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"Fuck him."
"I agree. Anyway, he started throwing these fits at the office, and eventually my boss decided he'd had enough of both of us and fired us."
"That's fucked-up. Did you try suing?"
"No. After everything, I didn't want to work there anymore."
“And you can’t get this fucker off your back?” Maddox asked.
I laughed. "You sound like Jake."
"He knows about this?"
“He knows who Vince is and that he tried to contact me." I sighed heavily, finally somewhat composed. "Could we keep this between us? I don't want to worry him."
"I think he'd like to know," Maddox said in a measured tone.
"Yeah, I think he might too, but honestly, I don't want to waste any of our time together talking or even thinking about Vince."
"He didn't seem like he was going to back off."
"Once my predecessor comes back, I won't be here, and hopefully he won't be a disturbance for you. I'm really sorry he showed up."
"This isn't about him being a disturbance to me, Natalie. It's about the fact that he's basically harassing you. This is not even remotely okay."
"I need to think about that," I admitted. "I figured he’d give up if I didn’t engage, but I’m beginning to understand that won’t happen. "
"Are you sure you don't want to tell Jake?"
“Yes.” My time with Jake was limited, and I didn't want Vince to spoil it.
"As you wish," Maddox said. Disapproval dripped from his voice.
"Maddox, I don't think Vince followed us. I can just get out of the car at the next red light."
"I'll take you to my grandparents’ house."
"You don't have to do that."
"Come on, I insist. You've had a shitty day and an even shittier evening."
"Thank you, Maddox.” Since I didn't get to go to the lunch on Saturday, they invited me today, and I was beyond excited. At least I was before Vince showed up.
We spoke about the next event for the rest of the route. Usually I was excited when I shared details, but today I couldn't muster up any sort of enthusiasm.
When we arrived, Jake was already there. I hopped out of the car quickly. Jake frowned, looking at Maddox, who immediately drove off, nodding at Jake as he passed by.
"Everything okay?" he asked. "Why did Maddox drop you off?"
"I was the last one in the office, and he's apparently a gentleman, just like you." It wasn't a lie exactly, just not the whole truth.
"Is everything okay? You seem upset."
I sighed. "The caterer bailed for the party on Friday, so I've had a hell of a day." Again, not a lie—but not the whole truth.
Jake looked at me and nodded. "Come on, let's go inside. Grandmother probably cooked up a storm."
When I went inside the house, it smelled delicious. "Oh my God, did she make stuffed zucchini?"
