Page 78 of Total Exposure

“Who?”

“That man you’re staring at.”

“What?” I laugh it off as I fold my scarf up and place it in my lap. “No. I’m not looking at anyone in particular. Just… you know. People-watching.”

“Ah,” he says. “I like to watch people too. That’s why I come in here alone. You see all types. It’s interesting.”

I take another look at my date, intrigued by his answer. He’s probably a few years older than me. Maybe early thirties. Light brown hair. Bluish eyes. Handsome. He’s wearing a suit, but every man in here seems to be wearing a suit.

“What did you say your name was?” I don’t even know how I get those words out, because as soon as I realize I’ve asked him a direct question, my heart races in a way that scares me.

“Mike,” he says, smiling. He extends his hand again.

I shake it this time, but when I withdraw, he holds on to it. Which forces me to look him in the eyes to see what the hell he’s doing.

“You can take off the gloves too, ya know. Gonna be hard to pick up a sandwich with gloves.”

And he… he starts pulling on the fingertips of my glove. Removing it. Sliding it down my hand in a way that makes me hold my breath.

I pull away quickly, but the glove is off. My hand exposed. He reaches for me again, his fingertips gently squeezing as he says, “That’s better. How about the sunglasses now?”

I jerk away, my hand unconsciously flying up to touch the lenses, as if to make sure they’re still there. “No,” I say. “I have sensitive eyes and I have to wear them when I’m in the sun.”

He looks over to the window, is about to say something about the gray, overcast day, but then simply shrugs. “OK. Well, I’m done. And I gotta get back to work. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Sure,” I say, not knowing why I say it because I don’t work at the fucking courthouse and I won’t be back tomorrow.

“Nice meeting you, Angela.”

I nod my head, but don’t meet his eyes as he gets up.

“And lunch is on me. Don’t worry about it. Thanks for the company.”

“Yeah,” I say, glancing up at him, then quickly averting my eyes. If I can’t see him, he can’t see me.

I want to roll my eyes at myself.

“Bye.”

I nod, so he just leaves, resigning himself to the fact that I’m not gonna chat him up any further.

I stare at my one gloveless, exposed hand for a few seconds, then quickly put the glove back on. The scarf is still in my lap, so I wrap that around my face too.

Finally, all covered up again, I let myself breathe.

I am stupid.

“Did you want this to go?”

I look up at the question and find the waitress holding a plate with my sandwich.

“Um… yes, please.”

She leaves to wrap it up and all I can think about is getting the hell out of here when I suddenly lock eyes with Jordan again.

He smiles at me. Gives me a little wave.

I look away and close my eyes, forcing myself not to panic. Why the fuck did I come here? What the hell was I thinking?