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I’d worried for nothing as Royce didn’t give me any static about paying.
Just one more reason Ilo-like him.
Our server comes to our table, taking me out of the thoughts I have no business thinking.
As she lists the specials and the various substitutions we can make, I watch Royce… while he gazes at… well, her name tag says “Susan” but to Royce, it might as well be “Magnet,” because he hasn’t stopped studying her face.
At least he has good taste. Although, I find her makeup a bit too ‘nightclub’ as it’s really piled on thick. Still… underneath all that paint, Susan is a beautiful woman.
I pretend not to notice how Royce continues to stare at her as he places his order of Vegetarian Cobb Salad and Pellegrino with lime. His attention never waivers from our server when I place my order of a veggie burger with smoked cheese, onion rings, and a side salad.
Susan/Magnet asks if I want a drink with her slight Southern drawl. I decline. If I get one, I just may throw it in Royce’s face. She leaves with a click of her pen and Royce follows her sashaying hips until she enters the kitchen.
Fed up with his boorish behavior, I stand, excusing myself to the restroom.
Royce gives me a quizzical look, but I don’t give him any answers as I walk away with my head held high.
Once in the restroom, I deflate like a balloon as I wash my hands, over and over.
Being with a guy like him (for however long we are together) situations like these will arise. How can I think a man like him will be faithful to one person? I mean, he has it all.
Looks, brains, brawn, and money.
Just like Matt. And look howthatturned out.
I’m repeating the same pattern, and for what? Only to get hurt again down the road?
Not that Royce and I will ever make it down the aisle. Hell, we probably won’t make it for the next hour. I swear, if I hadn’t promised to pay, I’d toss him his rental car keys and Uber it out of here.
Prick can drive himself to the airport.
I turn off the water and dry my hands on a paper towel. Before throwing it into the trash, I use it to pull the door handle back to keep my hands clean.
Just like my mind.
Thoughts of Royce and I doing the dirty before he leaves no longer flit across it. In their place is me wondering how I can avoid an ugly confrontation.
I’m bereft of answers as I trudge back to our table, staring at my feet while I count the tiles. I have to look up to avoid running into a passing server...
And would you look at that?
Royce standing with his hand on Susan’s shoulder. A shoulder that he’ssqueezing.
A silent rage overtakes me even as my heart stutters. I haven’t felt this angry since my wedding day.
And all over the same type of shit, too.
That Look
Royce
Shetookgreatcarein protecting her secret, but I see what she is trying to hide. Working with abused persons, whom the Grayson Foundation strives to protect, I’ve become adept at noticing the signs.
Like the defeat in her eyes, even as she smiles. The downward slope of her shoulders, which carries a burden too great for her to bear. The way her hip twitches when she walks as she tries to hide her limp, and under her makeup, is a bruise on her right cheek, bigger than the Lone Star State.
This woman is being abused.
Sin leaves for the restroom, giving me a chance for a one-on-one with the server. When she comes from the kitchen a few seconds later, I call her over with a wave of my hand.
