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“Yes.” He nodded. “It means whoever the fuck that guy is, he’s making her uncomfortable, and she needs us to call her a cab and get rid of him.”
“He’s had her hand in a vise grip since they sat down.” Delaney’s eyes dropped to the way the guy still had her hand clutched on top of the table, and she shivered. “How do we get her away from him without making it obvious?”
“Did they order anything else?”
“Burgers and a couple of beers.”
James turned to her. “You feel safe going back over there?”
She was surprised he was thinking about her safety and comfort right now, but she nodded.
“Okay. Take them their beers and tell them her angel shot is on its way. See if that prompts her to get up and head for the bathroom. I’ll make sure he leaves. Delaney”—she paused on her way to the bar to ask Mike to fill the drink order—“stay away from that guy until he’s gone.”
She gave a weak smile before pushing through the swinging doors, James right behind her. Mike poured the beers, eyes darting to the couple while James explained the situation. When they were ready, she pasted a smile on her face and carried them to the table.
“Your burgers shouldn’t take long, and your angel shot is coming right up. Let me know if I can get you anything else.”
Delaney held the woman’s gaze before turning away.
“I think I’m going to use the bathroom,” Delaney heard the woman say right before the scrape of a chair against the hardwood.
At a look from James, Delaney veered off course and headed for the bathrooms, following the woman inside in time to see her leaning both palms against the counter, head hanging down between her shoulders.
When Delaney stepped all the way in, the woman jumped as if she’d expected the man to be standing right behind her. If he had, Delaney wouldn’t have been surprised.
“We’re going to take care of him. Are you safe?”
The woman nodded and then burst into tears. “I just met him online last month. Right before New Year’s Eve. He came on so strong and so fast, and I didn’t know how to stop it.”
“Does he know where you live?”
The woman shook her head. “No. I always had him pick me up from a random address near my apartment.”
Smart. Even though this woman would beat herself up about letting this happen, however briefly, she’d eventually realize her instincts had been right all along. Next time she’d be more likely to trust them instead of brushing them off. At a noise from the pub, they both jumped. Her date didn’t seem interested in leaving quietly.
“What’s your name?” Delaney asked to distract her.
“Kylie. Kylie Reynolds.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Kylie Reynolds. Do you have someone you could maybe stay with tonight? Just in case?”
Kylie nodded and dug her phone out of her pocket, punching in a number and holding it to her ear. “Hey, Dad. Do you think you could come pick me up from this restaurant in Center City? Yeah, the guy I’m out with is a real jerk.” She laughed even though tears gathered in her eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”
She ended the call and pressed her fingertips to her eyelids. “He’s on his way. God. I feel so stupid.”
“You shouldn't,” Delaney said, placing her hands on Kylie’s shoulders. “Don’t tell yourself this is your fault. Men like that are good at pretending, at making you doubt what you see and what you feel. Now you know better for next time.”
Kylie smiled through her tears, and they both flinched at a knock on the door.
“He’s gone.” James's voice was warm and strong, an anchor in her sea of nerves. “I need an address so I can call a cab.”
Kylie moved to the door and yanked it open, flinging herself into James's arms and hugging him tightly. “Thank you so much. I called my dad. He’s going to come get me. I’ll pay for the food.”
“You won’t. It’s on the house. You can eat at the bar while you wait for your ride.”
Swiping at a tear that escaped down her cheek, Kylie wandered off toward the bar, and Delaney was alone with James in the narrow hallway. They both spoke at once.
“That was—”
