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“Another vodka martini!”
Neil was clearly still not ready to leave the restaurant, even though Willow had finished eating about thirty minutes before. Clearing her throat as the server brought him over his vodka martini, Willow got to her feet.
“I don’t appreciate you taking my car.” Keeping her voice low and firm, she put both hands on the table and looked across at him steadily. “I’ll be taking your limo over to wherever my car is, and then I’m going home.”
To her disgust, Neil only chuckled. “You don’t have to be so sensitive. I thought it would be a nice surprise. You know, carry on the date somewhereyou’dfeel more comfortable.”
The sting of his insult flattened itself across her cheek. “No, I don’t think so. Like I said, I’ll be getting my car and going home. Thank you for the dinner.”
She didn’t give him a chance to argue but walked straight out of the restaurant, leaving Neil to sit in his seat with his vodka martini.
“The limo?” Catching a flash of sympathy in the valet’s eyes, she waited as he quietly called the driver to bring the car around.
“I apologize. We were assured that you were aware of this.”
“I see.” Willow gave him a small tight-lipped smile. “Next time, you should probably check with the lady herselfbeforeyou take her car somewhere else?”
The valet’s dark eyes held hers for a long moment, then he dropped his head and sighed. “Yes, you are absolutely right. The truth is, we were wondering what a girl like you was doing with him. His pick-up lines usually have him offering young women a ride on his boat. Most of them don’t hang around here for long. They eat and leave.”
“Like what I’m doing, right?”
A grin flickered across his mouth. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“We met online, and his profile wasn’t exactly accurate.” She shook her head, thinking about how different Neil was in person from who she thought she was going out on a date with.
“That makes sense.” His jaw tightened. “Just another way to get unsuspecting young women to have dinner with him.” When the limo arrived, he was the first to hurry toward it. Opening the door for her, he waited for her to climb inside but didn’t close the door right away. “I apologize. You’re right, I shouldn’t just have taken his word. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he can’t follow you.” Holding out her car keys to her, he gave her a small smile. “If you would ever like to come to eat with us again, I’m sure I can convince the restaurant manager to offer you fifty percent off your bill as an apology.”
She narrowed her brows at him. “Seriously? Fifty percent off? Do you realize what you did? I could probably sue the restaurant for this. You can’t just take someone’s car. Lucky for you, I just want to get home and forget this night ever happened.”
“Again, I am so sorry.” Closing the limo door, the valet patted the top, and the driver immediately pulled away.
Willow threw her head back against the seat and blew out a long breath of frustration.
I’m not sure I can do this. What if my next date is even worse?She kept her eyes closed as the limo drove back toward Windy Lake. At least the date was over. That was the only good thing about the night.I wonder if Asher is having more success.
The silence in the limo was soothing after Neil’s loud and obnoxious conversation, and Willow slowly found herself beginning to relax. Her shoulders dropped, her body softened, and her breathing finally became a little steadier.And it’s not like I’m going to have to see Neil again. Not that he’ll mind, since he’s got all his celebrity friends.
“Here we are, miss.” The limo driver pulled the car up to the curb, got out, and came around to open the door. Willow’s eyes opened, and she looked out the window.Finally.She didn’t think Windy Lake had ever looked so good.
“Thank you.” Clutching her keys, Willow got out of the limo and began to look around for her car. The limo was parked opposite the bar that Neil had obviously planned to take her to, but the only thing Willow wanted was to go home. Her phone buzzed, and Willow picked up the call.
“Asher? Are you okay?”
He chuckled. “I’m fine, I just wanted to make sure thatyouwere okay. Did you manage to get away from your date?”
“Yes, I did, but only after I found out he’d taken my car keys and had it driven back to Windy Lake.”
“What?” The anger in Asher’s voice was unmistakable. “Are you serious? Where are you? I’ll come and get you.”
“I’m okay, Asher. I’m okay.” Willow smiled. “Thank you, though. There’s more to explain, but maybe we can talk about it another time. Right now, I just want to go home.”
“Okay. I’m glad you’re back safe.” Relief softened Asher’s voice. “Are you sure you can get home okay?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. My car’s nearby. I’d better let you get back to your date.”
The way he laughed made her frown.Something’s not right. Why would he laugh about his date?“Asher?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Willow.”
