Robby’s smile faltered. “Wow. I thought you’d be a little more excited. Cute place here, where you’re working. Your dad would love to see it.”
“Em!” Randy, my coworker, stood by the flip-up bar door with a heavy bucket of ice, eyeing me, desperate for someone to open the counter for him.
“Coming,” I told him, holding up a finger to Robby.
Randy gave me a once-over as I flipped up the door. “You good?”
“Yeah, friend from home.”
I turned to go back and meet whatever battle Robby was here to start, but Randy tapped my shoulder.
“Holler if you need me,” he whispered.
I nodded and whispered back, “Thanks.”
When I got back after helping Randy, Robby had found a spot on a stool and was staring at his phone like it held all the answers. Or nuclear codes.
“Sorry,” I told him, but I wasn’t. I’d needed the space and the quick break. A month ago, I’d wanted to give him my virginity. Now I found solace in my coworker having my back over any potential blowback of Robby showing up unannounced.
The initial surprise was starting to wear off, and still ... none of my old feelings for him rushed back. Nada. Zip.
“Want something to drink?” I asked Robby, sliding a menu in front of him.
“I have an ID,” he whispered.
Shaking my head, I told him, “It’s fine, no one will check. This is Astoria. We serve drinks and make money. We don’t police people unless they’re falling over drunk or beating the shit out of someone.”
“Beer, whatever you have on draft.”
I pulled him a draft and set it on a coaster in front of him.
“Your dad’s worried and wants to see you,” Robby said. “He wanted to come with me today, but I told him I’d check in. You should come home. Give up the ghost, make peace. Paula isn’t a part of your life.”
“No,” I said firmly, busying myself so I didn’t need to meet his eyes.
“Emerson, your dad knows he was too strict, that he caused you to run off. But it’s only because he cares. Go see him. He wants to make amends. He needs to tell you that he wants us to be together. To give us his blessing. Then we’re good.”
Stunned, I finally looked up. “Blessing? What, are you crazy? This isn’t some arranged marriage. We’re high school sweethearts. I wanted to spend the night with you, but I also want to find my mom, and as luck would have it, I’m close. I have some leads.” Glaring at him, I added, “You and my dad can’t decide my life for me. I’m not some slab of meat hanging in a butcher shop.”
“You don’t need to find her. I’m the steady in your life. Your dad’s the steady. What else do you need?” Robby reached out and took my wrist in his hand, his grasp a little tighter than I liked.
Pulling back, hard, I wanted to ask him where this was coming from, but we were interrupted. And I started to think I might need Randy.
“Hey, leave the lady alone.”
The voice came from somewhere close by, and it wasn’t Randy’s voice. It was Price.
“Shit.” This time I didn’t keep the obscenities inside my head.
“Mind your own business, dude,” Robby said harshly to Price.
“This is my business. Em’s a friend.”
Robby stood and puffed his chest out. “Is that so? Well, she’s my girl.”
“I don’t give a shit. This absolutely fuckingis somy business.” Price stood tall, no chest puffing required, throwing Robby’s words back in his face.
Robby turned to me. “Emerson? Care to explain?”
