“It suits you.”
“I’m not sure if I should be offended you compared me to a poisonous flower.”
“You shouldn’t be.” There was a long beat of silence. I wasn’t sure how to continue after that. “So, what’s your book about?”
“No.” I groaned.
“Is it dirty?”
I didn’t answer.
“How dirty?”
Still didn’t answer. He gasped again.
“Miss Violet, are you reading porn?”
“I would be, if you hadn’t called! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting forthismoment? And you’ve ruined everything. He just saw all her scars.”
“Oh? Then what happens?”
“I don’t know! I’m talking to you.”
“I’ll let you get back to it, but I expect a full debrief that next time I talk to you. Every detail. Don’t leave anything out.”
That was quite possibly the hottest thing anyone has ever said to me.
“I might talk for hours.”
“Good.”
No. That was the hottest thing anyone had ever said to me.
How was I supposed to get rid of this stupid crush if he kept saying things like that to me. And giving me a nickname?
I was in trouble.
11
THE VOLUNTEER
I actually leftwork when I was supposed to this evening. Still, it was dark when I stepped out onto 55th. I went straight for the subway on 50th. I waited five minutes for the train, five minutes on the train, came out on 47thand 44th, and headed for Crossroads to meet Eva.
She had three bartenders working with her. Probably because it was packed. I had to fight my way through a ridiculouscrowd to get to the bar. She saw me right away, and gave me the universal sign forI’m going to be a minute—though, I imagined she was probably going to be multiple minutes.
I fought my way back out of the crowd and looked for anywhere I might be able to grab a bit of space. A hand grabbed my wrist; I turned to find a guy about the same age as me.
“Hey there, beautiful. Come here often?” he yelled above the music.
“That’s your line? Try something original next time.”
I tried to pull my arm free but his grip was like iron. He grinned, revealing crooked and yellow teeth.Ew, dentists are a thing, dude.
“Let me buy you a drink.”
I think the fuck not.
“No thanks.”
