My eyes were fixed on my wine glass on the table inside Oasis. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been staring at it, but it was long enough that I’d tuned out the guy sitting across from me while he talked.
Jason was a landscape contractor I’d met, ironically enough, while at the Callahan beach house. I’d stopped by to check on the refinished flooring, and he’d been working on a project at the house next door; he came over when I was walking to mycar, introduced himself, and asked if I’d like to go to dinner Saturday.
I don’t know what the hell possessed me to say yes because I wasn’t in the right headspace for a date, but I did. Even worse on my part, I let him pick me up instead of driving myself and meeting him.
I was regretting both of those decisions now.
The behavior change was gradual, but as dinner went on, the mask he was wearing fell away, and his brash and arrogant colors started to show. Served me right, I supposed.
Needless to say, I was over the date, so when the waiter came over and asked if we wanted anything else, I declined and asked for the check.
As we walked out of Oasis, I pulled my phone from my purse with the intention of requesting an Uber. He slung his arm around my shoulder, and I casually shrugged it off and stepped away from him. “Listen, thank you for dinner, but I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Well…” He smirked, taking a step and wrapping his arm back around me. “I thought we could continue this when I took you home.”
I squirmed away from him and laughed uncomfortably. “Nope. No, that’s, uh, that’s not happening.” I sent out the request for the Uber. “I’m just gonna wait over there. Again, thanks for dinner.” I turned and started down the sidewalk.
“Come on, babe. If you don’t wanna go to your place, you can come back to mine.”
“No thanks. Andstopcalling me ‘babe.’”
“What’s it going to take to convince you?”
“There’s literally nothing that could.”
“But, babe, the night’s far too young to be over yet.”
I rolled my eyes. “And you’re far too dumb to take a hint.”
“What was that?” he asked derisively.
When I didn’t answer, I felt his hand grab mine. I whipped around, ready to snap, but before I could open my mouth to speak, someone stepped between us and shoved Jason back.
“I believe she’s made it clear she’snotinterested.”
My eyes went wide as they traveled up the length of the body now shielding me, instantly recognizing Wes’s voice.
“Pretty sure this doesn’t concern you, pal,” Jason spat.
“I’m not your fuckingpal,” Wes growled. “Now get the hell away from her.” Jason tried to side-step, but Wes quickly blocked his path. “Did I fucking stutter?” His voice raised, pulling the attention of a few bystanders.
“Screw thisandyou,” Jason huffed, pointing a finger in my direction before turning and stalking off.
Wes kept his back to me for a moment, watching him walk away before he turned to face me. When my wide eyes met his green-eyed gaze, my heart clenched. “Are you alright?”
“Where thehelldidyoucome from?”
Wes chuckled. “Is that any way to say thank you?”
“I am perfectly capable of handling myself?—”
“Looked like it,” he teased with a nod.
“But I appreciate the assist, nonetheless.” I continued to stare up at him. “Thanks…”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “So…a date?”
I swore there was an underlying hint ofsomethingin that question. “Yeah. A bad one, if you couldn’t tell.”
