“Thanks, but I’m going to take the bus.”
As a woman—especially one with a disability—I am extra cautious about my safety. Too many people try to capitalizeon the opportunity, and with my limited vision, I’m often at a disadvantage. Even with the self-defense workshop Catherine and I took last year, I have a policy not to get in a car with a man I don’t really know. That includes rideshares and random English professors from the university.
“Alright… I’m going to settle my tab at the bar. Goodnight.”
I offer a polite nod before scooping up my blazer and purse. Leaving the bar, a shiver runs up my spine from the sharp difference between the balmy inside and the cool November night air. The bar’s muffled music quiets as I walk toward the bus stop down the street.
Locating the bench, I take a seat. Besides the distant laughter, it appears I’m the only one at the stop. Slipping my phone out of my purse, I pull up the bus schedule. My screen reader’s robotic voice reads out the schedule, letting me know the next bus comes in thirty minutes.
“Awesome.” Annoyance sighs through me.
This night just keeps getting better. While I’m grateful to live in a city with public transportation, it does mean I’m at the whim of its schedule. I should be curled up in bed all warm and cozy with an audiobook. Not sitting on a bench. Cold and alone.
Brow furrowed, I dig into my purse. “Damn it, where are my earbuds?” My mutter comes out whiny.
This night just goes from bad to worse. I spilled a drink on myself. Argued with Garrett. Ditched him and Anker to flirt with Miles, who left me at the bar for another woman. Serves me right to not be able to distract myself with an audiobook. Instead, I get to stew about my poor decisions.
“What are you doing here?”
Blinking, I look up. “What areyoudoing here?”
Fuck my life! Tonight just got worse…
3
MILE THREE
COME WITH ME
Garrett Fucking Marlowe.The dim light of the streetlamp bathes him in a yellow glow. His tall, broad body is outlined in the velvet night like one of those shadow daddies from a steamy romantasy. He is darkness in the light, or light in the darkness. Either way, right now, I’m a fizzed-up soda can of emotions in his presence. Both relief and annoyance collide inside me at his unexpected appearance.
Of course he shows up ten minutes after Miles ditches me. My humiliation wouldn’t be complete without an audience, especially one that called this possible outcome.
Sighing, I flick my wrist toward him. “Why are you here? Are you stalking me now?”
“Nice to see you too, Jensen.” A smirk is audible in his deep timbre. “I left my phone at the creamery. As I was leaving Marie’s, I noticed you here. Why are you at the bus stop?”
“How else does one get home when one doesn’t drive?” I roll my eyes.
He steps closer to the bench. “Where’s literary fuckboy?”
“Not here.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.
“So much for having you,” he says gruffly.
“So much.” Mouth tight, I twist away from Garrett, letting my vision fix on the lit neon sign across the street.
The distance doesn’t allow me to make out the fuzzy letters, but it’s better than looking at Garrett. Even if I can’t see his face, I can picture the I told you so scowl he’s likely wearing.
“What happened? Did he do something?”
Despite the agitation wafting from Garrett, I don’t turn to look at him. It’s bad enough knowing the mix of smugness and pity that will likely twist his features once he learns how very right he was about Miles. Aching embarrassment already threatens to make me cry, and that’s the last thing I want to do right now—especially in front of him.
“Nothing happened.” I rub my temples. “He didn’tdoanything.”
Isn’t that the issue? Miles didn’t do anything, and I waited too long to make my move.
Did I, though?I wasn’t exactly subtle about my intentions. Even if I never said, “How about we move to the lovers’ portion of our friends to lovers story,” Miles isn’t obtuse. Even my boss Andrew clocked my crush after Miles’s first pop into our office.
