run, Percy breathed out a sigh of relief when he found the bathrooms were single stall. He stepped in, snapped the lock shut, then pressed his forehead to the wood and took in a shaking breath. He had no idea why he was so worked up.
Dan was probably just a forward sort of guy who was used to being handsy, but all Percy could do right then was remember his ex and how Evan used to ignore what Percy wanted. How he’d laugh when Percy was uncomfortable and take what he wanted because he never, ever let Percy say no.
And he never, ever apologized.
He couldn’t take the risk of that happening again. Not with some stranger who meant nothing to him. He didn’t know if Dan was a nice guy or not, but it wasn’t worth sticking around to find out.
He fought back a wave of nausea as he washed his hands, then splashed water on his face. In the mirror, he looked a little wild and wide-eyed, but he could blame that on the half glass of wine he’d had.
“Just go out there,” he told himself. “Put money on the table, thank them for a good night, then leave. You don’t owe anyone anything. Just go.”
Percy wasn’t sure he was going to manage all those steps, but he had to try. He patted his pocket to make sure he had his wallet, then finally unlocked the door and stepped into the hall. He half expected to find Dan waiting for him, but there was just the dim light and a long stretch of tile toward the emergency exit.
He took a few breaths, then started toward the brighter lights of the lounge. He could still hear Derek’s booming laugh, so he knew no one had made a scene, and he tried to conjure a bit of bravery when he came to a skidding halt at the sight of a very familiar face standing at the bar.
