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I huff. “I’m actually really good at games.”
“I am better,” he says. Even his eyes appear to be laughing at me.
“So you think.”
“Know.”
“I thought I’m supposed to stay away from you,” I counter.
“You should stay away. Doesn’t mean you will. Something tells me you like to do what you want.”
I take a half step back. “How would you have inferred that?”
“You’re the only one who has left a posh party to bathe your feet,” he says with a straight face, pointing at my damp toes.
I burst out laughing. As much as I can with a confining outfit. I suppose that is true.
I step into my heels and regret not drying my feet off first. Water droplets trickle from my calves and settle at the tops of my ankles.
His eyes stare through me, and I instantly feel naked. It’s as if he is studying me. Judging me. I smooth down my skirt just to have something to do with my hands.
“Nice meeting you,” I say, as I turn to walk back into the building to find Claire.
“You forgot this,” he calls out behind me.
I pivot and see my handbag dangling from his extended hand. Of course. I walk back to Mystery Man and retrieve my bag. As I step backward to walk away, I see a bubble form from his lips. The watermelon smell is so strong. I watch it pop.
“Yum,” he says with eyes full of mirth.
Thief. Who does he think he is going through my personal items? I am relieved that there is nothing more in there than candy, lip gloss, and my phone. But still!
If I stay out here any longer, I might not have the willpower to leave. Or I might just hit him.
I hurry back through the open doors and nearly knock over Claire.
“Where were you? I was looking for you.” Her animated hands are all over the place. “I ended up drinking your drink after you didn’t text me back. It’s going to be your fault if I leave here drunk.”
“I didn’t hear my phone. I was just getting some fresh air,” I answer honestly. “Then I ran into some man.”
“Who?”
“He is out there,” I say, turning around to point out the doors to the patio. I look around the pool and outdoor furniture. But Mystery Man is no longer there. “He must have gone inside another way.”
“What was his name?”
“He never said.”
“Weird.”
“This entire night has been weird,” I admit.
“Come with me. I want to introduce you to a few men who might be interested in going on some dates with you.”
I try to hold back my groan. I cannot handle another awkward encounter. I’m becoming more and more doubtful that this job would be a good fit for someone like me. I am way more introverted than Claire. And way less experienced. But I need the money, so I follow her obediently into the main room.
Claire makes her way toward a group of men standing near the bar. They appear to be in the age range of thirties to fifties. My stomach starts to turn. I count backwards from one hundred to try to distract myself enough for it to settle.
“This is my best friend, Angie,” Claire introduces me.
