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I received a letter from an attorney to appear at a stranger’s house. I’m here with everything I own in the back of my car. I’ve got no money because my asshole of an ex swindled me, and now I have to start off on my own, and I’m really hoping for a miraculous turn of events at tomorrow’s meeting.
I smile. “Just decided I needed a change of scenery for a while. You?”
He leans over the bar and brushes his thumb over my hand that’s curled into a fist. I shiver uncomfortably and tuck my hand in my lap.
“I’m here for a one-night stand,” he says in a low voice only I can hear. “I’m told I’m good in bed. I’m safe, I use protection, and I’m a very generous lover.” My stomach churns. Well, then. So much for foreplay and subtleties. “Join me tonight?”
“I—I can’t do that,” I tell him honestly. I have less than zero interest in a one-night stand with a stranger, especially someone who looks at me the way he does. “I do thank you for the pizza and drink.”
His smile turns deadly. “Surely you’re not telling me no?”
“That’s what she said,” the bartender says with a cool smile. “And here? We always make sure a lady’s no is well-respected.” She leans across the counter. “Got it?”
He cuts his eyes to her but doesn’t respond. The food sits heavily in my stomach. I try fruitlessly to follow it with a solid swig of my drink when ice hits my lips.
I feel as if I’m going to be sick. Did he put something in my drink? No, the bartender’s been watching him like a hawk and would’ve realized it. I imagine it’s just my nerves.
I have to get out of here, now.
“Your restroom?” I ask her.
She points to the far corner of the room where a neon restroom sign indicates the way.
“Thank you.”
I am out of here. I’m gonna find an exit, slip on out, drive far away from this place with its beautiful people and predatory scumbags, and go. Somewhere. Anywhere. He said he’d pay for my food, so he can do just that.
My hand shakes when I push open the door to the bathroom, but I quickly glance over my shoulder to make sure the guy at the bar—I don’t even know his name—isn’t watching me. He’s looking over his shoulder the other way. I take my chance, and run for the back door with the exit sign.
Something tells me he’ll follow me if he sees me. My hand fumbles with the doorknob, but thankfully it’s unlocked. I step out into the cool night air, and quickly shut the door behind me.
I make a quick mental inventory of where I am. To one side, large plastic crates are lined to the roof, and further back, a full dumpster stands high and tall. A black cat slinks past me, but other than that, there’s not a soul out here. Not one.
My heart sinks when I see the parking lot is a good walk away from here. I keep my head down, my chin tucked onto my chest, and walk so fast I’m nearly running. I don’t know why some rando hitting on me at the bar makes me feel so sick to my stomach. It happens all the time, probably literally every night here, and I doubt that anyone in there would even think twice about someone hitting on me.
I might be starting over, I might be starting fresh, but I did not work my ass off for years for nothing. I know who I am, and I will not cower.
Ever.
I take out my keys, my hands trembling. I don’t have one of those fancy lock things, just a regular old key, but it gives me a measure of comfort to have it in my hand. I draw in a breath as I turn the corner and walk straight into a wall of man chest.
“There you are.”
Fuck. He followed me. Not only did he follow me, he went around so he’d catch me.
I step back, real fear clawing at my belly at the look in his eyes that’re no longer hooded. His eyes are narrowed on me, and he’s pissed.
“You followed me.”
“You left me. You took the drink and food and ran.”
“Let me go.” My words come out so much weaker than I planned. I open my mouth to scream, but I’m not sure who would hear me back here.
“Let you go?” he asks, stepping even closer, his hands out in front of him as if he’s innocent. “No one’s holding you here. Why are you acting like I am?” I step to the right, and he deftly blocks me. Step to the left, and he’s right in my space.
I gather up my courage. “If you don’t get out of my way and let me go to my car, I’m going to hurt you.”
