Right now? Not so much.
His face is flushed, and I can smell the wine wafting off of him in waves.
“Reverend Philip. What are you doing out here instead of in there?” I point to the seafood restaurant.
The tall, muscular man flashes an off-kilter smile and stumbles as he takes a step closer to me. “I don’t want to be on a date with that girl. I’d rather take you home for a date.”
When he reaches out to touch me, warning bells signal in my head. I swat his hand away, and he has the audacity to laugh. “Oh, don’t be like that, Emma Jane. I’ve seen you looking at me from the pulpit. Don’t act like you don’t want me the way I desire you.”
His slurred speech combined with his audacious words have me taking baby steps backwards. That is, until I’m flat against the brick wall of the restaurant.
“Stop this nonsense, Reverend. You’re drunk. We should probably get you home.”
“I’ve loved you for a long time, Emma.”
I cringe at his use of just my first name. That’s reserved only for Knightley.
“No, you haven’t, Reverend. You don’t know me at all, and you only think you like me.”
He laughs condescendingly then runs his finger down my bare arm.
“I’m very much in love with you. Have been since I first laid eyes on you three years ago. Come home with me.” He takes another step forward, so I duck around him and head for my car. Once I’m in with my door shut, I crank it.
Or I try to.
The engine grinds, and then the leering man appears at my window, shouting something about letting him take me home.
My insides have grown ice cold at this point, and I have half the mind to bolt into the restaurant and have Marcus and Henrietta take me home. But they looked so sickeningly happy, and even if I wasn’t a fan of Marcus to begin with, I’m definitely his number one advocate after this show the reverend is putting on outside my window.
And I know that the reverend won’t actually hurt me. I think.
But regardless, I’ll need help stopping him and, well, I’m sort of stranded at the moment.
The elders WILL hear about this.
He knocks on the glass, and I grab my phone, dialing the one person who I know is currently in town and will come to help.
After two rings, he picks up.
“Emma Jane? You know I’m on a—”
“Knightley.” His name comes out of my mouth heavy and breathy. “I need help.”
“Where are you?”
“Outside of Perry’s Seafood. The reverend is here, and he’s drunk, and he’s trying to touch me and—” Hepounds on my window once more, shouting obscenities and looking angrier by the second.
Maybe I am in trouble, but how do I get out of here without him getting me?
“I’m on my way.” Knightley’s voice is sharp. I keep him on the phone with me, hearing him tell Mallory that he has to go, loud footsteps, and then a muttered curse. “I’m blocked in. Can’t get to my truck.”
I try to crank mine again, but nothing.
Then I hear nothing but a loud static noise in my ear interrupted by what sounds like heavy breathing.
“Knightley, is everything okay?”
“I’m coming, Emma. Hold on. I’m running as fast as I can.”
